[314] This problem is involved in the Youngstown-Pittsburg case already mentioned. In the original Louisville and Nashville decision the Commission apparently preferred to encourage competition even at the risk of its being roundabout and "illegitimate." But after the railway attorneys expanded the "rare and peculiar" cases to cover all kinds of competition, the Commission apparently regretted its earlier position. Cf. 1 I.C.C. Rep., 82; 5 Idem, 389; and especially the brief of Ed. Baxter, Esq., in the Alabama Midland case, U. S. Supreme Court, Oct. term, 1896, No. 563, p. 118.
CHAPTER IX
FREIGHT CLASSIFICATION[315]
Importance and nature of classification described, [300].—Classifications and tariffs distinguished, as a means of changing rates, [301].—The three classification committees, [304].—Wide differences between them illustrated, [305].—Historical development, [306].—Increase in items enumerated, [309].—Growing distinction between carload and less-than-carload rates, [310].—Great volume of elaborate rules and descriptions, [312].—Theoretical basis of classification, [314].—Cost of service v. value of service, [315].—Practically, classification based upon rule of thumb, [319].—The "spread" in classification between commodities, [319].—Similarly as between places, [320].—Commodity rates described, [322].—Natural in undeveloped conditions, [323].—Various sorts of commodity rates, [324].—The problem of carload ratings, [325].—Carloads theoretically considered, [326].—Effect upon commercial competition, [327].—New England milk rates, [329].—Mixed carloads, [331].—Minimum carload rates, [322].—Importance of car capacity, [334].—Market capacity and minimum carloads, [336].
Uniform classification for the United States, [337].—Revival of interest since 1906, [339].—Overlapping and conflicting jurisdictions, [340].—Confusion and discrimination, [341].—Anomalies and conflicts illustrated, [342].—Two main obstacles to uniform classification, [345].—Reflection of local trade conditions, [345].—Compromise not satisfactory, [346].—Classifications and distance tariffs interlock, [347].—General conclusions, [351].
EXCERPTS FROM THE FREIGHT CLASSIFICATIONS
| OFFICIAL (Trunk Line) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Subject to Uniform Bill of Lading Conditions. | ||
| L.C.L. | C.L. | ||
| 1 | Academy or Artists' Board, in cases (C. L. min, weight, 36,000 lbs.) | 2 | 5 |
| 2 | Acetone, in iron drums | 3 | 5 |
| 3 | ACIDS: | ||
| 4 | Acetic, liquid: | ||
| In carboys, boxed (C. L., min. weight 24,000 lbs.) (subject to Rule 27 and Note 2) | 1 | 5 | |
| In bbls. or iron drums (C. L., min. weight 36,000 lbs.)— | 3 | 5 | |
| In tank cars (see Note 1) | — | 5 | |
| 5 | Boracic, in bags, boxes, bbls. or casks (C. L., min. weight 36,000 lbs.) | 3 | 5 |
| 7 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINES: | ||
| 8 | Agricultural Implements and Machines, N. O. S.: | ||
| S. U | D1 | — | |
| K. D. flat | 1 | — | |
| Min. weight 24,000 lbs. (subject to Rule 27) | — | 5 | |
| 9 | Axes or Hooks, Bush: | ||
| In bundles | 1 | — | |
| In boxes | — | 3 | |
| Min. weight 24,000 lbs. (subject to Rule 27) | — | 5 | |
| 23 | ZINC: | ||
| 24 | Pig or Slab (C.L., min. weight 36,000 lbs.) | 4 | 6 |
| 25 | Plates (not Engravers' Plates) boxed (C. L. min. weight 36,000 lbs.) | 4 | 5 |
| 26 | Scrap: | ||
| In bags | 2 | — | |
| In bales | 3 | — | |
| In boxes, kegs, bbls. or casks (see Note) | 4 | — | |
| Min. weight 36,000 lbs. | 6 | — | |
| 34 | ZINC, SULPHATE OF: | ||
| In boxes or kegs | 2 | — | |
| In bbls. (C. L., min. weight 36,000 lbs.) | 4 | 5 | |
| 35 | Zylonite Goods, in packages | 1 | — |
| WESTERN | |||
| A | C.L. | ||
| 1 | ADVERTISING MATTER printed, N. O. S. (exclusive of signs and show cards), boxed or in bundles prepaid (not otherwise specified) | 3 Min. wt. 24,000 lbs. | 1 |
| 2 | Advertising Matter consisting of Almanacs, Circulars, and Pamphlets, for advertising purposes only and so stated on shipping ticket and bill of lading, value not exceeding 5c. per lb. and so receipted for, in bundles or boxes prepaid or guaranteed | 2 | |
| 3 | Chinese, Japanese and Palm-leaf Fans, with advertisements printed on the face, and Catalogues, boxed or in bundles, prepaid | 1 | |
| 4 | Advertising racks (sheet iron) nested solid, boxed or crated, min. C. L. wt. 30,000 lbs. | 2 | 4 |
| 6 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS: | ||
| 7 | Except Hand: | ||
| 8 | Barrel Carts: | A Min. wt. 24,000 lbs. | |
| 9 | Set up, on wheels | 1½ | |
| 10 | K. D. flat | 1 | |
| 11 | Bean Pickers, S. U. crated | 1½ | |
| 12 | Beet Harvesters: | ||
| 13 | Set up | 1 | |
| 14 | K. D., in bundles | 2 | |
| 15 | K. D., boxed or crated | 3 | |
| 16 | Boll Weevil Machines K.D. flat | 3 | |
| 17 | Blue Grass Strippers: | ||
| 18 | S. U. | D 1 | |
| 19 | K. D., small parts boxed | 3 | |
| 42 | ZINC: | ||
| 43 | Ashes, min. C.L. wt. 40,000 lbs. | 4 | D |
| 44 | Batts or Wainscoting enameled | 2 | |
| 45 | Concentrates, in sacks, min. wt. 40,000 lbs. | C | |
| 46 | Dross, min. C.L. wt. 40,000 lbs. | 4 | D |
| 47 | Flue dust, min. C. L. wt. 40,000 lbs. | 4 | D |
| 48 | Pigs or slabs | 4 | 5 min. wt. 36,000 lbs. |
| 49 | Sheet, in casks | 4 | |
| 50 | Shavings, min. C. L. wt. 36,000 lbs. | 2 | R |
| 51 | Sheets, perforated for screens, boxed, min. C. L. wt. 36,000 lbs. | 4 | 5 |
| 52 | Sheet or roll, not packed | 1 | |
| 53 | Strips (for weather strips), boxed or crated | 3 | |
| 54 | Sweepings, min. wt. 40,000 lbs. | E | |
| SOUTHERN | |||
| Item No. | A | Class if Released | |
| 1 | Accoutrements, Military | 1 | |
| 2 | ACIDS (Carriers's Option) viz: | ||
| 3 | Acetic, liquid, in bbls., or drums, L. C. L. | 3 | |
| 4 | Same, C. L., min. wt. 30,000 lbs. | 5 | |
| 5 | Carbolic, crude, in bbls. or drums | 3 | |
| 6 | Carbonic, liquid in drums or tubes | ||
| 44 | AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS C. L., owners to load and unload, viz: | ||
| 45 | Cleaners, Tobacco, min. wt. 15,000 lbs. | 3 | |
| 46 | Fodder Shredders and Corn Huskers, min. wt. 12,000 lbs. | 4 | |
| 47 | Fodder Shredders and Corn Huskers, in mixed C. L., with other agricultural implements, min. wt. 20,000 lbs. | 6 | |
| 48 | Harvesters and Pickers, Cotton, min. 15,000 lbs. | 3 | |
| 14 | ZINC, viz.: | ||
| 15 | In boxes, casks, sheets or rolls | 4 | |
| 16 | In blocks or pigs, L. C. L. | 5 | |
| 17 | Same, C. L., min. wt. 30,000 lbs. | 6 | |
| 18 | Scrap, packed | 5 | |
| 19 | ZINC, CHLORIDE OF, viz.: | ||
| 20 | In boxes, or in glass jugs, or carboys, packed, L. C. L. | 1 | |
| 21 | In kegs, or bbls., L. C. L. | 4 | |
| 22 | Same, packed, or in tank cars, C. L. (see General Rule 3) | 6 | |
| 23 | Zinc Ashes or Residue, L. C. L. | 4 | |
| 24 | Same, C. L. | 6 | |
| 25 | Zinc Dust and Zinc Flue Dust; same as Paints. | ||
| 26 | Zinc Oxide | 5 | |
| 27 | Zinc Paints; same as Paints. | ||
| 28 | Zinc, Sulphate of, in boxes | 1 | |
| 29 | Same, in kegs, bbls. or drums | 4 | |
| 30 | Zincs, Battery, in crates, boxes, or bbls., L. C. L. | 3 | |
| 31 | Same, C. L. | 6 | |