Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-08-06

commerce of that section, whereas the
burden should be borne by the entire ter
ritory. He would have granted the in
crease sought as necessary to increase
the revenues which the commission has
found that the carriers need, and he fur
Their argues that the discrimination shown
VIII tend to upset the long established
trade relationships of the various cities
involved
Commissioner Daniels holds that the
five per cent. increase should have been
accorded generally to afford fair return
on the property and to attract additional
investments, except where rates were
shown to hc fully compensatory contend
ing that such increase as is granted will
prove insufficient to afford n fair and real
sonahle return to the carriers for the
services which they perform
DANIELS PROTESTS.
Mr.. Daniels further protests that the
decision has been confused and unnorcs-
sariy delayed by merging with the issue
of freight rates IAN Irrelevant inquiry
into methods by which carriers may con-
serve their revenues without advancing
their rates"
The majority, headed by Chairman Har-
Ian, held as to rates west of Pittsburg
that they Were the lowest In the country
and warranted an increase. While it was
held that the income of the eastern rail-
roads was smaller than demanded in the
public interest, no showing had been
made warranting a general increase The
real belief, the commission held, for the
New England roads and those in Central
Freight association territory was finan-
cial REORGANIZATION upon sound basis.
The crisis" which railroad managers
protested were confronting them was
pronounced 10 have little foundation.
The commission denounced what 1t char
actenzed as a propaganda to influence
its decision, and added there was no
doubt it had seriously aggravated the
present commercial depression"
Such advances aus are allowed are ex-
pected to increase the income Of the rail-
roads about one and one-half per cent,
Such principa! East and West roads as
the New York Central, Pennsylvania,
Erie and Baltimore e Ohio will benefit
by the advances to the extent that they
have lines running from the East over
into the territory in which the advances
apply.
Coal which alone comprises more than
one-half the total traffic of the railroads,
Will have no advance.
THE contention of the railroads that
their revenues under the present scale Of
rates nre Inadequate" says the majority
opinion, rs sustained. the commission
saying that the operating income of tho
railroads in official classification territory,
taken as "A whole, is smaller than IS de-
manded In the interest Of both the gem
eral public and the railroads"
The present financial difficulties of
the railroads are recognized by the
commission as a problem not only of
the railroads but OF the public. which
it is the duty of the commission to
| help to solve
| On this point the commission says
| speaking of the need of the carriers
for additional revenues, that at is our
duty and purpose to aid, as far as we
legally may, in tho solution Of the
| problem as to the course carriers may
pursue to meet the situation"
! THREE RAFT TERRITORIES.
The commission points out that the
| official classification territory embraces
| three rates territories, known as the
New England territory, lying east OF
| the Hudson river; the trunk line ter
! ritory, lying between the New England
| territory and the Buffalo PittsburS
line, and the Central Freight associa-
ton territory. lying between the Buff
falo-Pittsburg line and the Missis-
sippi river. and that the financial and
traffic conditions OF tho railroads OPP
Grating In these three rate territories
differ widely,
The comisson finds that the rates
In Central Freight association terri
tory. as whole. are not only lower
khRn the. Eatea IN 1atthsx .tsas,aG haA ~