Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-02-24
sHiPPERs WIN CONTEST IN BOTH
EASTERN AND WESTERN
TERRITORY.
SEVERE BLOW TO RAILROADS
AND GREAT AID TO SHIPPERS
Proposed Advances Would Increase
Freight Rates $4,000, 900 Per Year
Decision Of interstate Commission
Unanimous-Ineoms Of Lines Shown
TO Be Largest on Record.

Washington. Feb. "a. - The general
Increase Of freight rates sought by the
600 railroads in the east and middle
west was refused by the interstate
commerce commission.
In the most sweeping decision ever
made in the history Of the body the
commission denies even the slightest
advance in any Of the rates which the
railroads contended would be necessary
to their continued prosperity
The decision puts beyond present
reach. at least, between $5o,o00.o0o and
$eo.ooo,oo0 annual income which the
carriers expected to realize from the
proposed increases. The argument Of
the railroad officials that this addi-
tional revenue would be necessary to
meet the increased cost Of equipment
and operation and to make contemplate
ed extensions the commission found
absolutely unconvincing. The roads.
according to tho commission, are in the
best Of condition. making money. and
In no need Of swelling their present In
comes by increasing the charges to
shippers.
Victory For Progressive Ideas.
The finding IL looked upon as the
progressive verdict Of commission
that since its reconstruction at the be-
ginning Of this year Is Of . decidedly
progressive character. The action of
the body In protecting the shippers Of
the country from the imposition Of an
.lSe%,o,.l h,,-A>u ~ %,ansv,op%a fion Az.
pense 10 the first tangible result Of the
operation Of the amendments to the In
terstate commerce law made at the
last session Of the present congress.
The object Of those amendments was
to mako It impossible for railroads to
advance ratss unless warranted and to
place the burden Of proof on the car
riers. Tho DEeciss provisions which
made the sweeping decision OF today
possible were injected into the lesisla-
ton as a result Of the efforts OF the
progressive republican senators who
triumphed over the opposition OF the
old g,1ard working in behalf of the
railroads.
The shippers represented by Attor-
neys Louis Brandeis, Of Boston, and
Walter Fisher. Of Chicago. met the rep-
reservations Of the railroads with tes-
timony showing the tremendous PROS
perity Of the roads, their exaggeration
of increased expense. their waste and
extravagance and their opportunities
Of making more money thru scientific
economy than they would from increa.s-
ing freight charges.
May Appeal to Commerce Court.
The only recourse the railroads have
from decision Is an appeal to the newly
constituted commerce court. and the
general opinion here is that this stop
will be taken at once.
The proposed advances in class
freight rates in official classification
territory aggregated among all the rail-
ways in the territory approximately
$27,000.o00 q year.
In the case involving the increases by
the railroads In western trunk line ter
ritory, the commission declined to ap-
prove tho proposed advances in conn.,
modify rates. The carriers in both
cases are required to cancel on or be-
fore March 10 their advanced tariffs
and restore their former rates, which
are the rates now in effect.
II this requirement be not compiled
with the commission will issue a formal
order suspending the proposed ad-
vances and putting into effect the ex-
listing rates for At least two years.
Some Rates Not Disturbed.
In the case Of the railroad commits
sion Of Texas against the Atchison. To-
peka & Santa Fe and other carriers,
known popularly Is tho southwestern
rate case, the commission declined to
disturb the commodity rates or the
first class rates complained Of. Tho
defendants arc ordered. however, to re-
duce the second class rates, which were
increased from 3l.21 to 31.29. to $1.25.
On the remaining classes the defend.
ants are required 20 restore the rates in
effect before the increased rates were
published.
In brief. this b tho disposition made
by the interstate commerce commission
Of the most important cases ever
brought to its attention.
In Q sense the decisions were in the
nature Of . surprise to railroad Of
ncials and other experts who had fol-
lowed closely the proceedings, q ma
jority Of whom believed the commits
sion would grant some Increase to the
western lines II not to tho eastern.
After considering exhaustiyaty tho
whole subject. however. from every
the commission could not
see ito way clear 70 grant any ad-
vance in rates, aitho it concedes that
in the case Of some Of the roads an
increased revenue 10 needed.
Some Paying, Other Not.
In what 10 known al the eastern casa
the commission was embarrassed BIZ
the admitted fact that several Of the
lines In the territory wers paying good
dividends upon existing rates. while
other carriers In the same taeritor
were barely able to make both ends
meet.
:. tha western case the carriers en-
tered . powerful plea for incrs...aa
revenue In order that they might have
aAdi0eaal monsy TO- put. Into Inn
1seAsnO which weula soahSo tAsa