New-York tribune., 1911-02-25
Yoakun's View a Hopeful One.

T. Yoakum. head Of the Frisco sys-
ten. was among the few railway men in
clined 10 take a hopeful view Of the situ-
alton He said.
When what is asked is not received it
is always a case Of disappointment. So it
is with the action of the Interstate Com
merce Commission in this rate decision.
1The commission estimates that if the
hGreases asked had been granted they
would have amounted to So. 900 co1. or less
thsn per cent Of the total earnings Of
the railroads Of the country for the last
fiscal year. as furnished by the commits
sion.
If this rate question had not been one
Of public discussion for more than twelve
months. with every one guessing what the
Interstate Commerce Commission ruling
Mould be. IL would not have been regarded
a. in any way approaching the impor-
tsnce which it has assumed. II the ad-
vance in rates. through the usual form Of
hling tariffs. had been declined by the COM
mission in the ordinary way. il would have
been passed over with little notice. This,
following the midnight injunction issued
under Instructions Of President Taft. has
brouc the question into general no
torety and importance which it would not
otherwise have assumed
Under such circumstances We are liable
to foresee disastrous difficulties which will
never happen. and the discussion of the
verdict from that point Of view is liable TO
do more harm 10 the credit of railroads
than the decision itself.
F. J.. Underwood. president Of the Erie
Railroad Company. said that he was not
surprised A. the decision, which. 10 his
mind had been a foregone conclusion. he
continued.
This decision is going 10 cost the public
dearly. D. vas stated by the papers that
the shippers had won great victory The
shippers were not really concerned at all
Railroad revenues come from the great
consuming public. and that is where bur
den imposed by this finding will rest II
would have been better for the consumer
II fair needs Of the carriers had been pro-
vded for
Says Roads Must Curtsil.
Not having the money 10 spend. the
railroads Will not buy equipment or pro
lect extensions, except where the need for
such is urgent Just as few men will get
employment as are absolutely required 10
operate The lines and keep them in repair
VIII the decisions make any immediate
difference with the Eries plans for i'm
proyements2'. Mr. Underwood was asked
no We have been playing the waiting
game for a long time in the hope that the
Commission would allow US TO increase
revenues and make IT easier 10 provide
ilnds. We must continue along the same
lines
roswell Miller, chairman Of the board or
'he Chicago Milwaukee & 81. Paul. said;
The Interstate Commerce Commission
VIII have 20 bear the burden which Will
result from it's decision. and | am much
mistaken II the burden will be light The
nrst ones 10 suffer will be the commercial
interests which opposed the advances and
pursued d penny wise and pound foolish
policy"
samuel Rea. vice president of the l'onn-
sNYanA Railroad Company. estimated the
rensylyania's wage increases east or
InEpurg al upward of 100000, where an
e'fnated amount OF increased revenues
ron the proposed rate advances on certain
s''Nies and groups would have amounted
p" about 10000 He added
iear IL will be a severe jolt 10 business,
'nd what earthly inducement for foreign
@W'al 10 invest I'm railroad securities VIII
mere be-and we do not have enough at
ugIne-eyen II il would venture?"
OsHus Miller. president Of the Chicago