The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-06-09
NO RATE INCREASES
RAILWAY MEN DISCUSS THE sITU-
 ALTON.
u,.-am..a f;ondftIoms Are Improving ma -ONlclnie of Lines Believe That Any Action Would
 Be Unyvise.

Washington, D. C., June s.--No gem eraI increase in freight rates Is likely to be made by the railways of the country in the near future. if. 1t be made at all.
 At a recent meeting of presidents and operating officials held in New York 1t was the consensus of opinion that 1t would be undesirable, If not absolutely impractleahle. to put into effect at this time an increase or freight rates.
 Opinions at the meeting was divid- ed but the majority inclined to the view that it would be bad policy and bad business at this. juncture to at tempt an increase of rates. It was pointed out that the postponement. oi the increase, at a time or depressioh. would tend rather to increase freight stagnation than to stimulate freight movement.
 Most of the ofacials who attended the meeting indicated a belief that railway business conditions were m proving. The freight and passenger revenues show a notable increase m the last month over the preceding three months and a general reVlVal oI business in all industrial branches was reported from every part of the eouh- try.
 The Judgment was expressed that if business conditions generally did nos continue to show improvement U would be necessary for the railroaus of the country to adopt some method of. protecting the interests of theif stockholders. Only two methods Were suggested--an increase or Ireisnt rates and decrease in wages or eni- ployes. II will hot be necessary even then. 70 resort to either of the methods.
 In some way the report became gem araI among shippers, particularly those of the middle west and south, that the president and the interstate commerce commission had given their approval to the suggested increase n freight rates. Hundreds of shippers have written to the members of the commission protesting against the purposed action of the commission ana insisting that the rates be not m creased.
 while the commission has no power. under the law to prevent the estao- liahment of such ratesras the -railways see fit to put into effect, unless. after due hearing, the increased rates snouio be found to be excessive, unreasonable or unjust, 1t would be equally impossl- ble and inappropriate for 1t to give it's approval to any proposed increase of rates.
 Some rates, in special instances. re- centIy have been increased. That on fresh meats moving from the north to points in the Carolina territory Is case in point. .s
 A little while ago it was proposed to increase the proportional rates on paper two cents a hundred pounds from Wisconsin and Michigan points to the Ohio river gateways, when the ship | ments were destined co Carolina and other Southeastern points. The mem bers of the Western Trunk Line Asso- | citation reconsidered the matter. how ever. and the increase will not be made. at least not for the present.
 Of course, when. If ever. the increase of rates Is made. 1t Will De very care | fuIIv considered by the interstate com merce commission. perhaps on it's own 1 initiaive without waiting for formal complaint from shippers