The Bismarck tribune., 1925-06-13
BIG FREIGHT
RATEBAT'TLE
TO BE WAGED
State Commission Plans to
Fight Increases Sought
BY All Railroads
WILL ASK DECREASE
Support of All Traffic and
Farm Organizations in
State Is Sought

The biggest freight rate fight
North Dakota has seen for years and
one that is Of utmost importance to
the vital interests of the state is
about to be staged between the rail-
roads Of the northwest carrying
grain shipments and the organized
forces Of traffic bodies and farmers
organizations with the substantial
support of the state board OF rail-
road commissioners.
Seek High Rates
It has been known for some time
that the railroads operating in the
state and carrying shipments of
North Dakota agricultural products
to terminals at Minneapolis, Duluth
and Chicago have been seeking in
creased rates, having filed an appli-
cation with the interstate commerce
commission at Washington. The in
creases would include wheat, corn.
rye, barley, oats, flax and millet.
Grains under thee proposed tariff
would be affected by 10 per cent
increase and flax by Is per cent
boost.
Believing that these proposed rates
would strike at the very heart of
North Dakota, the state railroad
commission will start a backfire to
the railroads proposal. The com.
mission, besides asking for sus-
pension Of rates which the railroads
would put into effect August Is, will
petition for decrease in the pres
ent rates. thus having q favorable
chance of maintaining the rates at
the present level. .-. -,
Support ,Is Sought
In addition the commi ssion is seek
| ing the support of all farm and traf-
fic bodies in the state. The North
Dakota Farm Bureau Federation and
the North Dakota Agricultural Traf-
fic League have. already signified
their intention Of aiding the com
mission in its fight before the In
! terstate commerce commission.
Changes in rates. may become effec-
tive l20 days after they are intended
to 60 into effect by the : railroads,
according to an interstate commerce
commission ruling. This period
gives the commission time to decide
on possible changes. If a complaint
is made, however, together with a
petition for suspension of rates,
| hearings before an exc entiner of the
! inte rstate commerce Goa missile fol-
low and lengthy proceedings may
take place which may prevent the
new rates from taking effect for
years.
It is the intention of the state
commission to follow this procedure,
according to its traffic expert, Z. M.
Hendricks, whi has made recommen!
| dations to this effect to the commits
sioners.
Hit In Vital Spot
"North Dakota would be hit in its
vital spot by the new schedule OF
rates., said Mr.. Hendricks today.
more than 100000 bushels
Of flax were shipped last year and
! even if the increase would amount
to a cent bushel the difference to
the farmers and shippers would
mean $1,700,00O.
"More than half of all shipments
from the state last year included
grain and flax. A total of 76,N9
cars Of wheat left the state and
22,831 carloads of rye, corn, oats.
flax and barley. This represents 9
total tonnage Of 62.62 per cent of all
shipments. Shipments Of these pro-
ducts are increasing each year, the
1922 shipments Of grain and flas
being 61.94 Of the total tonnage.
With mounting tonnage Of these
products leaving the state it Is
clear that North Dakota would be
greatly affected by the proposed
rates. ~.
Farmers and shippers and their
organizations ought to realize that
it will be to their advantage to voice
their, protest to the interstate com.
merce commission. The board. Of
railroad commissioners can deal more
effectively with the railroads if it
has the backing of those to whom
the rates would apply. And with
q strong organization We might be
able to forestall the increase.