Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-06-09
HIGHER FREIGHT RAIE
QUESTION IS DISCUSSED
Railroads Address Congress, Their
Own Business Associates, the Ship
pcrs and the Public as TO Whether
They Are Entitled to Advanced
Charges.
(By Associated Fressy.


NEW YORK, June S.-The general
executive comm ttee of the Railway
Business Association, which, within
its membership represents $SO0,00o,-
900 of invested capital. which speaks
for a group of industries giving en-
ployment to 100000 workingmen,
and upon which 100000 people de-
pend for support, met here today and
at the close of its session. gave out
statement. in chief as follows, adj
dressed to congress. to the railways,
to the hippers and to the public:
The Statement.
"The question of whether the rail
roads are entitled to a general ad-
vance in freight rates is now before
the public. The merits of individual
rates will come before the Interstate
Commerce Commission. During the
period of uncertainty as to whether
rates filed are reasonable or Otner-
wise there will be a disturbance of In
dustrial conditions. II is therefore
of the greatest Importance that the
way shall be cleared for the speediest
possible decision by the commission.
To that end the railway business as
sociation appeals:
Addresses Congress.
ITO CongreSS-Ihat the Presi-
dent of the United states. having rec
commended a provision governing the
power of the Interstate Commerce
Commission over freight rate changes,
such provision be enacted forthwith
to 20 in effect upon its passage. BY
the recommendation of the President
powers and duties of the Interstate
Commerce Commission are to be
greatly enlarged snd in the present
emergency it is decreed that the APP
prova of hundreds of thousands OF
freight rates must be given by the
comm .ssiOn before effectuatiOn. II
is deemed proper. therefore. to urge
that serious attention be given the
organization upon which the immense
demand for increased output is tosbe
made Nothing could be more dis
astrOns to the railroads and all the
commerce and industry of our conn
try, than to stake all that is proposed
to be staked upon the comm sslon,
only to find that, with its organiza-
ton. it cannot do the work within a
reasonable time. We urge that such
an appropriation. as may be foun'
necessary, be made to ensble the CON-
mission to cope with their Increased
duties.
To Railways.
ITO the Railways-TEat they
facilitate the work of the commission
by having their schedules so arrang-
ed end the reasons therefore so clear
" set forth as to require the least
possible time to comprehend their
scope and bearing. and that the ON
cials Of the railways acquaint the
shippers more fully with the reasons
for freight advances.
To Shippers
~5-To the ShippeTs-That they
look upon the railways precisely as
they would look upon any other con-
Germ for whose sclvency the manage
meut. end not the government. Is re-
sponsible. A going concern must
have an adequate revenue. The pres
ent problem involves not merely the
smount which the railway shall re-
ceive for carrying a consignment but
its ability 10 carry IL at all II en-
braces not alone the transportation
efficiency. hut general prosperity. We
suggest 70 the heads OF freight paying
enterprises that trey study this ques
ton al FIRST hand IN the brosdest way.
BY 50 doing they may conclude that
On advance may be for Their own best
interests.
To Public.
TO Fhc Pu5Iic-That they
frankly conccde 70 the railroads The
necessity for adequate rcveuUc and
await with patience and good nature
the findings Of the commission a. %
the rcssonableness Of proposed rates.
The members % the Railway Bus-
iress Association have but recently
EMERGED from period Of closed shops.
the idle mcu and disastrous loses duo
20 cessation n railway purchases. We
contemplate with grave anxiety the
possibility Of undue restriction 81 rsil-
vay revenues. Ours - not the plea
o. special interest whose prosperity