The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-09-27
.STUPENDOUS TASK
FOR STATISTICIANS
Revising Short Line System
and Rates Keeping Govern
ment Men Busy.

As a means Of learning urst hand OF
the effect OF the proposed decrease in
the freight tariffs in what IS known
as the salt Lake case. which has gained
attention throughout the railroad and
commercial world because OF the vic
tory won by the commercial interests
and Of the wide-reac ching results OF
the tentative schedule OF rates Drb-
lished by the government. the inter
state commerce commission has eight
expert stausticians now working in
the freight department Of the Oregon
snort Line company. gathering figures
and facts upon which will be based
The final conclusion and orders OF the
commission.
The date for the arguments IN the
SAT- Lake case has not yet been set
Dy the commission. The final hearing
IN the case was held in salt Lake
about a month ago. at which Commits
Toner Charles A. Prouty presided. At
ttat time the railroad and commercial
representatives. were informed that any
auol tional facts should be submitted
70 the commission by mail not later
than october ]. and that later the date
lot the final arguments would be
heard In Washington.
Employees Of the Short Line and other
.allroad companies affected, have been
ousy correcting data which has been
I -',, Warded to Washington Now the ie-
eai representative are waiting for
word from the commission which will
name the date for the arguments.
Hearing when Work Il Finished.
II is probable that this date will not
DC until after the expert statistfcians
or the department have completed their
work and return TO Washington with
thelr report. This will be in about
"a month, perhaps more. The work Is
most tedious and extended as IN the
cnanEc OF the tariff schedules a com
plcte revolution OF the present system
ls contemplated. changing the basis
line Of computation from the Missouri
river TO Omaha I'm local rates.
Inc chief purpose Of the commission
IN sending the experts here. IS to learn
Just what the difference VIII be 70 the
earnings Of the company I'm placing
the proposed schedule or rates into
effect The short Line company has
practically doubled its force I'm tho
computing department for the purpose
or gaining facts and figures both for
the commission and the guidance OF
the attorneys for the railroad company
IN taking the case before the commits
sion for tho final hearing. The work
mas been long and tedious. and will
when completed. be the most exhaustive
ever attempted.
SeriOus Proposition.
As matter OF fact. freight experts
declare the commission has stumbled
into a more serious matter than M at
Ilrst thought. and that they believe
lt VIII not be before midwinter that
the arguments are heard I'm Washing
ton regarding the freight rates from
The East TO salt Lake. The changing
OF tHt Wn0Ie system OF freight tariffs
tnat is. the change OF the basis upon
which all rates We're Computed-in-
wolves "a most serious question and en-
tails no end Of work. The special sta
uStlcians from the government COM
mission have been busy with this mat
ter for some time. and will likely be
kept at their work for another month.