The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-12-02
FREIGHT RATE HEARINGS END
ARGt hENTS or fOT NSEL ~
BEGIN on JtN. %.
The Commerce Commission VIA, Not he
Able 90 Hand Down Its Decision by
Feb. Q. the Datr 10 which the Pro-
posed increases weEe suspended.

WAsHISGToN. Dec. THE taking OF
testimony In tho Interstate Commerce
Commission investigation of the pro-
posed increases in freight rates ended
to-day. and all that remains now for the
commission before IL hands down its
decision Is 90 listen to the presentation
Of arguments 10y attorneys representing
the shippers and the railroads. Janu-
AIRY Q IL the date set for the beginning IL
the arguments. and IL il believed it will
take at least two weeks for both sides TO
finish IL seems more than probable
therefore that the commission will not
be able 10 hand down its decision by
February /, the date to which the pro-
posed increases Were suspended. This
may necessitate further SUSPENSION.
The investigation just completed Is
the most comprehensive the commits
sion has ever undertaken in the matter
OF freight rates. The carriers contend
that on the outcome of tho investigation
depends their future credit and well
being and that il il absolutely necessary
for them TO make the increases to obtain
money To- meet increased operating eS
penses. due chiefly To advances IN wages
which they have made during the last
year. The carriers also contend that IL
the commission does not sustain the in
creases it will hurt their credit immeas-
uraby both here and abroad.
The shippsrs. on the other hand. have
cont"nd.d that the increases wer. n OF
necessary + hey put into tho record
figures compiled by the carriers them
selves showing that during the last year
the carriers had collected more money
than IN any preceding year Figures
were also presented showing on their
face that the Pennsylvania Railroad
in particular had paid a. high a. - per
cent dividend TO its stockholders. and
in the case of the Dial Law are. I.ackaw anna
and Western Railroad thar road last year
paid 40 per cent in dividends on its cap
ltalIzatl,n.
Louis ID Rrandeis 81 Boston. who
represented - large numter 81 New Eng
land shippers took the position in the
III EGstl CATION that tn" railroads could
reduce, expenses 10y scientific manage
m"nt. and h." put on the witness stand
a large number ~ managers ~ industrial
plants 70 show that the installation Of
scientific method. had decreased cost
Of production for them. Tho same sy-
tom Of scientific management. he con-
tended can b" applied u tn. railroads,
and III" savings that will result will max"
IN" proposed increases unnecessary. This
has been the basis Of IN. shippers argu-
rn.nt before the Commission
The taking of testimony closed TO-DAY
with statements made by + " RoltZ Of
lleveland. traffic manager Of the Ma
fional Petroleum Association; ". "
Rohrer. "a certified public accountant
). II Cowan of r-Nas. representing liv"
II ock interests. and James 4 White Of
Kansas CITY Kan dry goods merchant,
Mr. Boltz declared thar the increases
would lnjure independent producers Of
al and assist the Standard Oil Company
Mr. Rohrer testified concerning an eN-
animation which h" made of the books .
Il an oil company, which showed that
he price of oil had decreased during the ,
ast few years Nes-rS Cowan and
White protest. ed on behalf Of the interests
hey represented against he increases