The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-22
UNFA AIR DIVISION
 OF JOINT RATES
 CHARGE OF BRENT
lnsldiouS Barriers Erected by Roads to Destroy Missis- Sippi-Warrior Barge
 Service
By Associated r ress

New Orleans. March 21.--Incidious barriers of unfair division of joint rail and water rates, and of unjust terminal exactions have been erected by railroads to destroy the Missis- sippi- Warrior river barge service, Theodore Brent, federal manager of the barge line. declared in a hearing begun today before Examiner R. T. Eddy of the interstate commerce commission
 Mir. Brent occupied the witness stand almost the entire day Tn the hearing of the application of the barge line for an extension of joint rates to all parts of the country and the establishment by the commission of fair basis of division between the railroads and the water The.
 Extension of the joint rail and water rates was urged by Mir Brent IS being the only means of enabling sNppers throughout the country to enjoy the differential established for movement of freight by water on the
 
 pointed out that if the joint rate is extended to the entire country the shipper 1000 miles away from the river will enjoy the same actual sav- ing in dollars and cents as the ship per directly on the river, where both use the stream for the same distance
 When the barge line is working. at fIil capacity Mir Brent said it will te able to carry 2,500.00o tons of freight annually. The 1921 move mert on the Mississippi branch was approximately 45o.000 tons, which was four times the amount of the 1919 tonnage.
 W. II. Chandler. representing the New England Traffic league. came all the way from Boston to attend the hearing, and to spend only a few minutes on the witness stand.
 "If Mississippi valley shippers en- joy differential under the rail freight rates by using the barge line, New England shippers are entitled to the same advantage" he declared.
 P. ". Cole of the St. Louis Cham Der of Commerce argued that not only is river service desirable be- cause of lower costs to the shipper but that development of the coun- ItN wa J \ iS aA AAiAPNAnN hNNN in view of frequent traffic conges- tions on the railroads. This is the past history in rail transports he declared, and when another in crease in traffic comes the railroads probably will be found unprepared to meet the situation.
 Tho presentation of testimony is expected 10 lartsr rta'rouehns't the week.
 Methods of Roads
 In presenting his claims of discrim- ination by the railroads against the barge line Manager Brent described four methods by which carriers seek to evade the rulings of the Interstate Commerce commission. and stifle de- velopment of water transportation.
 One effective method, he declared, Is found in the practice of railroads, where they are compelled to turn freight over at division points, or exacting the local rate from the point of origin. rather than proportion of the through rate.
 Excessive switching charges, he continued, are exacted by many rail- roads on cars turned over to the barge line terminals.
 Refusal of railroads to grant tran sient privileges. where freight Is turned over to the barge lines, is,an- other source of discrimination, he de- clared This operates against the barge line particularly at Birming- ham. Memphis, and other gateways.
 Per diem charges made by railroads a gainst the barge line for delay In the arrival of shipments destined for transfer to the rail carrier Is fourth unjust discrimination, MT. Brent pointed out.
 The barge line is not allowed 70 make charges against the rail car riers, he said.
 Numerous example of unjust dis- crimination of joint rates between the barge line and the railroads were submitted in evidence by the federal manager.
 Cross examination of Mir. Brent probably will consume a large part of tomorrows sessions.
 Defendant railroads today asked for a delay in the case, pleading that they have not had sufficient time 10 prepare their answer.
 Representatives of railroads. Cham bers of Commerce and other commer- cial bodies in all parts of the country are attending the hearings.