The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-11-21

Louis D. Brandies, counsel for the
shippers IN the freight rate increase
case, upon which hearings were resumed
this morning before the Interstate Com
merCe Commission, outlined the nature
Of the testimony the shippers would
produce TO show why advances as pro-
posed by the roads were not justidabIe.
In his preliminary statement he de-
elared Acknowledgement on the part Of
carriers was responsible for the loss
OF their credit through wage increases,
If there was any such loss. He said
100000 could be save by them each
day with the introduction Of scientific
methods IN getting results from personal
labor
Mr. Brandies announced that he would
prove that the absence OF competition
among the railroads was responsible IN
a large measure for the lack Of the
highest efficiency in railroad manage
ment. This, and the fact that the actual
operators Of transportation properties
were constantly harTassed by fnanciers
who juggled these properties in gamb-
ling deals, contributed 10 the ineffCienCy
and loss
Thinks System Wrong
Mr.. Brandeis said the managers were
unable 10 get the best results from
labor He said he expected to show
the commission and the country that
the present system Of railway manage
ment was all wrong.
More important than al other con-
sideratiOns. said the attorney, N the
economical operation Of a railroad was
the necessity for getting more work
from the labor employed This, he said.
could be done if the latest methods CT
scientific training, even OF unskiIIed
labor, were introduced on the railroads
as they are now in effect in many Of
the manufacturing plants Of the cOUn-
try
For nearly an hour after stating this
conclusion Ma. BTandeis outlined the
manner IN which the roads could pro
coed If they really desired TO save the
SltVyJIVVy a day which he estimated in
tie beginning would be possible. He
showed how at least . per cent could
be added 10 the efficiency OF Individual
workmen BY recognizing them as indi-
v1dualS and not as pieces OF machinery
OF COgS in human wheels be said that
the use Of the best developed machinery
would add further 10 the efficiency, and
that in the end the railroads would md
that the Increase IN wages would be
more than Offset BY the added results
from those same men
Roads Should Cooperate.
Mr.. Brandeis said that the railroads
should cooperate to reduce costs in
stead Of combining TO increase rates
He said that higher wages should re-
suit in a less cost ultimately IN the
operation Of a railroad. and that in turn
the expense Of freight traffic should be
reduced instead Of increased.
Going further, Mr.. Brandeis took IS
sue with the railroad presidents n their
contention that further economies in
railroad operation are not possible The
presidents had declared that the TeduC-
curves, the strengthening OF roadbe5s.
the enlargement OF locomotives and cars
had practically reached their limit, and
that no more money could be saved IN
that direction
This, Mr.. Brandies said, his wit
neSses would dispTOve- TO these
declarations Of despair involving q
vicious circle Of ever-increasing
Of living, We oppose the gospel Of
hope" said the attorney. He added
that the public would not necessarily
have 70 pay more dearly for its
freight movement II these economies
were put into effect
Other attorneys for the shippers in
dicated today the character of the
testimony they would present to the
commission For instance, the COM
mission was asked TO summon D. B
BuTEunder, a stock and bond broker
Of Baltimore; Ebert Hubbard, the
editor; c c. Mccain, author Of the
statement showing why the increased
rates were necessary to the mafnte-
nance OF railway credit, and Man
Rger Thompson Of Managers Asso-
citation
If these witnesses are compelled
to come to Washington, IT wss to be
shown, the attorneys said, that the
railroads had entered upon pub
licity campaign with the view Of dis
crediting their own credit. This. the
shippers lawyers said, was done IN
order TO create q public sentiment
favorable to the proposed new scale
Of freight charges.
For Publicity Bureaus.
Preliminary statements were made to
the commission TO the effect that the