The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-09-17

many facts. We know and have found
the value of the Northern Pacific Rail-
way Company's property in the state
used for the public to be Sill, 374 $50;
divided $40, 7O3, 730.50 for state use and
$685. 1880 for interstate use. We
have found as facts that the net earn
ings of the said defendant company
from state business were $4,976,273
for 1905, $5,147,O47 for 1906, $780,
373 for $19O7, and s6,223,943 for 1908
The earnings of the Washington and
Columbia River branch are not in
cluded in the above earnings for 1906
81, so the value of the property used
would be CORRESPONDENCE reduced. The
value of its property used for state
business during the years 1905-6-7
would not exceed s42, 100000. The esti-
mated net earnings of the company
from state business for the year 1909
exceeds $S,450,000, thus showing a net
return from state business for the five
years under consideration of Ill,
12.17, 1917, 1852 and 1881 per cent,
respectively. That this return, with
the percentage increasing yearly, is
excessive is clearly evident.
'Diminution in net earnings by a
reduction in rates being justified,
where should such reduction be made?
Grain Supplies Much Traffic.
q
in the prosperity of both the state and
the transportation companies operat-
ing therein. In 1908 it amounted to
1897 per cent. of the total state ton
mage carried by the Northern Pacific
over its lines in this state, and to
1907 per cent. of the total ton miles,
and furnished 1899 per cent. of the to-
tai state revenue received by such
company. The product carried by the
Northern Pacific Appropriated 49,
very largely to the wealth produced by
the state. The cost of movement, not
counting taxes, interest or dividends,
was approximately 96.6S cents per ton,
while the average receipt per ton was
approximately 1892, the moving cost
being approximately 32.O1 per cent. of
the gross earnings, the operating eX-
penses of the road on all its business
being 5411 per cent of the gross re-
ceipts. Carload merchandise consti-
tuted but 11.54 per cent. of the state
tonnage and but 1884 per cent of the
ton miles, while it contributed 1916
per cent of the total state earnings,
and the cost of moving was only 1888
than carload merchandise constituted
1888 per cent of the tonnage, 3.54 per
cent. of the ton miles, and contributed
1926 per cent of the total state earn
ngs, the cost of moving bein 51.93 per
cent. of the gross earnings therefrOm.
''The orchard, garden, dairy and
poultry products are important fac
tors in the prosperity of our state,
and, with the growth of our cities,
are daily becoming more important.
The rates on these products are high
compared with grain rates. The gen.
eral distance tariff is proportionately
high, the commission finding in the
Walla Walla hearing that such tariff
was disproportionately high when
compared with other rates but being
unable to make what it considered a
proper reduction therein without ma
terially interfering with existing bust
ness conditions at Spokane, which ap-
peared unwarranted in view of the
tendency of the Spokane rate case be-
fore the Interst state Commerce Com
mission.
Reference has been made to the
foregoing rates and tariffs to show
the necessity of consideration being
given to the ntire schedule of rates, to
which should be added the passenger
schedule in cons idering the reason
ableness of the rate on any one COM
modify.
Rates Must Be Stable.
"The conclusions reached in this
hearing should have regard to as long
future period as possible under the