The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-22
COMING INCREASE
IN RAILROAD RATES.


ing could be had, he believed the shippers
and the carriers might come to reason
able agreement upon the proposed clsssi-
fication. which would prove satisfactory to
all concerned.
He was assured, after conversing with
several railroad representatives, that a re-
adjustment Of the proposed classincations
could be brought about, and that, there
fore, the complaints later to be considered
would be reduced to q minimum
No Likelihood Of Agreeing.
Mr.. Gin, who was on the stand during
the morning session. did not approve OF
Mr.. Keily's proposition that the classifl-
cation should not 60 into effect until April
!, as that would deprive the railroads OF
the added revenues for three months. He
asked for a 30-minute recess Of the hear
ing in order that ne might consult the
railroad men present as to the action they
should take.
The whole Country Affected.
Mr.. A. J. Van Landingham. representing
the st. Louis trAfiic bureau, said that the
question interested not only the ohiciai
classification territory. but the entire
United States
Changes in western classification have
already been made In line with those in the
official classification" said he, "but. they
are not 80 radical as in this territory"
Mr.. Van LAndinsham believed that II an
apportionment Of the rate, when the oficial
classifications would be effective. could be
arranged. the western lines would take
similar action.
Gill Declines to Give Details.
Mr.. Gill withdrew his request for a re-
cess ana although protesting against what
he believed was the irregularity of the
proceeding, again went on the witness
stand. He was questioned by several rep
resentatives Of shippers. but in almost
every instance declined to give detailed
replies. He declared that the increased
rates would not, in his opinion. compensate
the railroads for the increased cost OF
transportation.
Cost OF Shipping Petroleum.
Mr.. F. 8. Monnett. attorney general of
Ohio, questioned Mr. Gill as to the cost OF
shipping petroleum, evidently endeavoring
to elicit from him some statements by the
railroads at the expense Of the smaller
shippers Mr.. Monnett said that in less
than carload lots of petroleum, the pro-
posed classification Increased the rate $50
per cent depending on the distance. This.
he said, was discrimination which would
break up the small shippers. Mr.. Gill
explained that his committee had nothing
to do with the carloads in petroleum. and
that the changes in the classification of
less than carload lots had been made by
the committee on suggestion of ]. F.
Tucker, chairman of the Central Freight
Association. Of Chicago
Another Railroad Statement.
Mr.. Nathan Clifford, traffic manager Of
the New York Central and Boston & AL
bany railroads, made long statement to
the commission in the course of which he
said he did not care to defend the proposed
,classfications because he realized there
might be Inconsistencies and mistakes In
them. He declared the readiness Of the
railroads, however. to correct any inequali-
ties or injustices that might be found to
exist He did not think the railroads
ought to be asked to lose three months
revenues from the new classihcations be-
cause operating expenses and expenses of
maintenance were constantly Increasing.
He said that his company was now build
ing 10000 cars for which they would have
to pay nearly double the amount they for
merly paid for car construction. The I'M
creased cost to the railroads of transporta-
ton made It absolutely necessary for them
to secure increased revenues. While the
revenues of many railroads had increased
from month TO month, the net earnings had
not proportionately Increased because of
the heavy increase in operating expenses
and in maintenance. When his attention
was called to the statement Of the earn
ings for the last quarter of the New York
Central, as compared with the correspond
ing quarter Of one year ago. showing an
increase In this year of the net earnings.
he said the railroads had not felt yet, as
they would feel, the increased cost of
operation and construction of plant.
Without reaching any conclusion the
hearing was adjourned until $3.50 O'Clock
tomorrow morning.