The Washington times., 1913-02-01
M|LL|OAS INVOLVED
IN VALUATION OF
RAILROAD SYSTEM
Shippers Urge Congress to Pass
Measure Which May Check
Rate Increases.

Millions of dollars to the shippers of
the United states are Involved in the
question Of whether Congress at this
session or in the near future shall pass
the bill for the physical valuation of
railroads. The Senate Interstate Com
merce Committee has determined to
make a favorable report on this bill. A
similar measure is pending in the
House. and railroad men and shippers
all over the United States are keenly
interested to know whether the bill will
be passed this session.
The special and extreme Importance
from the matter at this particular time
arises from the constantly accumulating
evidence that the railroads have de-
termined on general rate advances,
amounting to many millions Of dollars.
What the magnitude of such advances
may be judged in some measure by the
fact that it was estimated the last at
tempted general advance of rates by
the roads would have meant $50. 100000 a
year to the shippers.
Rate Increases Planned.
For many months, in fact ever since
they were defeated in the last effort
to make a general advance, the rail-
roads have been planning to renew the
attempt Information here is quite defi-
mite that they are about ready to make
the increases. In fact, they are even
now making them. stories are afloat
that the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has consented to them, but this
lacks confirmation, and is unbelievable.
In fact, for the commission to give
consent to increases of a general ma
ture until a showing had been made as
to their reasonableness would prove the
commission no longer a fit body to hold
public office. About all the commission
could properly do would be to say that,
II the roads showed increases were ius-
titled, they would be granted. This
would. of course. be strictly within the
law.
Now. with general rate increases at
han6, it will be highly important wheth-
er the Government has a valuation of
The railroads of its own or not IL the
bill should be passed. the commission
would at cnce set out to value the
roads Even if this enormous task had
not been completed when II was need
full TO pass on the advances inrates,
there is little question that data of
great value would be accumulated.
Railroads Prepare Figures.
The railroads themselves have been
making valuations in the last two or
three years. Neither the commission
nor the shippers OF the country will
ever consent to accept these valua-
tons blindly as a guide in adjusting
rates.
Billions of dollars one way or an
other are involved in the question
whether one principle or another Is fol-
ly. much depends on whether the COM
mission maps out the principles to be
followed or whether the railroads do
II and resolve all disputed points in
theiry favor.
1t is doubtful whether a physical val
rstion bill can be passed at this session.
The reason, in part, Is that Democratic
leaders want TO hold back all impor-
tant legislation as far as possible un-
iii the. new Administration: They have
a curious theory they will get more
credit out of IL. 1t is doubtful, how
ever. IL the shippers of the country.
who are clamorous for a physical val
nation of the roads. will see it in this
light.
Want Legislation Deferred.
The railroads, under the existing cir
cumstances. with plans made for large
rate increases. will find 1t distinctly to
their advantage IL the proposed legis-
laticn is deferred and their influence
will be exerted I'm that direction. The
is such that the holding baci:
OF the bill is likely to do the Democrats
far more harm than IL will do them
good to wait and pass II In their regime.
Railroad Commissioner Thorne, of
Iowa. who has been here for the last
few days. is hopeful the bill will pass
this session. Mr.. ThOTne Is convinced
the railroads, on the plea that they need
more revenue for wages, dividends. and
the like, are planning general rate in
creases He says Congress should not
delay the valuation bill under such cir
and that il is specially i'm
portant to have II passed at once. The
same feeling is understood to be widely
by shippers organizations