Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-06-28
FREIGHT RATE
DECISION soon
----
merce Commission S
Ruling Will Affect Every
Wage Garner.
NET EARNINGS LOWER
As Compared With Previous Ten
Months, Net Earnings Per Mile for
Fast Ten Months Show Decrease
Of Nearly $1,000.
Sidney Espey3.

Washington, June 2S-One of the
most vital and far-reaching events in
the history of the Wilson administra
ton will occur when the interstate
commerce commission hands down it's
decision either granting or refusing
the per cent horizontal increase of
freight rates which the railroads OF
the nation have asked. 1t is expected
that this decision will now come in a
comparatively short time, and it is
anxiously awaited by practically every
business man in the United States.
While the shippers have made Wig
orous fight against the requested in
crease before the interstate commerce
commission, it is generally believed
that the rank and file of business men
favor the railroads contention, at
least in part Nobody thinks the rail
I roads will receive all they ask; most
observers declare the decision will be
compromise, with the railroads
granted most Of the important points
of their contention but with sharp
lecture on their financial methods of
the past and ACCOMPLISHMENT that they
must behave better in the future.
The decision has been delayed over
a long period of time, and it is stated
upon authority that nos even now have
members of the Interstate commission
taken final ballot upon their find
ings. They know, in a general way,
how they stand, and the views of
each member are definitely known,
The decision will, therefore, be COM
poste or mosaic of at least five diff
ferent views and probably it will be
hailed with dissatisfaction by both
the shippers and the railroads. One
thing is certain: it will not be any
more than meagre and partial
victory for the great carriers of the
country.
Railroads Must EcOnOmize.
The views OF Louis D.. Brandeis, who
is general counsel for the shippers
and one of the most vigorous oppon-
ents of the granting of the freight in
creases, have been adopted in part by
the interstate commission and about
two months ago the latter body upon
its own motion proposed series of
economies to the carriers looking to
the conservation of their revenue.
Since that time the commission has
made careful inquiry to see just how
far the railroads have accepted it's
suggestions If they have been taken
in good faith, the railroads stand
much better chance for liberal. treat
ment from the supreme body than
otherwise.
If the increase finally authorized is
- - 49,
cipally the class rate in the territory
west of the Pittsburgh-Buffalo line to
the Mississippi river, as is confidently
believed in some quarters, distant
disappointment will prevail not only
in railroad circles but by all who have
joined with them in their appeal.
The reason for that disappoint-
ment is this: The class rates are not
those that ordinarily provide the big
revenue railroads rely upon. 1t is the
outcome from hauls of coal, coke, iron
ore, gravel, building brick, and bulk
tonange of that class which puts mon
ey into the railroad treasures. While
they appear to bear low rates-gener-
ally less than 81 ton for 100-mile
movements, each car is profitable.
NATURALLY CuO dCIlOll VI CIS OOiA-
mission in the matter of commodity
rates is awaited with great concern.
The commission has recently investl-
gated many individual commodity
rates and has fixed what is in meas
ure standard, which was presumed
to remain in effect two years. 1t re-
mains to be seen whether the commits
sion will find that some advance in
commodity rate is necessary to meet
the exigencies so forcibly presented
by the representatives of the carriers.
Assuming that the class rates will be
measurably raised, as corresponding
raise in commodity rates would go far
toward relieving the railroads Of the
burden which undoubtedly bear.
Reports of railroad financial opera
tons for April show that for the ten
months of the current fiscal year the
net revenue, after taxes were provided
Tor, amounted only to $2,642 per mile
OF road, as compared with the $3,113
ior the corresponding ten months OF
the preceding year.
The decision Of the interstate COM
4 merce commission will directly or in
directly affect every wage-earner. The
railroads. cannot be in poor condition
Without the entire country feeling the
ehects OF this impoverishment.