The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-03-11

4 l.. i
stder-the,s4ort line dIsispses. oyer 9th;
er lines. from the Pittsburgh district,
we are still less to much territory.
and even for these shorter mileages
we are in some instances given the
Pittsburgh rates and In many In,
stances charged in excess Of them. 1t
lis significant also that the Pittsburgh
rates to long haul points are applied
from Wheeling. and points east and
west OF Pittsburgh within q lorty mile
radius. It is not necessary in the
Pittsburgh district, within this radius,
that a point shall be located on the
main line. but the branches which orig
mate much of the traffic are extended
the same general basis, whereas. IN
our district here, point but a few
miles from the main line, such as Wes'
ton. is hearing an extraordinary adj
vance even over the Fairmont rates.
1.-THE principle OF making rates to and
from branch points. which curtail de-
velopment at such points has been
denounced by the commission on the
presumption that the branch, original
ling the traffic. might show a higher
cost for operation per ton, but that the
Increased expense incurred is a nee
essary incident to transportation ami
a condition precedent to the protita'
BILE operation Of the line as a whole
It follows, therefore, that branch
nonts should not be treated as they
raye been in West Virginia, but should
enjoy the same relative through rates
for the service as is granted main limo
noints. Mileage is one OF the CONTROL
| ing elements in rate construction, anu
from this standpoint, and others, the
freight rates for this locality must be
recast. The general business and the
principles' set down by the commission
having outgrown the basis Of rates.
which seem TO have been changed lit
tie for a number Of years. With prop
az rate adjustment there seems to be
no reason why this territory should
not attract large capital and become
as potent factor as the great Pitts
6urgh district, since 1t has all the nat
,ral advantages of the great center
| md lacks only railroad competition.
The fuel supply will necessarily make
cost OF production in central West Vir'
! ginia less than the Pittsburgh district,
a greater period OF time and proper
'oresight would seem to dictate a poi
icy for the Baltimore and Ohio sys'
EN- that would encourage for itself
The large benefits that will come
through an equitable rate adjustment:
,ven selfish motives would seem 10
prompt this adjustment, yet it is
doubtful whether they will come to
recognize The importance Of immedi'
.te action, II the public aud the bust
less interests OF this district fail TO
appreciate their preogatiVe, and give
10 expression Of their commercial dis
advantages Uniformity Of action is,
| therefore,, conductive to the desired
md, aud similarity OF location on the
| part of the several towns and cities in
central West Virginia presents 4 ecu.
iition with many parallels from a traf-
&c standpoint. 1t is not necessary
| chat these interests should assume an
antagonistc attitude toward the Bal
:imore and Ohio, on the contrary both
the railroad and the people join in the
benefits to be derived. That this
should be The most progressive and
desirable locality for industry on the
Baltimore and Ohio lines is obvious,
md the Increased tonnage ana reVe.
lues that would result to the Balti.
more and Ohio you'd be Incompatible
With the share of business which it Sc.
cures from such competitive districts,
rs Wheeling, Pittsburgh and similar
arge producing and competitive
points. A prejudice. however, exists
oward the voluntary reduction in
rates by any carrier, lest It ieopardize'
is interests with other carriers and
,thcr Localities. and its further fear
hat material reductions III dates may
>e interpreted by employees as an ad.
mission that existing revenues provide
sufficient for increased wages. 1t fire.
1uently is the case that carrier Is
relieved 0! embarrassment when the
subject is presented to tho commits.
sion, even though it is defendant to
the case, nor are the business inter
ests OF this territory concerned beyond
obtaining what they are entitled to.
viz: reasonable rates, which are recoS.
nized as reasonable by comparison