South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-18
RAILROADS GET
5 PER CENT RAISE
ON SOME RATES
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Says Net Income Does
Not Meet Operating Require
mentS, So Grants Increase.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-A decision
favorable 10 the railroads was handed
down by the interstate commerce
commission today in the five per cent
rate increase. 1t granted permission
to the railroads to make increases in
certain territory not TO exceed five per
cent, at the same time forbidding this
increase to be added to rates hitherto
raised.
The commission was divided on the
question of granting the railroads ap-
peal. C nmissioners Clements and
Harlan dissented in the opinion of the
majority.
The decision of the majority was as
follows:
In view of the tendency toward a
diminishing net operating income as
shown by the facts described we are
of the opinion that the net operating
income of the railroads in official clas-
sifcation territory taken as a whole is
smaller than Is demanded in the in
terests of both the general public and
the railroads and it is our duty and
our purpose to aid SO far as we le-
gally may in the solution of the prob
lem as 60 the course that the carriers
may pursue to meet the situation.
Need More Revenue.
While we differ as to the relative
importance to be attached to the va
rious considerations presented we
agree in the conclusion that by virtue
of the conditions at the present it is
necessary the carriers revenues be
supplemented by increase throughout
official classification territory.
hn Of 1nn
war may prove TO be. we must recog-
nize the fact that t exists; that it is a
calamity without precedent and the
fact that by il commerce OF the world
mas been disarranged and thrown into
confusion. The means of transpOrta-
ton are fundamental and indispens-
able agencies in our industrial life and
for the commonwealth should be kept
= abreast of public requirements.
Joint rates between official classi-
fcation territory on the one hand and
southeastern territory. the southwest
and points on or east of the Missouri
river on the other may be increased
not to exceed five per cent of the di-
vision of the rate accrUing TO the car
riers in official classification territory.
Interstate rates TO and from New
England, from and to points in trunk
line or central freight association ier-
tablishe1 relationships between points
or ports in New England and points or
ports in trunk line territory. may be
increased not TO exceed five per cent.
May Increase Rates.
Subject to the maintenance of the
established Atlantic port differentials,
rates to and from New York may be
increased not to exceed five per cent
and rates to and from Portland. BOs-
ton, Philadelphia and Baltimore may
be increased to the extent necessary
to maintain said differentials.
Except as otherwise above speci-
fed. rates in official classification ter
ritory may be increased by not more
han five per cent, but rates increased
since July %. 1914. may not now be
again increased so as to exceed those
then in effect by an aggregate Of more
.han five per cent or the intra terri
tOrial rate or of the portion or division
OF the road rate.
Carriers may If they see fit cancel
such tariff suspended and file in lieu
their tariff which conforms to the linn
itatiOns above specified. If that is
done such suspension will be vacated.