Oct. 21, 1907: Authority to change minimum weight on lime rock from Daly's Spur to Butte from 35,000 pounds to market capacity of car. Dec. 20, 1907: Authority to establish new rules for the privilege of reconsigning carload freight in transit. Railroad company had issued general reconsigning rules applicable on en entire line. These rules appearing to the Board to be detrimental to the shippers of Montana, the subject was taken under advisement with result that the Commission refused to adopt the rules promulgated by the Oregon Short Line, but in lieu thereof had rules established which would not work hardships on the shippers of this State. Dec. 30, 1907: Authority to make the following changes in the distance tariff rates on cattle, sheep and range horses, carloads: 2.00 to $ 6.00 p. car 2.00 to $ 6.00 p. car 4.00 to $ 8.00 p. car 6.00 to $10.00 p. car 8.00 to $11.00 p. car Distance 5 miles rate advanced from $ March 3, 1908: Authority to issue Circular No. 3000-A containing miscellaneous rules, regulations and exceptions to Classification. This circular is of large scope. It was revised by the Board and many rules changed to conform with the Board's views for protection of shippers of the State. March 9, 1908: Request received from the railroad company for privilege of advancing distance tariff rates on hay, carloads, as follows: June 55 miles from 7 to 8c per cwt. 70 miles from 8 to 9c per cwt. 75 miles from 8 to 9c per cwt. Authority declined account insufficient reasons for the proposed advances. 9, 1908: Authority to publish new distance tariff on classes and commodities locally between stations on Oregon Short Line, also jointly between stations on O. S. L. and stations on B. A. & P. Ry. The proof of this tariff was checked by the Board, and the following changes made in rates: May 22, 1908: Authority granted for republication of joint rates with Great Northern and Northern Pacific Railways, in Montana. EXPRESS. Hearing for establishment of maxima rates, rules and regulations, for express companies, operating within the State, was duly and regularly advertised to be held on January 4, 1908. As in the case of freight and passenger tariffs of the railroads, the Board deemed it advisable to accept, without change, the existing tariffs of the Adams Express Company, the Great Northern Express Company, the Northern Express Company, and the Pacific Express Company, these being the only companies operating within the State on that date. FRUIT AND Vegetable RATES OF NORTHERN EXPRESS Co. Prior to hearing, for adoption of the express companies' tariffs, a check had been made of the special commodity rates in existence and it was found that the fruit and vegetable rates of the Northern Express Company were in an unsatisfactory condition. The attention of the express company was called to this, at the hearing on January 4, 1908, and agreement was reached at that time whereby the company would publish a new tariff containing all the fruit and vegetable rates in the State, and at the same time make material reductions in such rates. The only rate on fruit and vegetables in existence prior to April 15, 1908, date on which the new tariff became effective, from the Bitter Root district to Helena, Butte and Anaconda, of $1.00 per 100 pounds. This rate was lower, in proportion, than the new rates established, and for this reason the Northern Express Company desired to have that rate advanced. Feeling that a change of this character would work a great hardship on the shippers in the Bitter Root district, the Board notified the express company that the desired authority could not be extended. Below will be found a complete list of all the special commodity rates in existence prior to April 15, on fruit and vegetables, via the Northern Express Company, the old and new rates being shown, together with the reductions made by publication of the new tariff. CHECKING OF TARIFFS: CHANGES IN RATES. The same rule has been adopted by the Board with reference to changes in express rates, rules and regulations as exists for changes in tariffs of the railroad companies, i. e., they cannot be made without first receiving the authorization of the Commission. Before making changes of any character in the existing tariffs, therefore, the express companies submit to the Board the proposed changes. These are carefully gone over by the Commission, in each case, and through this method of handling many discrepancies have been found in the existing rates. In these instances, the express companies, have, without exception, complied with the views of the Board as to the proper rates to govern, and many reductions in the rates have resulted. ORGANIZATION OF CONTINENTAL EXPRESS CO. Effective June 1, 1908, agreement was consummated between the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company, and the Continental Express Company, under the terms of which the latter company is organized to handle express traffic on the new lines of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company. This new express company has filed with the Board many of its tariffs covering rates, rules and regulations, each of which has been carefully checked by the Commission with a view to having the rates no higher than the existing rates of other express companies in the State. CONTEMPLATED REDUCTION IN EXPRESS RATES. The Board has had under consideration for some time the question of the reasonableness of existing rates of the express companies, with a view to making reductions in the same. It is proposed to hold a hearing on the subject in the near future, at which time the matter will be gone into thoroughly. MONTHLY BULLETINS. Beginning with May 1st, 1908, the Commission has issued regularly, the first of each month, a Bulletin showing changes authorized in intrastate freight rates for the preceding thirty days. These Bulletins, copies of which follow, are sent free of charge to any address upon application to this Depart ment. May 1, 1908. Great Northern Railway Co. Amendment 19 to G. F. O. 18151, Mont. R. C. No. 26. Cancellation of Class "D" rating on live stock; lower or the same: rates now provided in G. F. O. 18652, Mont. R. C. 89. G. F. O. 18652, Mont. R. C. 89. Distance tariff on live stock-rates reduced. Amendment 20 to G. F. O. 18151, Mont. R. C. 26. Hay, Stockett and Sand Coulee to Butte, 15c-reduction. Amendment 2 to G. F. O. 19076, Mont. R. C. 73. Sawdust added to list of commodities subject to lumber rates-reduction. Amendment 18 to G. F. O. 18163, Mont. R. C. 27. Ore, Butte to Helena when valued at $35.00 per ton, rate $1.00 G. F. O. 19260, Mont. R. C. No. 90. Regulations to prevent overloading of cars. G. F. O. 19231, Mont. R. C. No. 80. Regulations governing absorption of switching charges on competitive traffic. NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILWAY CO. Amendment 1 to 24319, Mont. R. C. 114. |