Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-02-24
The Railroad Rates

Washington, Feb. "A. Chairman
Judson c. Clements, Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. following the
announcement here Of the action on
the stock markets, wrote out aud autho-
rised publication of the following;
Chairman Clements OF the Inter
state Commerce Commission said that
no reductions in rates have been or
dered 10 the eastern and western ad-
yanced rate cases. The commission
simply stopped certain proposed adj
yances. These decisions do not reduce
revenues Of carriers 10 the amount OF
enc cent.
In the decision Of the commission
prohibiting q general raise in freight
rates, the progressives in Congress de-
clared today they had achieved their
greatest victory for the people and they
were all smiles. The decision was
based on section Of the Interstate
Commerce laT, passed last year, that
placed the burden of proof that pro-
posed rate was reasonable on the rail
roads. A contention in behalf Of the
people throughout the investigation
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, vas that the railroads had Of
fered no proof justifying An increase
but simply announced that they needed
more money.
The general impression about the
commission was that the railroads and
the big business interests OF Wall street
would enieavor to make the effect Of
the decision seem as adverse to bust
ness as possible. It is expected that
an effort will be made to produce some
reriication for the dire predictions
made by railroad attorneys during the
bearings. The commission, however,
is in possession of figures and facts
showing the condition of the railroads;
their profits and their resources; their
present strength and their possibilities,
and there is no feeling OF fear that any
danger whatever 10 the railroads is
involved in the decision. The plain
fact that the railroads failed to prove
that they needed the increased rates, is
looked upon by the commission as
final and undeniable proof that con
linuante of their present tariffs will
not work any hardship upon them.
The commissioners believe that the
railroads will prove even more success
ful in the coming year, under existing
tariffs, than they have been under the
SANG tariffs III the last year.
Fight is the HatehYord Of railroad
representatives here to-day, following
ihrir crushing dafeal IN tha great ye.e
BATHS At iha hands # i.ln Interstate
Commercc Commission Yesterday
ThsY pi!l fshl, Trey declare, AZ long
as there IS a possibility Of app, al.
They hope thai the decision Of the
commission preventing them from IN
creasing rates Oh single comncAiiy
will bs reversed By $ higher hodp. hut
at the least, they say. they will invoke
the law with suc', efiect that rare re-
auctions gill be postponed perhaps for
several years. The first maneonrer in
the continuation OF the battle will prob
ably be taken within the next few days:
vheu the railroads will apply &c tie
new commerce court for 40 INJUNCTION
aullifsins the decisions oi the comp;s
sion. This appeal w;;ll y;uGucstionasly
De made before March 10. OF which
day the commission has declared: that
unless pe-: and lover schedules have
been filled in the meantime, thev will
issue orders flying RATS fer two years to
come. st present no definite orders as
70 ho,S To-: rates shall be haze haen g
sued, the commission merely asking,
and not demanding. that the old sched-
ules, which were entirely satisfactory
10 the shipping public; be again en-
forced The railroads will not acceGe
70 lbs request Of the commission, and