Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-02-26
COMMISSION IS INTERESTED
Members Do Not Expect Railroads to
Appeal Cases.
COMMENT ON THE FLUCTUATIONS
stress Laid on Fact No ReductIons In
Rates Now In Effect Are Or
dered--some Rohds Not
Affected


WASHINGTON. Feb. 25.-Officials Of the
Interstate Commerce commission observed
with keunest interest today the results Of,
and comments upon the decision in the
railroad rate cases Some doubt was ex-
pressed by those in and about the COM
mission who have been most familiar with
these cases as TO the railroads taking any
further action in the matter such az APP
pealing from the commissions decision to
the newly inaugurated court OF commerce
The fact that the decision was unan-
imous in ali the cases was believed to
Justify the opinion that the railroads would
prefer perhaps to make a new application
to the commission on a new record OF
testimony.
There was a disposition at the offices OF
the commission 10 comment on the fluc-
tuations IN the stock - '1ets as indlcat-
ing a mlsapprehensiof the scope and
effect OF the commissions decision. Stress
was laid upon the fact that no reductions
whatever in rates were ordered by the
commission that. the rates remain in the
official classification territory a. they have
been for more than twenty years.
Western Reads Not Affected.
II also was pointed out that the railway
stocks affected most seriously we're those
OF lines that in no respect could be at
fected practically by the decisions None
OF the far western roads, like the Southern
Pacific. Union Pacific, Northern Pacific
and Great Northern. was interested In
others than a sentimental or sympathetic
way in the rate cases. Their rates were
not touched
One Of the commissioners, who refused to
be quoted BY name said:
None OF the lines west Of the Missouri
river could be affected materially by our
action in either the eastern or western
case. Their rates and the rates Of all
roads are just the same today as they were
yesterday. They are disturbed IN neither
their rates nor their traffic.
Yet, we have the anomalous situation
IN Wan street Of those very roads suffer
ing most from the slump In stock prices
Cautiously enough. Reading, Of all the
eastern lines, appeared TO suffer most from
the drop in prices yet as compared with
many other eastern roads It IL doing
fine business"
The eomnnissioper called attention to the
heavy fall in the prices OF the Pacific roads
which APPARENTLY sustained heavier losses
than some OF the eastern lines, yet he In
Sisted they we're not directly concerned in
the decisions and only moderately con-
cerned even indirectly.
No Formal Orders.
No formal orders were issued by the
commission. II was suggested that the pro-
posed advanced rates be ennuiled before
March 10, and II they were not withdrawn
by that time the commission would issue
an order putting the existing rates into ef-
feet for at least two years.
On such an order the railroads could APP
poel to the commerce court. but II was
argued here today II they were defeated
In that court they would be In worse posi-
ton than now because their rates would
then have TO remain in effect for two
years in compliance with the commissioner
orders.
The general expression about the commits
sion office, Is that another attempt VIII be
made by the railroads, perhaps in tile
course Of 4 rev months. to obtain an ad-
vance in rates.