Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-16
Should Be Prepared to
Present Case at Feb
ruary Meeting in
Boston
Interstate Commerce Commits.
sion Seeks Fair Re.Adjust.
ment of Class Rates on Rail.
roads East of Mississippi
Congressman Nelson Ad-
yises Course Eastern Maine
Shippers Should Take to Get
Equitable Rates
fspectai TO Kennebec JournaD

fSpectai TO Kennebec JournaD
Washington. y. C.-Investigation
NJ the proposed plan for readjust-
ment OF class rates on the Maine
Central railroad. which. 1t is charg-
cd would Disseminated against
Eastern Maine, has been undertaken
nv Congressman John T.. Nelson of
Augusta. Mr.. Nelson has taken the
ease I'D with Commissioner Esch OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and W. V. Hardy. director Of the
bureau of traffic, and now reports
that It Is the duty Of shippers in
that section OF the state who have
fault 10 find with the proposed rates
10 appear before tho commission
February 4 when the eastern call
rate investigation commences.
A statement ISSUED this week by
Mr. Nelson is as follows:
The Interstate Commerce Com
mission made general request Of
the railroads cast of tho Mississippi
River to file suggestions as to how
they would severally propose to re-
adjust the class rates in the territory
east of the river. so that these rates
would conform to the provisions Of
tho Interstate commerce net, with
special attention to those Of the long
and short haul section. This section
has never been strictly enforced In
the east. The idea was that the
RAILROADS should -ormuiate and make
public their several proposals in Tj-
vance OF any hearings on the subject,
in order that the shippers in the ter
ritory affected might have suitable
notice of the proposed changes, and
reasonable time within which they
might prepare evidence In opposition
10 them.
"Bear in mind that this readJust-
mcnt concerns all railroads In the
eastern territory, and that these
roads have published their proposals.
as has the Maine Central Railroad.
The rates filed by the Maine Central
constitute simply proposal or sug-
gestlon. on the part Of this carrier.
II carries with IL no more approval
on the part OF the commission than
any suggestion filed by any objector
would carry. At the first hearing
IN this matter. on February 4th. the
Maine Central Will undoubtedly put
forward this proposal as one 10 be
approved Ivy the commission. IL IN
vestgatiou shows that the proposed
rates are prcjudicial and unfair to
eastern Maine. the shippers from
that district should have present at
this first hearing some man compe-
tent To object to tho proposed rates
and 10 propose something different.
1T will not he the primary purpose
OF the inquiry either to add to or
subtract from the aggregate revenues
OF the carriers. but rather to adopt n
oall-rate structure which will be as
simple as can he made. with due re-
gard for the public interest. and free
from undue prejudice. and which will
serve the purpose that class rates
ought to serve
The hearings in this matter prom
Use TO ho extended and exhaustive
In the interests of the New England
shippers hearing will undoubtedly be
held IN New England. probably in
BOSTON. where tho people OF Eastern
Maine will have an opportunity to
appear and present evidence. II the
adoption Of the proposed plan would
ee unduly prejudicial to Eastern
Maine, as has been charged. then
those interested shou make careful
study of the situation. and be pre-
pared TO present to the commission.
IN concise form. competent evidence
Of their claims"