Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-21
INCREASE IN RATES
Hearing Before the Interstate Com
MERGE Commission.
EASTERN RAILWAY MEN PRESENT
Chairman Gill Tells Why the Ad-
vances Were Made.
MAINTENANCE COSTS MORE

A hearing was begun today by the inter-
state commerce commission in the matter
of changes In freight classification and ad-
vSnces in freight rates by carriers using
the official classification. Many complaints
have been filed with the commission alleg-
ing that discriminating changes in freight
classification by carriers have been agreed
upon to take effect January 1. 1900. To de-
termne this question, the hearing Of today
was held.
Many of the most prominent railway
freight officials of the eastern part of the
country attended the hearing, and repre-
scntatives of large shipping interests of the
same section We're also present.
Cause of Increased Rates.
At the opening of the hearing Mr.. C. E.
Gill of New York, chairman of the official
classification committee" said the railroads
were without knowledge of the persons who
had requested the hearing, and asked that
they be called upon to state wherein the
proposed changes were unjust. Mr.. Gill
maintained that the proposed advances in
freight rates were due to the increased
cost of railroad plants and maintenance,
and the advances had been applied to
classes of freights that could well pay
them
Mr.. Gilrs contention that the shippers be
himself was put upon the stand.
He said that due consideration of all pro-
tests would be considered by the ciassifca-
tion committee, but the committee was
satisfied the proposed advances were nee
esSary, on account of the increased cost of
railway operation. He ntimated that for
the same reason still further advances
probably would have to be made Upon
many articles Mr.. Gill maintained that ex-
listing rates of freight were 'unjustifiably
low"
New Changes Merely Restoration.
In the course Of a long examination by
Mr.. w. A. Day, attorney for the commits
sion, Mr. Gill gave no reasons for the pro-
posed advances upon special articles or
classes Of freight, except the general rea-
sons which applied to all freight. He main
tanned that the proposed new classified lions,
generally speaking, were restora lions of
freight rates which prevailed in times past
when commercial and trade conditions were
similar to what they now are
His replies to a long series of questions
indicated that his own belief and that of
mis- colleagues on the classification commit
tee was that the recent marked advance in
the price of railway equipment and opera
uon-ln steel rails and all forms of steel
and iron. etc.-rendered it necessary for
the railroads. in degree prOportionately
to advance freight rates. He said freight
rates had been on a gradually descending
scale for about twenty years. but he was
unable TO say whether the proposed new
rates would be higher or lower than the
rates which prevailed In 1892
In a statement to the commission Attor-
ney Day said a comparison Of the proposed
rates on certain specific articles showed
that the new rates would be higher than
ever had existed since the commission was
created.
Paid More in 1887.
Judge C. A. Prouty, a member of the
commission, Instituted line of inquiry the
questions or the answers Indicating that in