Document rekzV0mYDMORdLkEq0jaawVqr

load Industries Association, Inc. / Zinc Institute, Inc. April 21, 1971 TO: All Members of the Board of Directors Lead Industries Association Zinc Institute, Inc. SUBJECT: Joint LIA/ZI General Traffic Committee Attached for your information, is a copy of the Annual Report of the Joint LIA/ZI General Traffic Committee. I'm certain you will read it with interest and join me in thanking Mr. E. B. Wood of AMAX for serving so ably as the Committee Chair man during the past two years. Very truly yours, LEAD INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION DWP:JLK:hdb Attachment 292 Madison Avenue, New York, N. Y. 10017 LI AC3CC9 ANNUAL REPORT OF TEE GENERAL TRAFFIC COMMITTEE ZINC INSTITUTE AND LEAD INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION BY: ERNEST B, WOOD - CHAIRMAN _______ The annual meeting of the Zinc Institute and Lead Industries Association's General Traffic Committee was held in conjunction with the annual convention of both associ ations at the Chase-Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis on April 8, 1970, The writer was re-elected for a second term as Chairman for the year of 1970-71. With two applications for general increases in freight rates filed with the Commission the Traffic Committee has been extremely active over the past year. As we submitted our report last year, the railroads had just applied for a 6% general increase in freight rates under Ex Parte 265, We retained Daniel J, Sweeney of Belnap, McCarthy, Spencer, Sweeney and Harkaway and opposed the railroad application. After prelimin ary hearings, the Commission granted the railroads a 5% interim increase which became effective on June 9, 1970, and set up formal hearings to decide what percentage of increase would be made permanent. Before the Commission could render its final decision under Ex Parte 265, the rail roads applied for a still further increase of 1555 within the eastern and western territories and 6% within the southern territory under what was designated by the Commission as Ex Parte 267. In setting up hearings for Ex Parte 267, the Commission combined both cases (X-265 and 267) for the purpose of hearing. Effective November 20, 1970, the Commission granted the railroads the remaining 155 on an interim basis under X-265 and simultaneously granted the eastern and western railroads 8% and the southern railroads 6f interim increases under X-267. On March 23, 1971, the Commission rendered its final decision under the combined Ex Parte 265-267 case. They made the total of 6% increase under X-265 permanent. Under X-267, they gave the eastern railroads authority to increase their rates by net more than 1h%t the western roads by not more than 1255, the southern carriers by not more than 6% and 1255 on traffic moving between the territories. These new in creases are scheduled to become effective April 12, 1971- In addition to the time donated by Committee Members, our expenses for legal fees in connection with both cases were $ 1,2U2,38 for Ex Parte 265 (preliminary) and $ 2,230.17 for the combined Ex Parte 265-267. All bills were forwarded to the Institute for payment and prorated between the Lead Industries and the Zinc Institute. Although we failed to convince the Commission on the need for special treatment on lead and zinc products, our efforts did bring some success. Under Ex Parte 267, ve took a new and more positive approach. Based on the premise that our industries absolutely needed a sound rail transportation system, we asked the Commission to conduct an in-depth study into the ills of the railroad industry. In answer to our pleadings, in addition to similar requests from others, the Commission has set up two investigations known and Ex Parte 270 and 271, Ex Parte 270 is an investigation Lr4?3cJ(. N 3782.01 - 2- by the Commission into the railroad rate structure. We are trying to broaden the scope of this investiagation to include such subjects as to the cause of histori cally veak and strong railroads, the effect of the railroads conglomerate activi ties on a sound rail transportation system, and several similar subjects. Ex Parte 271 will deal vith a proper investment base for the railroads and a reasonable rate of return thereon. While ve have signified our intent to participate in these pro ceedings, the real burden for making a case will rest upon more august bodies than ours. Decision upon the extent of our participation in both cases will be made at our annual meeting in Chicago on April 6, 1971, Our expenses for counsel on the work already done was $ 1,158,66 and $ 215=50 for consultant services. The question of proper freight rates to be applied on zinc concentrates for micro nutrient purposes is still pending, This subject is being pursued by a sub-com mittee made up of those firms directly involved. Annual meeting of the Traffic Committee will be held in the Drake Hotel in Chicago, 10:00 a-m,, April 6, With this meeting, I vill have completed tvo years as Chair man and feel that this role should be properly assumed by one of our other Committee Members, I vant to say that my terms as Chairman have been invigorating and very rewarding. This result could not have been possible without the full cooperation that I received from other Committee Members and the staff of the Zinc Institute and Lead Industries Association, I am deeply grateful to all for tnis fine coopera tion. Respectfully submitted, signed by Ernest B, Wood Chairman LlAC3ll