Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-10-14
SAY LABOR LEGISLATION
PLAYS IMPORTANT PART
Heads Of Baltimore & Ohio and New
York Central Lines Produce Fig
merce Commission to Prove the
Necessity Of Advance In Rates.
(By Associated Pressp

WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. ID
Two presidents of great American
railway systems today contributed
their view of, and reasons for, the
proposed advance in freight rates byl
the roads in eastern trunk line terri
tory at the investigation into the pro-
posed tariffs being conducted by the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
willard, of the Baltimore & Ohio
Railroad, and President w. e. Brown,
of the New York Central lines. Both
of the officials presented, from their
viewpoint, reasons in justification OF
the advances in freight rates. Marked
similarity characterized the state
ments of both President Willard and
president Brown. Neither placed the
responsibility for the proposed in
crease In rates wholly upon thu ad
varIces in wages made by the rail
roads in recent months, although both
asserted that the very large increase
in the wage scale had been an i'm
nortant factor in the consideration in
the rate advances.
Needed for Improvement.
President Brown declared substan-
tally that the great improvement and
betterment of railroad properties, in
order chat the officials might furnish
TO the people adequate facilities for
the transportation of their commerce.
could be accomplished only through
an increase of the freight income OF
the vafious lines.
He pOinted out that under present
condi;iops it had been shown to be
imnossible to obtain the large sums
~ money necessary to make the pro
.osed improvements and he appre |
hended that that impossibility would
contiue until such time as the roads
were able to secure what he regarded
as an adequate return on the invest
ments made on the lines.
The hearing, which the commissiol
had expected would be concluded TO
day. will be continued tomorrow ann
perhaps on Saturday
President Brown had not bee- ex-
cusod from the witness stand when
adjournment was taken this evening
Furnishes Statement.
Mr. WidIlard presented clarity !
inc statement of the disbursements
ner dollar earned by the Baltimore K
Ohio dursag the fiscal year 1919 and
1900.
In commenting upon this exhibit
Mr. willard asserted that he could
NOT see no way to maintain the poll |
cy of the Baltimore & Ohio to fu'-
nish prompt and adequate ser'icc
without an increase in freight rates.
81 am forced to that conclusion,
ba declared "Our expenses have
hean mere Sod during the last few
voars nv :. sislation. The act regIt 1
ia,ing tho n. iurs OF labor and the en-
nlovers' {, vslity act, to neither one
Of wbiel em opposed. have added
20 =. 4 of operating railroads. J
TN Ito. the cost of transpor-
"a, causSss,the> expenses have
10, Stern. by statute from the
indi,- Al to ftssstoekho'ders Oh ra'i
sust Hskn freight income.
.r,l, ,,ror,ze INCREASES in freight
ra,ss sbo, .x eps granted partly. at
80, In 30 W our increased ex-
,,enses IA us-ossibly can recoup /
ourselves we S tnat we shah nave
-, 40 On from IS eight income.
In response NJ INQUIRIES MI WIZ
lard said:
~ 40 not think the present rates
49, h;vh a,oukh and ! would not
shs,t - even though there had been
-, 49,, incrAase in wages. Wages
zero q sactor In the proposition to
sncro.so re rz.ls. but they were not
= con,rolIinx fs<sfor. think the ad-
s,,,ce sbouls bcl allowed for I know
- ro.d AZ mott nog making enough
money properly 20 MAINTAIN us Pr"P
eTty and service
Mr.. Willard expressed me opin'on
a.. ,ho sfockholrers Of the r. & o.
we're entitled to receive not less man
six per cent fvi4enos on thsir ho,e
ings. He suxE>stfd mat ne nn@"s'1,
credit. not osiy 81 ne Is V ~,
Of other lines Prs.cucaiiy' Wa IN ,Se
hs1nds Of the Intfrstate commerce
Commission
r,r-,csIa,eiv mon the conclusion of
a.. Sx-,IIs-d.s sestSsncny. President "
- p-or-n ~ she New York Central 1
49, v.s carcd 10 the stand. His
.vIdc,cc vas aAduced b. Clyde
-
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