The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-16
EASTERN RAILROADS SEEK REFERRING OF
 FREIGHT RATE CASE
Files Petition With I. c. c. Again Asking for , Per Cent Increase Re-
 gently Denied

Washington. september i5.-Rehear- ing of the eastern advance freight rntc case md permission to impose the i per cent insrensc recently denied them was sought today h, the eastern rail- roads in R petition filed with the In 1 tersfate commerce commission. The roads contended they faced an extremely serious emergency result ing from diminishing revenues and az sravated by war in Europe Adeauate additional income, the petition declared, could not be derived from the increases granted in central association territory and from putting into effect some of the commissions suggestions as 10 charges for certain free services and improvement in personnel and equir- ment.
 The petition, signed by Daniel Will lard, chairman of the executive com mittee, and several counsels for the roads, was in part, as follows:
 Willard's Petition
 Your petitioners 112 railroad eori- panies, comprising the 95 railroad sys- tems in official classification territory, respectfully petition the commission for such modification of the order of July %, 1914, as will permit the car riers to make effective the rates speci- fled in the tariffs which were by said order directed to be cancelled Since the filing of the report and entry of the order by the commission in these cases, facts and circumstances have arisen which, taken in connection with the facts already before your commits sion, your petitioners believe will jus tify the relief herein prayed for. These facts and circumstances are briefly as follows:
 The reports of your petitioners for the year ending June 30 1914, as com pared with the year ending June 30, 1913, show decrease in total operating revenues of approximately $44,700, 900. While during that same period, operat- ing expenses have increased about S23,- S00,0o0. After deductions of taxes and deficit in outside operations there was a decrease in operating income of ar- proximately s73700,o0o, notwithstand- ing an increased property investment. Thus such figures as are available fer August. 1911, show continuance of this declining tendency, motwithstand- ing the extraordinary efforts that have been made to reduce expenses.
 Effects of War
 "2. The unforeseen European war has brought about an unparalleled destruc- ton of wealth and dislocation of credit throughout the civilized world. It is cer- tain that the competition for capital will be keener and interest rates higher. The emergency thus resulting is extremely serious. It is conservatively estimated that the railroad companies of the United States have obligations maturing in the next 15 months amounting to well over $500, ,000,000 and it is Imperative to tho public that these obligations shall be duly met. A large part of this sum is owed by your petitioners and they will further need from time to time in the next few years large amounts of money to provide for improvements. In order to compete effectively for this new capital they must have a material increase in revenues.
 a. Your petitioners are proceeding as rapidly as possible to put into effect the increase in freight rates in central freight association territory authorized by the re- port of the commission and are giving earnest attention to the other recom- mendations and suggestions of the com mission with respect to other rates and practices
 Tt is believed, however, that the addi- tional revenue which may be secured by the adoption of means other than a general advance in freight rates cannot be obtained in the near future and when secured will be inadequate.
 "Wherefore your petitioners ask that the commission permit the carriers to make effective the rates specified in the tariffs which were directed cancelled and such other and further relief in the tariff as may to the commission seem proper"
 The railroad representatives determined to ask for modification of the advance rate case order at a series of confer ences in Washington. Their first move was the submission of an appeal to Pres ident Wilson to ask the people of the country to take more sympathetic attitude toward the roads.
 When the petition will be considered has not been determined upon. If the commission determines to grant hearings before reaching a decision on the appeal, it is understood the proceedings will be comparatively brief.