The Washington herald., 1914-03-31

. 7
ing the Investigation and final determine
tion Of the case.
Says Losses Are Large.
Mr.. Brownell said that the taking of
Testimony began November "a and since
then there have been numerous hearings
with respect to the propriety Of the car
riers making additional charges for the
spotting OF cars on Industrial tracks,
lighterage. reconsignments. diversions in
transit, and other services. He said that
for several months past the carriers have
been desirous to proceed with their main
case and to place their executives upon
the stand. Continuing. he said:
THE carriers will not be able to COM
plete the presentation OF their case In
one day. but would be able TO complete
IL in three days. and they respectfully
and earnestly urge that the commission
AFFORD two additional days this week to
enable them to complete their case. The
statement Of the revenues and expenses
of the carriers for the seven months end
ing January 81, 1914. show a decrease of
operating revenue amounting to s6.96. 80
and a decrease In operating income OF
over 100000 as compared with the
seven months ending January 81, 1913,
being a decrease in operating revenue of
LIS per cent and in operating income Of
25 per cent
Want to State Case.
The returns of the roads in Central
Freight Association territory for the
same period in group ]. shows decrease
Of S,I7S. al in freight revenues. and a
decrease in operating income Of SIS
IS. .5ss This is without including the
figures OF the roads in group OF Central
Freight Association roads, which, IL In
cluded. would show a further decrease
in operating income of over 100000. The
OF revenues and expenses for
February and March, so far as they are
are in the same direction, ard
are Of such significance as compared
even with the returns for the fiscal year
ended June %, 1918. as to indicate that
the condition confronting the carriers at
the present time is one gravity, and that |
il is of vital Importance In the Interest |
Of the public as well as of the petitioning |
carriers, that the question OF the pro- |
priety of the advanced freight rates |
should be submitted to the commission
for their determination at the earliest |
possible day.
We desire. therefore, that opportunity
now be afforded 10 advise the commission
FULLY with respect to the situation which
now confronts the carriers, and respect
fully urge that the commission proceed
With the inquiry on advanced rates with
Jut further deferring action on account OF
he collateral inquiry in regard to the
practices of the carriers involved in the
proceeding of investigation. but that the
after be then considered by the commits
ZION in due course
Clifford Thorne. representing Eight
Western railroad commissions, continued
he presentation of the protest of these
against the increase. Mr..
T'horne maintained that a physical valu-
Ltion Of the railroads should be completed
before any horizontal increase was
,ranted. and denied that there was any
.risis or emergency in the railroad in
iustry. He asserted that all other in
Iustries were affected. He claimed that
here had been a general falling OF in
business in the United States, and, in
act, the entire world since 1910. Mr..
rhorne declared that last year the car
iers' revenues above all operating ex-
enses and above all taXes-that Is, their
ct revenues-were greater than for
ny other year in their history. with the
reception of 1910
Mr.. Thorne reiterated his declaration
hat there was manipulation OF the in I
ONE and expenditures by the carriers. /