The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1923-10-18
FREIGHT RATE CASES
RE-OPENED by Ice.
NEW HEARING GRANTED MIN
NESOTA AND OTHER STATES
IN JOINT ACTION
LONG DELAY IS FORSEEN
DECISION MAKES IMMEDIATE.
RELIEF FOR WHEAT CROW
ERS IMPOSSIBLE
washington Bureau of the
Pioneer Pressl

washington Bureau of the
Pioneer Press9
Washington, D. c., Oct 16-In-
Sistent demands by farmers and
their friends in Washington for re-
lief from high freights finally have
brought results with the Interstate
Commerce Commission
Tha body today ordered the Kan
sas grain rate case in which Min
nesota and eight other states join
ed, re-opened for further hearings
and at the same time directed on
its own motion an investigation OF
all rates on grain and grain prod
ucts throughout the United States.
The Kansas case involved only
grain and hay rates in western ter
ritory.
The, new investigation will get un-
der way about November l..
In the Kansas case, the commission
held that the records, as presented,
did not show grain and hay rates. to
be unjust and unreasonable but held
forth the hope that with. a more COM
plete case, some action might be had.
This leaves the way clear for Min
nesota, Kansas and the other nearby
states to press their demands further
but it dashes any hopes the wheat
growers of the state might have en-
tertained of getting any immediate
relief on rail rates.
If the pace of the commission in
reaching the decision that it wanted
the case re-opened is any criterion,
it will be many months more before
final word can be had from that
body, after the new evidence and
arguments are submitted by both
sides.
The new move by the commission
covers the entire United States and
all railroads. It involves the ex-
port rate on grain to the seaboard
not tc,l ched in the Kansas case
at all and which those in touch with
the situation believe the commission is
really cunning for" in its new order.
In short, the commission at last
has started the wheels to grinding
on a general rate inquiry as rates
effect grains which has been de-
manded so Justify by the farmers
for the past two years
From the fact that the commission
b
there had not been shown how other
rates could be re-adjusted so as to
meet the loss in railroad revenues,
the new Investigation may be the
start of the long talked of general
re-adjusting of the rate structure.
In its order, the commission says
the investigation is to determine
whether: "grain rates for the future
will be unjust, unreasonable or other
wise unlawful and in such case to
prescribe just, reasonable and lawful
rates.
What goes on inside the council
room of the commission is not sup
posed to be known much more than
the deliberations of the Supreme
court. But it has been open Sec
ret here that the commission was
divided closely on what to do on that
case. A decision was predicted
months ago but it never came. After
weeks and weeks in which the mat
ter hung fire came the double barreled
action of the commission. Some mere
surmise that compromise was
reached.
Coincident with the action of the
commission, although not connected
with it at all, at the White House
President Coolidge conferred at
length with Samuel Rhea, president
of the Pennsylvania railway, over the
general rail situation. An Admins
tration spokesman made known that
Presidezt Coolidge asked> the rail
chief to do two things:
: IL y1no
and other grains could not be reduced
at once and voluntarily by the roads.
To equalize the export and do
mestic rate on coal, residents OF
New England and New York COM
planning that the rate on coal going
through to Canada is much cheaper
than the domestic rate.
Mr.. Rhea said he would look into
both matters at once and report to
the President what could be done.
The majority of the commission, in
deciding that the Kansas case SHOULD
be re-opened and that reduction in
rates could not be ordered on 1 the
showing made, filed a long opinion
attempting to justify such course
Commissioners Campbell and Nc
Chord dissented from this view
Campbell fling a short opinion il
which he declared that the farmer
should be given immediate relief ant
that, if necessary, rate increases
should be made on other than farm
commodities to make this possible
'eThe evidence in this case" Com
missioner Campbell said in his sharl
dissent, "is conclusive that wheat i
being raised at a loss. Itymoyes IT.
market because it has to, but i
moves at loss to, the producer. Cal
the industry continue to function un
der present conditions? Clearly not.