Salt Lake Herald-Republican | 1915-04-13 | Page 2 | Coast Cities Oppose Reduction in Rates

COAST CITIES OPPOSE IN RATES Railroads haul Back-haul Proposal Attacked at t Hearing in Washington Washington April That 12 That That transcontinental transcontinental trans trans- continental railroads propose to meet competition via the Panama canal by making rates that will divert dhert freight to points just east of ot Pacific coast cout terminals terminals ter ter- for Cor distribution was made clear today In hearings before Interstate Commerce Commissioner Clark on tho the adjustment of ot rates In so-called so back haul territory Charles Donnelly representing the Great Northern and other transcontinental roads with terminals at north Pacific coast points served notice on the commission of ot the carriers carriers' purpose If Ie the construction of the tho Panama canal Jae said emphatically has hall lowered lowered lowered low low- ered rates to coast const points to a degree that will make mako our Pacific coast cont terminals terminals ter ter- useless machinery no so far tar as transcontinental traffic Is concerned we 0 have havo the right to make mako rates that will send the freight to an interstate point for distribution I If rates to Scattie Seattle Seattle Se Se- attle attie prevent pre us from competing In the transcontinental trade we have a a. right to make ba a rate that will send that freight to to Spokane for distribution In that competitive territory An And we propose to support th that t right before beloro any court or commission Mr Donnelly Donnen- supported the railroads railroads' ls' ls proposal to cut the rates In back haul territory b by reducing the tho terminal rate which forms tonn a a. part of tho the back haul charge Representatives of ot San Ban Fran Fran- deco cisco Ta Tacoma oma Portland Seattle and other othor seaport terminals opposed tho the plan declaring It was a discrimination against them because It would operate to deprive them of the benefits benefits' of water competition by lowering the rail rates from the east enst to ne rby Interior points Representatives of ot Spokane and nd Sacramento Sacr supported tho the plant plan