The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-05-31

investigation OF Prime I'M
! Farmer in State, Board
Members. Claim-Question-
portance to Every North
Dakota City and Every
naire Prepared For Ship
pers
Basic factors with relation to
freight rates on livestock arc in
volved in the ganeral investigation Of
this subject recently launched by the
Interstate Commerce Commission, ac
cording to information received here
by the state railroad hoard.
The new investigation adds another
to the list Of rate matters which have
occupied the attention of North Da-
kota freight rate experts for several
months. Since the case is Of prime
Importance to every North Dakota
city and to every farmer in the state
it is expected that this state will
make strong showing before the
federal body, members Of the state
board said.
Experts for the board already are
preparing data to be submitted at the
hearing in their efforts to maintain
livestock shipping rates on a basis
favorable to the farmer and prevent
any discrimination against this state
in comparison with rates accorded
tn thnN 81
In order to facilitate the pCepara-
ton Of data bearing on the. situa-
ton the state board has prepared a
questionable based on the points
raised by the Interstate Commerce
Commission in its announcement Of
the investigation. Shippers and
other persons interested have been
asked to fill out the questionnaire
and return it to the state railroad
board. i 50
Some Of the Questions ssss
Among the questions to which the
federal commission seeks answers
are:
Within what territories may uni
form rate levels properly obtain, and
what should they be? Specifically
Could uniform rate level on
livestock fit for slaughter reason
ably obtain in the western district
in territory herein for convenience
called valley territory, lying on and
east of line drawn approximately
through Minot and Bismarck. North
Dakota, following the Missouri river
in South Dakota, the Tooth meridian
Of west longitude in Nebraska, Kan
sas, and Oklahoma, and western boun-
dnru nf Tnvoc hat Mec-
souri, river markets. Sioux Falls,
South Dakota, and Kansas City, on
the one hand, and Mississippi river
crossings and Chicago, illinois, on
the other hand, and intermediate ter
ritory?
Could uniform rate level on
livestock fit for slaughter reason
ably obtain in territory herein for
convenience called plains territory,
lying west of this line and on and
east Of line approximately fol-
lowing the 1O8th meridian of west
longitude through Montana; Sheri-
dan, Wyoming, and Cheyenne. Wyom-
ing; Denver, Pueblo and Trinidad,
Colorado; Albuquerque, New Mexico,
to FL Paso, Texas?
Are there any "weak lines. Grail
roads) in the territories described,
which are entitled to different treat
ment!
What Revision IL Needed
What, if any. revision should be
made in the rates or rate levels
between Missouri river markets.
Sioux Falls, South Dakota; to Kansas
City, Mo.-Kan., on the one hand, and
Mississippi river crossings and Chi
cago, ILL.,, on the other hand, and
in intermediate territory?
To what extent should there be
uniformity in the rate levels between
the territories hereinbeforc de-
scribed?
Furnish any evidence which might
be helpful in determining what should
be the relation of short-haul and
lOng-haul rates.
How should the rates for move
ments between territories Of differ.
ent rate levels be constructed?
Would the following be a reasonable
rule for the construction Of such
rates? Add to the rate applicable
in the lower rated territory for the
entire distance from origin to destin-
alton. the difference or differences
between the rates in the higher and
lower rated territories for the dis
lance or distances traversed in the
higher rated territory or territories.
For example, for 600 miles between
valley territory and plains territory
divided 400 miles in the former and
200 miles in the latter, the rate
would be that applicable for 600
miles in valley territory, plus the
difference between the respective
rates for 200 miles in valley terri
tory and plains territory.
Why should not rates on livestock
capable of loading in double deck
cars, when such livestock is shipped
in sipgle-deck cars, bear uniform
relation throughout the western dis
trict to rates on such livestock when
shipped in doublc-deck cars and rates
on cattle? What should that rela-
tion be?
A Uniform Rule
Why should there not be a uniform
rule throughout the western district
as to the application Of scale rates
to single-line and joint-line traffic :!
What would that rule be?
Why should not uniform minimum
weights obtain throughout the west
ern district? What should the mini
mum weight be?
Why should not a uniform rule
apply throughout the western district
for determining the charges on cars
of mixed livestock? What should
that rule be?
Why should not rates throughout
the entire western district be stated
on cents-per-hundred- pounds basis !?
In this connection parties are re-
4uested when exhibiting rates pub
(ished on per-car basis to show
Also their equivalents in cents per
weights.
Where should stocker and feeder
rates be maintained and upon what
kinds Of livestock? What should be
the relation between them and the
rates on livestock fit for slaughter!
Should that relation be uniform
throughout the weatern district!
Throughout valley te;rrit Dry?
Throughout plsins territory