them to whomever they choose. This very definitely discriminates against the regulated carriers, as well as the buying public who, for various reasons. are not always in a position to negotiate for a lower rate with an unregulated carrier. We urge your support of this legislation and ask that our letter be made a part of your committee's files on this matter. Very truly yours, A. C. MITCHELL, Jr., Partner. SISKIN STEEL & SUPPLY CO., Hon. OREN HARRIS, Chairman of House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: We have written to Congressman Frazier, of Tennessee, and we would like to use this letter as a means to strongly urge you to vote in favor of House of Representatives bill No. 11583, which was introduced on May 3, 1962. This is a minimum rate bill and covers movement of agricultural products of bulk commodities such as grain, ore, coal, salt, sugar, etc., and of passengers. Passage of this bill will enable railroads to compete more nearly on equal terms for the vast tonnages of bulk and agricultural commodities which now move mostly in private and unregulated highway trucks and waterway barges. This will give the railroads nothing that other forms of transportation do not already have. In fact, this will not give the railroads as much as other forms of transportation now have. At the same time, it will definitely help railroads compete for this profitable traffic, save American people hundreds of millions of dollars each year in unnecessarily high transportation costs and strengthen the entire common carrier transportation system. This bill will give all forms of transportation more nearly equal freedom in setting minimum rates on bulk and agricultural commodities, and minimum passenger fares, while retaining in the Interstate Commerce Commission the right to prevent rate increases, and extending the powers of the antitrust laws to prevent monopoly. For the above reasons we are in favor of bill No. 11583 being passed and we would like for you to make our letter part of the records. Thank you for your cooperation. Yours very truly, GARRISON SISKIN. Hon. OREN HARRIS, BURBACH ELEVATOR, Crofton, Nebr., July 13, 1962. Chairman, House Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: My name is Jules Burbach and I am a resident of Crofton, Nebr., located in the extreme north-central part of my State. I am the sole owner of the Burbach Elevator and I also own and operate the grain elevator at Fordyce, Nebr., some 10 miles from Crofton and I also operate a grain elevator at the village of Mosher, S. Dak. In addition, I have some farming and livestock interests. All in all I am what is sometimes described as a small businessman. I have nine employees and I personally conduct my business affairs and direct my own business. To this extent I very often buy and sell grain in my dealings with my farmer customers; I very often help load and unload grain trucks and freight cars; I very often buy and sell feed as well as many other items of farm supplies that we deal in. I tell you this to let you know that I run my own business not only from the "front office" but also down to the "grassroots." In addition to running my business I am also a member of the Nebraska State Legislature serving as a State senator representing the 14th District of Nebraska. As I have stated I am a small operator of country grain elevators and in no sense do I operate so-called terminal or large grain elevators. I am aware of some of the problems faced by the railroads of our country and particularly with the midwestern railroad which serves my elevators and upon whom I must depend for the bulk of the transportation of my inbound and outbound grain shipments to the large central markets. I also do much of my transportation by truck. I know from my own experience that much grain moves by truck and that generally the rates are below those of the railroad and the trucker sets his own rates at whatever price but that the railroad in following published and fixed prices cannot quickly change the rates in order to compete with the unregulated truck operator. We must have railroad service and the railroads must be given an opportunity to meet competition. For the above reason I urge that your committee give immediate, careful and favorable consideration leading to the passage of H.R. 11583 as recommended by our national administration. I also ask that this letter be made part of your record of your committee hearings. Very truly yours, Congressman OREN HARRIS, J. W. BURBACH. DISTRIBUTORS WAREHOUSE, Chattanooga, Tenn., July 16, 1962. Chairman, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: It is our understanding that your committee has House bill H.R. 11583 before it, which is supposed to give the railroads some freedom in ratemaking on certain commodities. It is our opinion that the railroads deserve this consideration and we feel that this bill should be passed. If you would be kind enough to make this letter a matter of record before your committee, it would be greatly appreciated. Yours truly, G. W. THOMPSON, Owner-Manager. WISCONSIN WOODWORK MANUFACTURERS' TRAFFIC ASSOCIATION, Hon. OREN HARRIS, Oshkosh, Wis., July 17, 1962. Chairman, House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, DEAR SIR: We respectfully call your attention to H.R. 11583 now before the Congress. In our opinion the bill will be of great benefit to agriculture and the consuming public by permitting reduction in freight costs. It will tend to put an end to the chaotic transportation situation and inept obsolete legislation with greater reliance on competitive forces instead of present regulation restraints. We feel approval of the legislation proposed in this bill will be in the public interest and respectfully urge your support. We also kindly request this letter be made part of the official record. Yours very truly, Hon. OREN HARRIS, E. J. BALDA, Traffic Manager. MARK K. WILSON CO., Chattanooga, Tenn., July 17, 1962. Chairman, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, House of Representatives, House of Representatives Office Building, Washington, D.C. MY DEAR MR. HARRIS: We understand that your committee has House bill H.R. 11583 which will give, if passed, more freedom in ratemaking on most bulk commodities. The railroads deserve this consideration, in our opinion, and we urge you to do everything that you can to have this bill passed. Will you be kind enough to make this letter a matter of record before your committee? Sincerely yours, MARK K. WILSON, Jr. 91497-62-46 Congressman OREN HARRIS, CHEROKEE WAREHOUSES, INC., Chattanooga 1, Tenn., July 18, 1962. Chairman, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, DEAR CONGRESSMAN: Your committee has House bill H.R. 11583 before it, which is supposed to give the railroads some freedom in ratemaking on certain commodities. It is our opinion that the railroads have long deserved this consideration and we feel that this bill should be passed. If you would be kind enough to make this letter a matter of record before your committee, I would greatly appreciate it. Very truly yours, Mr. OREN HARRIS, JIM KENNEDY. T. Y. WILLIAMS GRAIN CO., Shawneetown and Junction, Ill., July 18, 1962. Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House of Repre sentatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. HARRIS: My business is buying, selling, and shipping grain. The destiny of our transportation system seriously concerns me. You and I know that there are many inequalities and unnecessary restrictions imposed upon our Nation's railroads. The President's transportation message of April 5, 1962, proposed solutions toward correcting some of these inequities. I am very much interested in H.R. 11583 which would extend to all common carriers the same exemptions from minimum rate regulations on bulk commodities, agricultural and fishery products, and passengers now enjoyed by only some carriers. I believe the public stands to benefit when all carriers can be used at the lower rates. Please give this bill your full support. It is requested that this letter be made a part of your hearing record. T. Y. WILLIAMS. OHIO VALLEY SOYBEAN CO-OPERATIVE, Representative OREN HARRIS, Chairman, House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. HARRIS: This is to request your help in obtaining passage by the Congress this year of H.R. 11583 which I feel would be distinctly beneficial to our business. The President pointed out in the transportation message of April 5, 1962, the urgent need for changes in our transportation policy which has not been changed in many respects since the time when railroads had a virtual monopoly. It is not reasonable that one common carrier should be allowed to fix rates for bulk commodities or for agricultural products or for passengers without regulation as to the minimum charge while other competing carriers are subjected to such regulations. The result is unfair not only to the regulated carrier but also to shippers who may prefer or who have to rely on the carrier which is discriminated against. The bill I have mentioned offers a reasonable remedy for this situation and I hope that you will do all that you can to have action on it completed before Congress adjourns this year. It is requested that this letter be made a part of your hearing record. Congressman OREN HARRIS, A. I. REISZ, Manager. WM. L. GRAY CO., Chattanooga, Tenn., July 20, 1962. Chairman, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: Your committee has House bill H.R. 11583 before it, which is supposed to give the railroads some freedom in ratemaking on certain commodities. It is our opinion that the railroads have long deserved this consideration and we feel that this bill should be passed. If you would be kind enough to make this letter a matter of record before your committee, I would greatly appreciate it. Yours truly, WILLIAM L. GRAY. Congressman OREN HARRIS, MOORE BROKERAGE CO., Chattanooga, Tenn., July 20, 1962. Chairman, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, House Office Building, Washington, D.C. DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: We understand that your committee has House bill H.R. 11583 for consideration, which is supposed to give the railroads some freedom in ratemaking on certain commodities. It is our opinion that the railroads deserve this consideration and we feel that this bill should be passed. There are many instances in our own community where the railroads are not permitted to meet other carriers, which works a hardship on many receivers. If you would be kind enough to make this letter a matter of record before your committee, it would be greatly appreciated. Very truly yours, I. E. MOORE. SYLACAUGA CALCIUM PRODUCTS Co., Hon. OREN HARRIS, Chairman, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: The President's transportation message of April 5 advocated certain changes that will assist in modernizing our transportation policy. It is our feeling, since we are shippers of considerable bulk tonnage, that H.R. 11583 is a step in this direction. It is badly needed to help check the heavy decline in revenues for common carriers which, in turn, will greatly benefit the shipping public. We wish to go on record in favor of passing this bill and respectfully request that you make this letter a part of your hearing record. Very truly yours, J. S. WILKINS. NATIONAL CANNERS ASSOCIATION, Hon. OREN HARRIS, Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The National Canners Association favors an extension to the railroads of the agricultural and fishery exemption presently available to motor carriers, and recommends the enactment of H.R. 11583 for that purpose. The National Canners Association is a nonprofit trade association of more than 600 members whose canning plants are located in 44 of the 50 States. Members of the association pack approximately 80 percent of the total U.S. production of canned fruits, vegetables, juices, meats, seafoods, and specialties. Each canner processes at least one of the agricultural and fishery commodities which is an exempt commodity within the meaning of section 203(b) (6) of the Interstate Commerce Act. Farmers, fishermen, canners, and the public have all benefited over the years from the agricultural and fishery commodities exemption which is presently available to motor carriers. Under this exemption motor carriers are afforded a flexibility of operation, and it has been possible for growers to ship, and for canners to receive, fresh produce of optimum quality for canning. The National Canners Association believes that the advantages of this exemption should be broadened to include railroads, in order to enable them to compete more effectively for this traffic. Railroads are in a position to provide economical and reliable transportation for raw agricultural and fishery commodities, and this exemption should therefore be extended to them in order to put them on an equitable basis with motor carriers. Your committee's consideration of our views is respectfully requested and we ask that this letter be made a part of the record of the hearings now underway on H.R. 11583. Sincerely, MILAN D. SMITH. Hon. OREN HARRIS, LAKE ELSINORE VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, Chairman, House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, DEAR SIR: At the regular meeting of the board of directors of the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce on July 16, 1962, the two following resolutions were unanimously adopted: "Whereas it has been brought to our attention that hearings are to be held on H.R. 11583; and "Whereas it is our opinion that the American railroads are being injured by present rate restrictions: Now, therefore, be it "Resolved, That the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce go on record urging the passage of minimum rate bill H.R. 11583." "Whereas it has been brought to our attention that hearings are to be held on H.R. 11584; and "Whereas it is our opinion that this bill would be of great assistance in helping to solve some of the grave problems of the American railroads: Now, therefore, be it "Resolved, That the Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce go on record urging the passage of the Transportation Act of 1962, H.R. 11584." Sincerely, Congressman OREN HARRIS, ROBERT BENNETT, President. WALTON SEED Co., Augusta, Ga., July 17, 1962. Chairman, House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: Your committee now has under consideration House bill H.R. 11583, generally referred to as the "minimum rate" bill. We believe the passage of this bill would help to correct some of the disadvantages under which the railroads are now operating, and this would give all forms of transportation more freedom in setting minimum rates on bulk and agricultural commodities. We respectfully request that you support this bill and will see that this letter is made a part of the proceedings before the committee. Very truly yours, D. C. RUSHTON, Owner. OPELIKA SCRAP MATERIAL CO., INC., Hon. OREN HARRIS, Chairman, Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, MY DEAR CONGRESSMAN HARRIS: Please refer to House bill 11583, introduced on May 3, which is a result of President Kennedy's transportation message. I understand this will allow equal freedom among the various modes of transportation so far as rates are concerned. This will give all forms of transportation the same chance to reduce their rates to meet competition, whereas some types (for example, the railroads) are not allowed under the present law to reduce their rates even though they desire to do so. In the event this legislation becomes law it should lead to lower transportation costs generally for the shipping public, and lower freight costs are certainly needed. Your full support and efforts to get this bill passed as quickly as possible will be greatly appreciated and we hope this letter will go on record with your committee. Yours very truly, L. N. BAZEMORE. |