GERMANY.
The Tariff of Rates for the conveyance of Goods Traffic in Germany is divided as follows:—
Eilgut.—Goods carried by Passenger Train.
Stückgut.—Goods carried in consignments of less quantities than Wagon loads.
Class A1.—General Goods in Wagon loads of 5 tons.
” B.—General Goods in Wagon loads of 10 tons.
Special Tariff A2.—Goods in 5 ton lots included in Special Classes I., II. and III.
Special Tariff I. }
” ” II. } Certain Goods specified in the Classification
” ” III. } in Wagon loads of 10 tons.
The rates for conveyance are based on a mileage scale per 100 kilogrammes and per kilometre.
In addition to the tariff rates a fixed charge called “Terminals” is also made per 100 kilogrammes.
For local traffic carried over the Prussian State Railways or over the railways worked by the State, the following rates and terminals are charged:—
| Eilgut. | Stückgut | Wagon Loads. | Special Tariff. | Excptl. Tariff Wood. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Passenger Train.) | (or small consignments by Goods Train.) | A1 | B | A2 | I. | II. | III. | Incl. in ST.II. |
| In Mark Pfenning per 100 Kilos per Kilometre. | ||||||||
| Double the Rates for Stückgut or Piece Goods | 1·1 | 0·67 | 0·60 | 0·50 | 0·45 | 0·35 | [137]0·26 [138]0·22 | 0·30 |
| In English money per ton of 1000 Kilos per mile. | ||||||||
| d. | d. | d. | d. | d. | d. | d. | d. | d. |
| 4·246 | 2·123 | 1·293 | 1·162 | ·966 | ·869 | ·676 | [139]·502 [140]·425 | ·579 |
The terminals charged in the Districts of the Eastern States Railway are as under:—
| Wagon Loads. | Special Tariff. | Exctnl Tariff. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eil- gut | Stück- gut | A1 | B | A2 | I. | II. | III. | Wood Special Trff.II. | |
| 1 to 10 Km. | 20 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 11 ” 20 ” | 22 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 21 ” 30 ” | 24 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 31 ” 40 ” | 26 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 41 ” 50 ” | 28 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| 51 ” 60 ” | 30 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 61 ” 70 ” | 32 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 71 ” 80 ” | 34 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 81 ” 90 ” | 36 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 91 ” 100 ” | 38 | 19 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 101 and over | 40 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| In English money and miles per ton of 1,000 kilos. | |||||||||
| Up to 6·21 miles | 2/- | 1/- | 1/- | -/9½ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ |
| ” 12·42 ” | 2/2½ | 1/1¼ | 1/1¼ | -/11 | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ |
| ” 18·63 ” | 2/5 | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/- | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ |
| ” 24·84 ” | 2/7¼ | 1/3¾ | 1/3¾ | 1/1¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ |
| ” 31·05 ” | 2/9½ | 1/5 | 1/5 | 1/2½ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ | -/7¼ |
| ” 37·26 ” | 3/- | 1/6 | 1/6 | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 43·47 ” | 3/2½ | 1/7¼ | 1/7¼ | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 49·68 ” | 3/5 | 1/8½ | 1/8½ | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 55·89 ” | 3/7¼ | 1/9½ | 1/9½ | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 62·10 ” | 3/9½ | 1/11 | 1/11 | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| over 62·10 ” | 4/- | 2/- | 2/- | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ |
The Rates on the Western States Railway, and for Traffic passing between the Eastern and Western States Railway system, are—
| Wagon Loads. | Special Tariff. | Exctnl Tariff. | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eil- gut | Stück- gut | A1 | B | A2 | I. | II. | III. | Wood Special Trff.II. | |
| 1 to 10 Km. | 20 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| 11 ” 20 ” | 22 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 21 ” 30 ” | 24 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 31 ” 40 ” | 26 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 41 ” 50 ” | 28 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 51 ” 60 ” | 30 | 15 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 61 ” 70 ” | 32 | 16 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 71 ” 80 ” | 34 | 17 | 17 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 81 ” 90 ” | 36 | 18 | 18 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 91 ” 100 ” | 38 | 19 | 19 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| 101 and over | 40 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| In English money and miles per ton of 1,000 kilos. | |||||||||
| Up to 6·21 miles | 2/- | 1/- | 1/- | -/9½ | -/9½ | -/9½ | -/9½ | -/9½ | -/9½ |
| ” 12·42 ” | 2/2½ | 1/1¼ | 1/1¼ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 18·63 ” | 2/5 | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/- | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 24·84 ” | 2/7¼ | 1/3¾ | 1/3¾ | 1/1¼ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 31·05 ” | 2/9½ | 1/5 | 1/5 | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 37·26 ” | 3/- | 1/6 | 1/6 | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 43·47 ” | 3/2½ | 1/7¼ | 1/7¼ | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 49·68 ” | 3/5 | 1/8¾ | 1/8¾ | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 55·89 ” | 3/7¼ | 1/9½ | 1/9½ | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| ” 62·10 ” | 3/9½ | 1/11 | 1/11 | 1/2½ | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 | -/11 |
| over 62·10 ” | 4/- | 2/- | 2/- | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ | 1/2½ |
All consignments under 20 kilos. are charged as 20 kilos., any fraction of 10 kilos. above 20 kilos. being charged as 10 kilos.
The tariff rates are charged according as the goods are consigned, viz.:—
1. As Eilgut (Ordinary Passenger Train Service).
2. As Stückgut (by Goods Trains).
3. As Wagenladungen (full wagon loads).
I. Eilgut.—(Passenger Train).
Goods of all descriptions, in less quantities than wagon loads, consigned by Passenger Train are charged at the rates set out in the tariff, but Goods forwarded by Passenger Train in wagon loads are charged at double the general class rates for wagon loads by Goods Train.
The minimum charge by Passenger Train is 0·50 mark (6d.) per consignment.
For goods sent by Express Trains double the Passenger Train rates are charged, with a minimum of 1 mark (1s.) per consignment.
II. Stückgut.—(General Merchandise).
This tariff applies to all goods traffic not forwarded by Express or Passenger Train, or in Wagon loads.
The minimum charge for Stückgut is 0·30 mark per consignment.
III. Wagon Loads.
A.—General Tariff.
The tariff rates provided for Classes A1 and B are charged for all goods forwarded in wagon loads, which are not included in any of the special tariffs or subject to special regulations. For consignments of 5 tons or paying as for 5 tons per wagon, the rates of Class A1 are charged, and for 10 ton lots or paying as for 10 tons per wagon, the rates of Class B.
B.—Special Tariffs, I., II., and III.
The rates of the Special Tariffs are for certain goods specified in the classification, if forwarded in 10 ton lots. The same goods, if despatched in 5 ton lots or paying as for 5 tons, are charged at the rates of Class A2, unless it is more advantageous to pay carriage as for 10 tons at the rates of Special Tariff I., II., or III., as the case may be.
Wagon loads may be made up by grouping goods included in different classes, as far as their nature will permit, when forwarded by the same sender to the same consignee, in one consignment; in which case the tariff for the goods which pay the highest rate is charged for the total weight of the consignment, unless it is more advantageous to pay carriage, calculated on actual weight, and at the rate provided for each class of goods.
Explosives and dangerous articles are charged at double the rates of the general tariff for piece goods or wagon loads; the minimum charge per consignment being the carriage for five tons of the tariff rate of Class A1.
Milk, beer in casks, bread, fresh fruit, also grapes (except costly hot-house fruits, or fruits imported from southern countries at unusual seasons, which are considered as delicate fruit, and chargeable at Eilgut rates) and returned milk cans, when consigned by goods train, are conveyed by passenger train at goods rates, as far as the train service and working arrangements will allow of such traffic being so carried.
For the conveyance of Live Stock, the following rates are charged on the Prussian State Railways:
Small animals in cages, crates, cases, sacks, &c., are charged either in accordance with the Goods Tariff, or if forwarded by Passenger Train, at the Parcels Rates. Dogs belonging to Passengers are charged at 0·015 m. per head, and per kilometre, with a minimum charge of 0·10 m. (1d·2) for each dog.
For Horses in Horse Boxes, the charge is:—
Per Kilometre. Per Mile.
d.
for 1 horse 0·30 m 5·79
” 2 ” 0·40 ” 7·72
” 3 ” 0·50 ” 9·66
For each additional horse carried in same truck 0·10 m. per kilometre, plus a fixed charge of 1·00 m. (1s.) per head for terminals, the minimum charge for each consignment being 3 marks (3s.).
In cases where the ordinary tariffs do not apply, the carriage for the conveyance of Live animals in wagon loads is calculated according to the space of the Railway Trucks. Any fractions up to and including half a square metre (0·598 square yard) are not charged for, but anything exceeding half a square metre is charged as for one square metre.
The charge per square metre (1·196 square yards) per kilometre is—
d. {In the district
For horses—0·025 m. (0·30) { of Berlin and
{ Bromberg.
d.
” 0·03 m. (0·36) In other districts
For other live stock—
d.
0·020 m. up to 100 kilometres (0·24) }
0·0175 m. 101 to 200 ” (0·21) } In the districts
0·015 m. 201 to 300 ” (0·18) } of Berlin and
0·010 m. over 300 ” (0·12) } Bromberg.
0·020 m. (0·24) In other districts.
For small live stock in composite trucks the above tariff of charges are increased by 33⅓ per cent. The fixed charge for terminals is 0·40 m. (4d·8) per square metre of the floor of the trucks.
Among other exceptional tariffs which are in force on all German Railways, there is one for European wood, which is charged at 0·30 pf. per 100 kilos, per kilometre (or 0·579d. per ton of 1,000 kilos per mile), plus the terminals shewn in the foregoing table. There is also an exceptional tariff for coal from the Ruhr district, as under:—
Tariff rate 0·22 pf. 100 kilos per kilometre (0·425d. per ton of 1,000 kilos per mile) with terminals of—
| 1 to 10 kilometre | 6 pf. equivalent to | 6·21 miles | 7·2d. per ton. |
| 11 ” 20 ” | 7 ” ” | 12·42 ” | 8·4d. ” |
| 21 ” 30 ” | 8 ” ” | 18·63 ” | 9·6d. ” |
| 31 ” 40 ” | 9 ” ” | 24·84 ” | 10·8d. ” |
| 41 ” 50 ” | 10 ” ” | 31·05 ” | 1s. ” |
| 51 ” 60 ” | 11 ” ” | 37·26 ” | 1s. 1d. ” |
| 61 & over ” | 12 ” ” | and over | 1s.2·4d. ” |
For services which are distinct from the actual conveyance, such as marking, weighing, counting, warehousing, demurrage of wagons, and use of tarpaulins, the railway companies are entitled to make separate and additional charges. For the hauling of wagons to or from sidings, connecting coal pits or other works with the railway system, a special charge also is made by agreement.
Loading and Unloading of Goods.—The loading and unloading of grande vitesse and piece goods are effected by the railway company, those services being included in the tariff rates.
Packages which weigh more than 750 kilos (15 cwt.) or the dimensions of which exceed the space of a truck, may, at the discretion of the railway company, be required to be loaded by the sender and unloaded by the consignee.
The loading and unloading of all other goods has to be performed by senders and consignees respectively, unless the service is undertaken by the railway company, for which a charge of 10d. per ton is made; in which case however the staff who perform the service are considered as employed by the sender or consignee respectively, with whom all responsibility rests.
Covering of Goods in Open Trucks.—It is understood that the railway company, in the absence of instructions to the contrary, convey the goods included in the Special Tariffs—except certain articles specially provided for—in open wagons, the railway being exempted from all responsibility in case of damage arising from such mode of transit. If instructions are given on the consignment note to forward in covered wagons, such goods as the railway company is entitled to convey in open wagons, the tariff rates are increased by 10 per cent.
Senders may supply their own tarpaulins for the covering of the goods, and they are returned free of charge, at owners’ risk, or at the company’s risk on payment of the ordinary carriage.
Articles of unusual size.—Articles which, owing to their extraordinary size, cannot pass the side doors of the wagons, are charged at the ordinary rates for grande vitesse, if forwarded by Passenger Train, and at the piece goods rates if sent by Goods Train, with a minimum as for one ton for every wagon used, unless the charge calculated at the rates of the tariffs for wagon loads is more advantageous.
Bulky Goods are charged 50 per cent. above the ordinary rates both by grande vitesse, and by Goods Train. In the case of timber, girders, and such articles which necessitate the use of guard wagons, a charge 15 pf. (1¾d.) per wagon per kilometre is made in addition to the mileage rates; but no part of the articles must actually rest on the guard wagons.
The general regulations of the Goods Tariff in Germany prescribe the maximum time for delivery of goods as follows:—
(A.) For Eilgut (Goods carried by Passenger Train), one day for forwarding, and one day for every 300 kilom. (186 miles) or part thereof.
(B.) For Goods Train traffic (Stückgut), two days for forwarding, and for the first 100 kilom. (62 miles), one day; for every part of each subsequent 200 kilometres (124 miles), one day.
The time of transit commences at midnight following the date of the stamp on the consignment note; and the Companies are relieved from responsibility if within the stipulated time, delivery is made to the consignee’s “domicile,” or if an advice note of the arrival of the goods is posted or otherwise sent to the consignee. The time allowed for delivery does not include the time occupied for Customs’ formalities or other delay over which the Railway Companies have no control.
The Prussian and German Law as to Rates.
By Article 33 of the Prussian Law relating to railway undertakings, dated 3rd November, 1838, the Commissioners were empowered, in certain events, to fix the maximum tariff. If after deducting working expenses and a fixed amount for the reserve fund, as sanctioned by the Ministers, the net profits yielded more than 10 per cent. on the capital expended, the railway rates were to be reduced so that the net receipts should not exceed 10 per cent. If, on the other hand, the receipts did not reach the maximum of 10 per cent. (Article 39), railway rates might be increased by 10 per cent. until the receipts yielded 10 per cent. on the total capital. Subject to these conditions, the fixing of the tariff rates was left to the railway companies.
Article 45 of the Constitution of the German Empire (dated 16th April, 1871) provides that the Government should secure, as much as possible, the adoption of uniform and reduced tariffs, especially for long distances for the carriage of coal, coke, wood, ore, stones, salt, rough iron, manure, and similar goods, and that such low rates should be adopted as might be required to further the interests of the trade of the country. Article 46 enacts that the railway companies in case of need, as for instance, the outbreak of a famine, should carry provisions, such as grain, flour, and potatoes, &c., at such a reduced rate as circumstances might require, and as directed by the Bundesrath Auschuss. Such special rates are not, however, to be below the lowest rates charged by the respective railways for “raw materials.”
By the terms of the early Concessions granted to railway companies the greater part of the private railway companies in Prussia had no power to fix or alter the tariff rates; reductions have to be sanctioned by the Minister. For instance,—Clause 10 of the regulations of the Crefeld-Threis-Kempener Industrie Railway Company (concession granted 6th October, 1868) provides that—
“The State reserve a right to control the tariff rates for goods, as well as passengers, and the alteration of the same.”
In the same way Article 5 of the concession for the Dortmund Granan Euscheder Railway Company of the 8th January, 1872, stipulates—
“That the Ministers of the Royal State reserve their right to control the fares and rates for goods and passenger traffic, as well as any subsequent modifications in respect of the same.”
Clause 3 of the regulations of the Bergish-Märkische Railway, which was transferred to the State on the 1st January, 1882 (concession dated 12th February, 1884), states that—
“The tariff for goods, as well as passengers, must undergo no alteration without the sanction of the Royal Ministers of Finance.”
In the more recent concessions the same rights have been reserved to the State Ministers; but greater freedom is now granted to the railway companies than was permitted during the first years of working the lines. Maximum rate tariffs are fixed by the Minister of Public Works for the various classes; and, as in England, the companies may adopt rates, and modify them as they please, as long as the maximum figures, fixed by the State, have not been exceeded.
For the Prussian States railways the tariffs are now fixed by the Royal Railway Administration, which is a species of a Provincial Court; but before they can be put in force they must be submitted for the approval of the Minister of Public Works. The Railway Administration consist of a Chairman and eleven Directors, and there are eleven Boards of Directors to manage the Prussian States railways. For private railways the arrangements are of a similar character. The application for rates and conditions other than those published in the official tariffs is prohibited by Prussian Law of the 3rd November, 1838, relative to the working of railways. The granting of special conditions to any particular sender or consignee is therefore legally inadmissible. Any alterations in the tariff system must be submitted to the Permanent Tariff Commissioners of the German Railway Administration, appointed to study the interests of trade. They consist of thirteen members of German railways, four elected members for the protection of agriculture and trade, and (in accordance with stipulations made by Bavaria) of, a representative of the Bavarian trade interests. On the proposals discussed at these Assemblies resolutions are passed by the General Conference of German Railway Administration, and the resolutions are submitted for the approval of the Courts of Judicature.