Show LOWER RATES ON GRAIN IS URGED MEETING BEING HELD AT SPOKANE SPOKANE SPOKANE KANE WILL ENDEAVOR TO REDUCE FREIGHT RATES Rate Expert of of Idaho Public Utilities ties Commission Takes I Prominent Part at Gathering Gathering r f I Spokane Wash Testimony that eastbound freight rates on W wheat leat from from- Idaho points are lower than similar rates to west coast points and antl declaration that railroads as well as shippers would benefit from a lower lower lower low low- er westbound rate were su submitted by Samuel L L. Newton rate expert for tor forthe forthe the Idaho public utilities commission commission at it the tho opening session here Wednesday Wednesday Wednes Wednes- day of the Interstate commerce commissions commission's commissions commission's com com- r missions mission's hearing on grain grain products pro pro- ducts and hay rates I The hearings is being eing conducted by y Examiners II C. C Keeno Keene and E. E L. L I Beech of the commission Keene explained ex ex- explained at nt the outset that questions I If Of f discriminatory rates will be barred harred from consideration Representatives es I of several farmers' farmers organizations and find numerous legal representatives es of I Northwest railroads are in attendance and the state public utilities departments departments departments depart depart- ments of Washington Oregon and Idaho are represented Newton ewton contended that the hulk bulk of the exportable surplus of rj bushels of wheat in tile the United States I should move mo to Pacific coast ports owing to shorter distances as compared com com- compared pared with Atlantic and gulf ports and he declared that the railroads would save mone money by hauling more wheat West Vest instead of empty cars as he s said id they now do lIe He asked for an equalization of rates on westbound wheat shipments from Idaho on the various railroads contending that present rates on the theOre Ore Oregon on Short I Line ine are higher than on the Chicago Milwaukee St. St Paul the Great Creat Northern 1 anti and the Northern Pacific |