Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-19

lis calamity without precedent and the
fact that by it the commerce of the
world has been disarranged and
thrown into confusion. The means OF
transportation are fundamental and in
dispensable agencies in our industrial
life and our common veal should be
kept abreast of public requirements.
''The original report, besides approx
ing rate increase in central freight
association territory, suggested ten
sources Of additional revenue for all
carriers through official classification
territory; the present report, recogniz-
ing the existence of a new situation
since July 20, acquiesces in territorial
extension of the relief granted to the
central freight association lines by per-
hitting the carriers to file tariffs pro-
viding, with certain exceptions speci-
fled herein, for horizontal rate in
creases in official classification terri
tory 1t is expected that the construc-
tive work suggested In the original re-
port for the purpose of conserving and
augmenting the net revenues of the
carriers generally will be carried for
ward without interruption.
Carriers will be required to keep an
account of the additions to their rev.
enues from increases in rates subse-
quent to July 20, 1914, and from new
charges, and to report separately there
on to the commission at the end of
twelve and twenty-four months, Sc
spectively."
After Long Fight.
0f n
for rehearing of the rate case was
made on September Is, last, on the
ground that the European war and
other stated reasons had materially
changed conditions since the previous
decision was given
The petition for rehearing stated
that it was made in behalf of 112 rail-
road companies, comprising thirty-five
railroad systems in Official classified
ton territory" 1t set forth that since
the commissions previous decision
"facts and circumstances have arisen, -
warranting a rehearing on the subject.
Specifically it was stated that since the
previous decision the complete income
accounts for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1914, had become available.
"The unforeseen European war;" the
petition went on to say, "has brought
about an unparalleled destruction of
wealth and dislocation of credit
throughout the civilized world. 1t is
certain that the competition for CAPT.
tai will be keener and interest rates
higher for some years to come than
in any corresponding period within liv-
ing memory The emergency thus re-
al
Minority Opinion.
Chairman Harlan, while agreeing
that the roads have expressed their
need of revenue in even create amount
that S5O,0O0,O00 which the carriers in
Dictated would result from the five per
cent increase, declares his entire
dissent from the course now approx
ed by the commission for permitting
the carriers to augment their rev.
enues"
He said no evidence had been pro-
duced to prove that any of the pro-
posed increased rates affecting trunk
line or New England territories were
just and reasonable.
1--WE pointed out" he said, Tin our
original report the sources from
which the needed additional net ine
crease and should be obtained-name-
ly, by revision of rates and an aband-
onment Of practices found to be un-
remunerative or wasteful.
II cannot but think that general
increase in the standard rates of this
country, while the rates structures OF
these carriers remain full of incon-
sistencies, determinations and wrong.
full practices that deplete their rev.
enues, is morally wrong; that the plac-
ing of additional burdens on interstate
commerce that is not also placed on
state commerce, is also wrong; and
that the course approved in the sup
Elemental report will ultimately be as
disastrous to the carriers themselves
as it will be harmful to the general
interests
GARDNER SHOWS