The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1926-10-20
RATE
HEARINGS ARE
OPENED TODAY
Traffic Experts From Entire
Northwest Here For Rail
Board Investigation

Traffic experts from all parts of
North Dakota and many from the
Twin Cities and Duluth were here
today for the opening Of the hearing
by the state railroad board on the
rates, charges, rules, regulations and
practices Of railroads doing business
in the state.
The Investigation, the most sweep
ing in years as to scope, is intended
to give the state board data for re-
adjusting alleged inequalities in rates
on. various materials to and from
different points. '%
Two Cases on Docket
Although number of cases were
originally scheduled to be heard in
connection with the investigation,
only two remain on the docket ThAsA
are the investigation .-...a-~- ~
the commission into the general
freight .rxte structure of all roads
except the Midland Continental and
the Chicago 4 Northwestern. These
were excluded, the Midland Cont
mental because it is Class C railroad
and the Chicago & Northwestern be-
cause it has only two stations in the
state.
The second case involves an ap-
plication by the Northern Pacific and
500 lines to meet rates Of the Great
Northern from Fargo to Minot with
out making such rates the maximum
charged to intermediate points.
Three other cases which had been
scheduled for hearing were:
4. An application by the carriers for
a general five per cent increase in
all rates. It was dismissed at their
own request when the Interstate Com
merce Commission rejected a similar
request applicable to interstate rates.
2. Application by the carriers for a
revision of intrastate class rates. It
was estimated by traffic experts that
establishment Of the new rates would
have resulted in 25 per cent increase
to shippers of all less-carlOad ship
carload lots. 1t was withdrawn be-
press it until the Interstate Com
case, bearing on interstate rates, now
pending before it.
JamestOwn's Application
3. The application of the jamestown
Warehouse company for revision of
the rates charged by the Northern
Pacific and 500 line railroads to GER
tain points. jamestown interests
contended that jobbers' distributing
rates now in effect are prcjudicial in
favor of Fargo. It was withdrawn on
assurance by the railroad board that
opportunity will be given Jamestown
interests to present evidence in con-
nectioh with the general investiga-
tion launched by the board. Fargo
men are expected to offer testimony
in support OF the rates now effective
from that city.
Traffic men, in complaints to the
railroad board, have alleged that the
present rates Of North Dakota rail-
roads are merely revisions of the
pjoneer rates, established by the rail-
roads voluntarily In the SOS. These
complaints allege that the rates do
not take into consideration the fact
that the state has grown and devel-
oped since they were established and
that the, only changes made in them
have been on flat percentage basis
without regard to any Of the ordinary
factors usually considered in estab.
fishing freight rates.
Among those here for the hearing
are traffic representatives, Of most
Of the civic ordinations in the state,
representatives Of Wholesale houses in
the Twin Cities and Duluth and rail-
road men.
The hearing was scheduled to open
at 2 o'clock this afternoon.