The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-04-11
RATE HEARING
WILL REQUIRE
YEAR OR MORE
Investigation of Freig h t
Rates on Ignite and Other
Fuel to Be Complete

Investigation of the intrastate
rates on Ignite coal and other fuels,
recently launched by the state rail-
road board in compliance with law
passed by the goth legislative assem-
bly,, will be one Of the most complete
ever undertaken in the state and
tYlay last year or more, according to
members of the board.
The new law, which carried an
>emergency clause and became effec-
tive upon it's signature by the gov
ernhr, repeats the present rates on
Ignite coal which were established
by the 1925 session and authorizes the
railroad board to fix such new rates
as may be just and reasonable.
Powers Unlimited
The powers of the board in making
the investigation, preliminary to
establishing new rates, are almost
unlimited. The new law directs the
board to take into consideration "all
matters relating to: The kinds and
nature and general character Of all
fuels consumed in this state, the
source and places of production or
manufacture thereof, and the methods,
means, facilities and instrumentalie
ties of transportation and routes Of
movement thereof to this state; the
amount Of each kind of fuel consumed
and produced in this state during
each year; the nature and extent of
the mineral fuel resources Of this
tate and the ownership and right to
Mine the same; carrier and railroad
ownership thereof and the relation
ship, affiliations and dealings Of the
carriers or railroads with producers,
shippers, receivers, buyers, sellers or
consumers Of fuel; the public inter-
est. social and economic conditions
affecting and affected by rates APP
plicable to or the use Of each fuel;
the value and utility of the several
fuels and Of the transportation SER
vices rendered in connection there
with by the carrier; the profits and
losses Of producer, shipper, receiver,
buyer or seller in connection with
production, purchase and sale, manu-
facture or distribution Of fuel" and a
host of other things.
1t is expected that number of
hearings will be held here with addi-
tional hearings in practically every
part Of the state. The mass of data
to be obtained at these hearings will
be taken into consideration in adjust
mig the rates to be charged for ship
ment of various fuels intrastate.
Ignite Rates Most Important
Although all kinds of fuel will be
considered in the investigation, prin-
sGpal attention will be given to fac
tors surrounding the production and
use Of Ignite coal since that fuel
moves in vastly greater quantity than
all others combined and it was" to
deal with the Ignite situation that
the legislature passed the law.
A case now is pending before the
Interstate Commerce Commissir.s -,
Washington in which the; c rea.os a." ;r
, Ge,nana ra.as osHsy contend that the
ingn.ee ray. ray the legislature are much
rates low.
'ofn view of the investigation launch
ed by the state railroad board, how
ever, it is considered probable that
the case before the federal commits
sion will not be decided until the
state body has completed its investi-
cation.
Under the law the railroad board
lis directed to make separate classlfl-
cations Of the various kinds Of fuel
and fix maximum freight rates on
intrastate shipments of fuel in each
classification.
The commission is specifically CIV
en- the same powers which court has
in carrying on it's findings and the
rates to be fixed pursuant to the in
vestigation are declared prima facie
evidence in all state or other courts
that the rates, schedules, classified
zion and differentiation therein fixed
are reasonable and just maximum
rates."