Evening journal., 1911-02-24
RAILROADS
LOSE FIGHT
Decision of Interstate Com
merCe Commission Pro-
flibitS Increase of Rates
ATTORNEYS FOR COMPANIES
DECLARE THEY WILL APPEAL
WHY ADVANCES ARE DENIED

The Interstate Commerce Com
mission holds that the railroads
have failed TO show sufficient rea-
sons for allowing an increase In
freight rates, the burden Of prooi
being on the carriers.
II comedies that great sums
have been spent for Improvements
and in wage increases, hut he
lieYes these can be met from pres
cnt revenues.
1t suggests, further, that with
more skilful management greater
tonnage might be handled with
out increasing the cost OF service.
The commission predicts that by
the end of the present fiscal year.
on July I, the earnings Of the
Western roads will reach the high
point OF the previous year. II its
optimistic forecasts are not con-
tirmed. II will consider the ques- 8
tion further.
In closing its opinion, the com.
mission says that the carriers cam >
not look to II TO negative or mod :
lily the expressed will OF Congress
BY United Press Leased Special Wire
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24-ln the do
cision of the Interstate Commerce
Commission prohibiting general
raise in freight rates. the progressiyes
In Congress declared today they had
achieved their greatest victory for the
people, and they were all smiles.
Tho decision was based on a sec.
tion of the Interstate Commerce law
passed last year. that placed the bur-
den Of proof that a proposed rate was
unreasonable, on the railroads A con
tention in behalf Of tho people
throughout the investigation befor,
the Interstate Commerce Commission
was that the railroads had offered n,
proof justifying an increase but slmp
y announced that they needed mor'
money.
Senator Curnmins Republican
Iowa. who led IN The work or makini
over the railroad bill, originally writ
ten by Attorney General Wickershan
| and submitted TO Congress BY Presi
dent Taft today said
The decision is very gratifying q
me and to the people who use th
railroads. It is marked evidence O
I the wisdom Of some of the change
which the progressives insisted upol
in the railroad legislation Of las
year"
May Club Business.
The general impression about tn,
commission was that the railroads ant
big business interests Of Wall street
would endeavor to make the effect oI
the decision seem AS adverse TO bust.
ness as possible. II Is expected thai
an effort will be made to produce Some
yeritication for the dire predictions
made by railroad attorneys during the
hearings.
The commission. however. is in
possession of figures and facts show.
ing tho condition Of the railroads
their profits and their resources; they
present strength and their possibii.
ties. and there Is no feeling Of feai
that any danger whatever to the rail.
roads is involved in the decision.
The plain fact that the railroads
failed 70 prove that they needed the
increased rates, is looked upon by
the commission as final and undenia.
bic proof that a continuance of their
present tariffs will not work any hard
ship upon them, The commissioner.
believe that the railroads VIII prov,
even more successful in The comm,
year, under existing tariffs, than the,
have been under the same tariffs ii
the last year.