The Nome Nugget

MAJOR PARTIES ARE DISSATISFIED WITH FREIGHT RATE RECOMMENDATIONS

WASHINGTON (UPI) None of the major parties is satisfied with the recommendations of a Federal Maritime Commission examiner on a request for increases in Alaska water freight rates.

Exceptions were filed this week to recommendations by examiner Arnold J. Roth -that the increase be denied, but that the carriers not be required to refund money received under the increase, which has been in effect conditionally since January, 1960.

The Alaska Steamship Co., in a 177-page brief, said the Commission should order the proceeding dropped or take further evidence and allow the company to present oral argument on its exceptions to Roth's recommendation.

The State of Alaska in its brief said that although Roth's decision generally was a "cogent and well-reasoned analysis," he "made certain errors which must be corrected."

The State also asked that the 15 days normally allowed for replies to exceptions be extended to July 31 because of the "unusually lengthy exceptions" filed by Alaska Steamship.

The General Services Administration argued that the Commission should find there was a failure to demonstrate the increased rates are just and reasonable and that it should order refunds to shippers of all amounts collected in excess of rates in effect on Jan. 9, 1960.

The then-Maritime Board allowed a 10 per cent rate increase to go into effect on Jan. 10, 1960, on condition that returns due to the increase later found unreasonable would be refunded to shippers

Roth found that the increased rates "have not been shown to be just and reasonable for the future.

But, he added, the increased rates "are not shown to have been unjust, unreasonable or otherwise unlawful during the pendency of this proceeding."