New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-19

pOrtance TO be attached 70 lhe 'oi'Ne
considerations presented, we agree IN
the conclusion that, by virtue OF the
conditions obtaining at present, IL j.
necessary that the carriers revenues DC
supplemented by increases Throughout
official classification territory.
Whatever the consequences OF the
war may prove to be, we must Iecog,
nize the fact that il exists, the fact that
il is a calamity without precedent and
the fact that by il the commerce OF the
world has been disarranged and thrown
into confusion. The means OF trans
portation are fundamental and indls-
pensable agencies in our industrial Ire
and for the common veal should be
kept abreast of public requirements.
The original report, besides approx
ing a rate increase in Central Freight
Association territory, suggested ten
sources Of additional revenue for all
carriers throughout official classified
ton territory; the present report rec
ognizing the existence of new sltua-
ton since July 20, acquiesces in ter
ritorial extension of the relief granted
/ to the Central Freight Association lines
by permitting the carriers to file tarlf
providing, with certain exceptions spe-
Gifted herein, for horizontal rate in
creases in official classification terri
tory. II is expected that the construc-
tive work suggested in the original
report for the purpose of conserving
and augmentlng the net revenues OF
the carriers generally will be carried
forward without interruption.
Carriers will be required to keep an
account of the additions to their rev.
enues from increases in rates subse-
quent TO July 20. 1914, and from new
charges, and to report separately
thereon to the commission at the end
of twelve and twenty-four months, re-
spectively.
Exceptions 70 Increase.
For various reasons we shall except
from the proposed increase the follow
ing rates:
-Rail-lake-and-rail, alexandria,
and rail-and-lake rates. 1t is shown on
the record that since the rail carriers
acquired ownership and control of the
lake lines successive increases have
been made in the rates via lake tending
to lessen the differences between them
and the all-rail rates.
2. Rates on bituminous coal and
coke. Not long since these rates were
investigated and maximum rates were
prescribed by the commission. The
key rates upon bituminous ,oal-the
rate from the Pittsburgh district to
Youngstown and the rate on lake cargo
coal to Ashtabula- been fixed in
the light of the various factors which
enter into the transportation Of such
coal. The prevailing rates are re-
munerative, and the financial condition
of the principal bituminous coal car
rers is in marked contrast with that
of many of the other carriers in official
classification territory. Twice in the
not distant past the rates on bitumi-
nous coal have been increased five cents
a ton, and would seem now TO be as
high as may fairly be allowed. 1t must
be remembered also that the carriers
are not seeking general Increases IN
rates on anthracite coal, and both kinds
of coal are used in competitive mar
kets. As to coke the rates controlling
the greater volume of traffic now NOV
ing in official classification territory
have recently been set by the commits
sion upon basis which wa. specifically
designed to safeguard against shrink
ing the carriers revenue therefrom,
and which really resulted in substan-
tial additions to their earnings on that
traffic.
8. Rates on anthracite coal and iron
ore, largely because they are before us
for review in other proce dings.
4. Rates held by unexpired orders Of
/ the commission.
Previous Decision Changed.
In our original report we declined,
| for reasons there stated, to allow in
creased rates in Central Freight As
ISOLATION territory on cement, starch,
brick, tile, clay and plaster. On fur
/ Their consideration, in the light of the
existing situation, these rates may be
| increased throughout official classified
/ tion territory under the limitations
/ herein set forth.
Joint rates between official classified
| ton 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 per cent of the division
rate accruing to the carriers in official
/ classification territory. If these in
| creases involve change in the rela-
| tionship under the long -and-shor haul
/ rule between intermediate points and
more distant points outside of official
classification territory, relief from the
fourth section of the act must first be
secured on regular application.
Interstate rates to and from New
England from and to points in trunk
( line or Central Freight Association ter
ritory. where necessary to preserve es-
/ tablshed relationships between points
! or ports in New England and points or
/ ports in trunk line territory, may be
| increased not to exceed per cent.
Subject to the maintenance of the
/ established Atlantic port differentials,
rates to and from New York may be
| increased not to exceed 8 per cent, and
/ rates to and from Portland, Boston,
/ Philadelphia and Baltimore may be in
| creased to the extent necessary to
maintain said differentials.
Except as otherwise above specified.
rates in official classification territory
may be increased by not more than 5
/ per cent, but rates increased since July
/ 29, 1914, may not now be again in
creased so as to exceed those then in
effect by an aggregate of more than 5
/ per cent of the intraterritorial rate, or
/ of the portion or division of the inter
/ territorial rate accruing to the road or
roads in official classification territory,
ss the case may be.
If fractions in excess of one-half
mill are rounded upward. fractions less
than one-half a mill are to be dis
Carded
In some instances. and in part be-
cause of the tendency of this proceed
ing. we have recently suspended pro-
posed increased rates in this TERRITORY
Carriers may. if they so elect, now
cancel such tariffs so suspended and
file IN lieu thereof tariffs which con-
form TO the limitations above specified
II that is done such suspensions will
he vacated.
To the extent above indicated we
now modify our previous finding and
carriers affected may file, effective on
rot less than ten days notice such
tariffs as do not offend against the re-
strictions above stated.