Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-12-24


Whether for service too high too low is
question largely Of comparative values whether for labor OF
the hands for transportation other service This funda
mental proposition has been demonstrated and again
For example the people who went from the eastern States
to the Pacific slope during the period of that sections greatest
development complained of the high cost of living be-
they received corespondingly high wages.
During past decade there has been gradual readust
ment of values in the United States The prices of many
food products and other necessare of life have increased
and wages have been raised host of instances to maintain
a proper equilibrium. Rates for interstate commerce trans
poraton the other hand being under government control
could not be advanced proportion the increased cost of
such service without the consent of the interstate commerce
commission and natural at the outset that patrons of
public service agencies should oppose general increase in
rates, especially in view of neutrality-suspicious. employed in
instances
AS long ago 1910, representatives of the railways in
official classification territory east of the Mississippi made
application to the interstate commission for an
advance of 10 cent freight rates but the application
refused In 1913 appeal made for the reopenng
of the case but it again refused
The railroads thereupon filed tariffs showing in
in rates appoXimang cent These new rates
were suspended by the commission and the railroads were
oed to present evidence usyng the proposed increases
An advance granted in the central division in July
the favorable decision which has been announced for the
eastern states to be important for the
changed attitude Of public opinion it represents than for the
financial effect promised in increased revenue. 1t
the adoption Of broad constructive policy the
future with strengthened public confidence in railroad
Haven road the other hand the increase that
resulting from the order will be between 100000 and
$250000 year whereas far during the fiscal year the
freight earnings of the New Haven have decreased $780,
600.
The increase in this basis, will not make it
possible for the railroads institute many additional improve
but will simply help make good deficits diminished
earnings In other words will help relieve the distress
of the railroads growing out of abnormal business conditions
resulting from the and in part from the effects
of tariff smashing
The general increase asked by the railroads would
have meant $50000000 additional income, whereas the m
atons placed upon the reduce the estimated increase
to $300O0000 This amount distributed between the differ
ent roads gives each comparatively small piece of pie.
The decision awards the carriers per increase
everything except COAL coke and iron which would have
been of particular benefit to New England railroads. Rates
bumnous coal and coke recently adjusted while
anthracite and rates before the commission in
connection with other proceedings Rates held by unexpred
orders Of the commission also excepted Rail and lake
rates not changed because the carriers have increased
rates by water and essened the difference between the
combination and the all-rail charges.
President Wilson quoted confident the increase in
of transportatons we'll banking authorities be
generally agreed to the favorable effect the general
situation
The fact that the commission divided and that large
shippers taking radically opposite views makes the
concurred in the opinion included Commissioners Clark
Cured decision but disagreed with the reasoning of the
majority while Commissioner Clements dissened in every
particular.
The majority give their for granting the
advance the falling off in the of railroads. the effect
of the European and the necessity to which railroads
have been put to decrease their expenditures for
thereby possibly mparing safety of operation With the
need conceded the railroads have been prevented
by the from raising in Europe with consequent
increased for in this country The majority
hold that the means of transportation should be kept abreast
of public requirements
Chairman Harlan held that while revenue need
ed there should also be general revision of accompanied
by the abandonment of practise found unremuneative
He the New of nOtaS
for horizontal increase but only rates traffic moving
between this territory and other parts Of officially classified
territory.
Commissioner Clements declares the majority have
abandoned all the usual tests for fixing reaonabeness
the decision constituting new and radical departure
He believes action based general financial conditions will
have demoralizing sequel
Commissioner Thorne of the Iowa State railroad
mission is expected to begin legal action the
roads from carrying the increase into effect advance
hearings special commodities holding the railroads
whole have made in the past five years than
in other similar period in their history while Of the
big shippers talking Of nunctions Public opinion the
whole faVOr the increase and remains to what
extent public opinion will prevail.