The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-05-04

in the previous history of the coun-
try. Under such conditions in the
past, 1t has been customary to find
the car and locomotive builders work
ing their plants to their fullest ca
pacity, for. the purpose of providing
the equipment necessary to move the
expected tonnage.
AT the present moment, whether
we prove 1t or not, whether we like
1t or not, and l am sure we do
neither, the railroads as a whole, in
official classification territory. are
compelled by circumstances TO follow
policy of enforced economies which,
If continued, means less efficient and
less satisfactory transportation for
that very important part, of the
United States, and 1t seems to me
that our broad economic policy in
that connection should contemplate
more and better railroads rather than
fewer and poorer railroads. This
has well said that Commerce and in
transportation facilities.
During the entire progress OF the
case it has been the constant aim
and desire of those connected With
its development, that the utmost care
should be use din the preparation OF
statements and statistics, in order
clearly set forth. We have felt that
because of what has come to be the
semi-public nature of our employ-
ment as railroad officers, the public
as well as this commission has a right
to- expect from US a somewhat more
dBpassionate attitude concerning the
issues involved than would perhaps
otherwise be looked for. hope we
have not fallen too far short Of that
standard.
There Is one other matter which.
while not strictly in the case, is none
the less of the case, and to which /
think l made during the proceedings
to certain so-called propaganda,
supposed to have been prompted by
the railroads. Perhaps the best
answer we can make to that is a
plain statement of what we have
done. We have done, or tried to do,
two particular things: First, we in
formed the shippers of our needs and
consulted with them as to the best
means for supplying these1Reeds, and,
second, we took steps to keep them
and the general public informed OF
the facts, both before and after the
case was begun.
After the rate decision in 1911, a
number of my friends among the
shippers said to me that the railroads
had made mistake in that case by
not consulting with them-the shin.
pers-before definitely deciding upon
a course of action. When it was de.
cided to take the matter up again In
the present case, recalled the adj
vice which my shipping friends had
given me before, and to which / have
Just referred, and concluded that in
this particular instance would do
the thing that we had been criticised
for not doing in the former move
ment, and l may add that my associ-
ates were strongly OF the same point
OF view. With that in mind we met
committees representing trades associ-
atoms in Boston, Chicago, New York
and other cities for the purpose OF
discussing with them the needs of the
railroads, and we asked their con-
,sideration Of plan contemplating
small and substantially uniform
increase of all freight charges.
This, you will understand waEi he
fore any definite action was taken In
this case, and We found substantial
unaniftty In favor OF such a course.
and It was frankly decided to act ae-
cordingly. During the development
OF the case, however, continued