The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-03-08
REIMBURSEMENT OF RATES ON GRAIN
FROM NORTH DAKOTA TO MARKETING
CENTERS REFUSED TODAY BY !. {. {.
Interests of Both Carriers
and Shippers Will BE Bet
ter Served if Issues Are Re-
served For Disposition in
General Investigation. Com
mission Majority States

st. Paul. March S.--[P)-De-
nial Of proposed grain rate in
creases from North Dakota
points To Twin City terminals by
the Interstate Commerce Com
mission today will he followed
Nv u denial of similar increases
within Minnesota by the state
railroad and warehouse commits
sion. a. l.. Finn, its rate expert.
said. Denial Of the Minnesota
increases alone will mean a saw
ing Of $S75,OOO on a basis Of the
$3.50. 900 carrier revenue reaiiz-
cd during the peak crop year Of
1924-25. Mr.. Finn said.
Washington, March s-(P)- The
Interstate Commerce Comm mission re-
fused today to readjust rates on grain
and grain products from North and
South Dakota to principal marketing
centers until the commissions gen
eral investigation into the level of
western grain rates is completed.
BY the decision, petitions for in
creased rates in behalf of the rail
roads and for reductions in behalf Of
the consumers were dismissed.
A minority Of the commission. in
cluding Commissioners Hall, Aitchi-
son, Woodlock and Taylor, dissented
from the deciion.
DakOtans Partially Justified
The majority pointed out that un-
der a special congressional resolution
the com mission has been seeking ia
get a full view of grain and grain
products throughout the western dis
trict. While the Dakota complainants
were declared to be at least partially
justified in their assertion that Da.
kota producers were paying higher
rates than Minnesota producers. the
commission held that all of the facts
could not be estimated in 4 localized
study.
Railroad schedules which proposed
increases out Of the Dakotas were
filed to become effective August
1925, and have been under suspension
since that time.
The suspended rates were described
as having been designed to partly re-
move the advantages enjoyed by Min.
nesota but they would have done SO
creases. The schedules, the commits
SlOu SuIu, WVuIu lHCTcoSc 0HuuuIlN t"c
cost Of transporting wheat, rye anc
flaxseed out Of North Dakota b,
$l,O58,00O.
Bettcr to Wait
"While the carriers have not justi
fled rates in excess of the Minnesots
level" the commission majority said
"neither have complainants suffi
ciently shown that We can lawful,
reduce interstate rates to that level
Under all the circumstances, we be
lieve that the interests Of both car
riers and shippers will be better
served il the issues are reserved fol
disposition in the general investiga
tion.
"If complainants and carriers, how
ever. differ with this conclusion ant
desire these issues to be determined
upon this record, without further de
lay, and upon basis which may b
temporary in view of the general in
vestigation, they may so advise u
and this matter will be given furthel
consideration"
The Dissenting Opinion
Commissioner Aitchison, in dis
sentinx opinion in which several OF
his associates Joined, declared tha'
immediate action should be taken.
"The majority report leaves tn
farmer in South Dakota and portion.
Of North Dakota with longer haul'
to market, paying rates on relative
~ higher basis than his Minnesot;
neighbors," Commissioner Aitchisol
said. I'VE would proceed to NOV,
the unlawful rate situation that i
here reserved for treatment in th'
general investigation, should put al
(Continued on page three)