The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1922-08-17

menudtlDns, over Vide held, tnCiud-
Ing advocacy Of a treaty with Canada
looking toward the Improvement Of
the st. Lawrence river, complete
Standardization of freight equipment,
and uniform basis for taxing motor
trucks TO represent "A reasonable pro-
portion Of the cost of highway con-
siructiOn.
Among the findings and recommends
tons made by the commission are the
following. =
That the transportation rates on
many commodities, more especially
the products Of agriculture, bear q
dlsproportionate relation to the prices
Of such commodities; that there
should be immediate reductions In
transportation rates applied to farm
products and other basic commodi-
ties and that reductions in rates upon
the articles OF higher value, or upon
tonnage moving upon so-called class
rates. are not warranted, while the
rates upon agricultural products and
other basic commodities remain at
their existing levels.
That the pyramided per cent ad
vances In rates which have been au.
thorized by the Interstate Commerce
commission or made by the United
States railroad administration caused
the dislocatiOn of long rate
relationships between rates upon agri.
cultural and Industrial products be-
| tWAAn ia. . nj /. .t,riSa
petitlve sections of the country; that
the railroads and the public rate max.
ing bodies should seek to readjust
rates Of the country so as to preserve
50 fur as practicable the general re-
lationship Of rates existing prior to
1918, with due regard to present and
future changes In economic conditions.
Regional Agencies Wanted.
That regional agencies Of the Inter-
state Commerce commission be estab-
lished whose duty 1t shall be to con-
slider and adjudicate questions Of re-
gional application and to cooperate
with the state commissions with
view to minimizing conflicts between
state and federal regulations as to ia
cilities and practices.
In view of the conclusion Of the
international joint commission, the
commission recommends that the gov
eminent enter into immediate negotia-
tons with the Dominion Of Canada for
the conclusion Of treaty for the i'm
provement of the st. Lawrence river.
through commission directed to make
the further study suggested by the in
ternational joint commission, and au-
thorized to proceed with the work II
Its plans. Including plan of financing
shall be approved by congress and the
Dominion of Canada.
Complete Standardization as rapidly
as possible of all freight equipment
except with respect to cubical and
weight carrying capacity.
The unification and joint operation
of facilities at terminals wherever
such unification and joint operation
will result In economy and better ser
| vice.
| Prompt consideration and adoption
of comprehensive plan for central
control and distribution Of freight
cars.
That the several states cooperate
In effecting uniform basis for taxing
motor trucks and other motor vehicles.
which shall fairly represent the reason
able proportion of the cost Of high
way construction and maintenance.
chargeable to such vehicles.
That study be made Of postal
rates with view Of readjustment
OF charges and the removal OF pres
ent rate inconsistencies. /
As to Aid for Shipping. /
The commission makes no recon-
mendation with respect TO government
aid to American shipping, but If gov
eminent aid is given to American ship
ping, II ought to be given in such q
way that the amount of such aid may
be definitely known. and should be
limited to such aid as will fairly rep
resent the difference In capital and
operating cost required by higher
American standards. and more burden
some navigation regulations. compared
with foreign capital, and operating
costs and foreign navigation regula-
tons.
The joint commission on congressiOn-
al inquiry has been at work for about
year and "A half and has from time
TO time submitted reports that go to
the heart of the agricultural interest.
II is too much to expect, however. that
any considerable number of the COM
missions recommendations will be en-
acted into law or will be carried out
by governmental tribunals that have
authority to proceed under existing
law. The Interstate Commerce COM
mission. for instance. Is not likely to
grant any further reduction on farm
products In the immediate future.