Omaha daily bee., 1908-05-03
STATEMENT BY COMMISSIONER
Federal Official Says Change Must
Come Unless Business Improves.
MEAT TARIFF ALREADY HIGHER
Southeastern Lines Advance Rates One
to Three Cents a Hundred
LOCAL MEN NOT INFORMED
Omaha Omcials of Western Lines say
Raise Of Freight Rates or Cut
Wages Has Not Been
Ccnsidered.
LOCAL MEN NOT INFORMED

WASHINGTON. May At appears likely
that the anticipated increase in railroad
freight rates is about 20 be made. few
days ago a member Of the Interstate Com
nerce commission expressed the opinion
that within three or four months. unless
decided Improvement in railway conditions
should take place IL probably would be
necessary for the carriers either TO in
crease freight rates or to reduce the wages
Of their employees. Personally and Off
cially. the commissioner deprecated the
taking Of either horn OF the dilemma by
the railroads. but he believed il % be in
evitable that one or the other course would
be taken.
Sooner than was expected, action looking
to an increase in freight rates has been
taken. The railways Of the southeastern
territory have filed with the Interstate
Commerce commission tariffs. effective
June l. increasing their freight rates on
fresh meats materially. The proposed rates
will affect all fresh meats shipped into
the southeastern territory from the north
and west. The new rates will take effect
az Ohio river and Mississippi river cross
ings. including Memphis. Tenn, and will be
effective into all parts Of what is known
the Carolina territory-that is, the SEC
ton of the country east Of Asheville, n
c.. and south OF Danville. Va.
The increase will amount to from cents
TO 10 cents per 100 pounds all fresh
meats II is the first material raise in the
rates on foodstuffs made by the railroads
Of the country for a good many years- II
I viii mean much 20 the consumers, as il
will probably result in increase Of ap-
proximately I cent a pound on low grades
/ OF meats ana perhaps as much as : cents
per pound on the select cuts.
I While the Increase to the consumer in
! the territory affected by the proposed rates
/ In noticeable it is likely that IL is intended
I as feeler OF public sentiment with view
10 making general raise in rates on all
1 commodities. II is conceded by tariff ex-
perts OF railroads that many OF the COM
modify rates Of American railways now in
( force ara comparatively low ard il is re-
! zarded by those who have studied the ait
uation that in view OF the Increased cost
of railway equipment and Of railway en-
/ ployes IL may be necessary to increase
some Of the freight rates. This is mat
ter, however. which the Interstate Com
merce commission probably will inquire
into carefully to determine whether the
4 rates proposed are in any sense excessive
! or unreasonable. The increase OF rates on
fresh meats into the southeastern terri
tory iB regarded as the entering wedge Of
a general increase all commodities and
the result OF the inquiry into the question
raised viii be awaited with interest.
Local railroad officials maintain they
have heard nothing concerning the ques-
ton OF the raising OF the freight rates or a
reduction in the wages OF the men. z n
Wood. general freight agent of the Union
Pacific said the matter had not been dis