The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-15
WHITRIDGE FEARS
FOR WILSON BOOM
Says II Will BE Stalled Until
Commerce Commission
Learns Lesson.
PASSED ON TO THE PUBLIC
That Is What Third Avenue
Head Says Becomes Of Extra
Charges Upon Railroads.

Frederick w. Whltridge. president Of
the Third Avenue Railway Company, left
for Europe last night on the steamship
Lusitanla. He will be absent from this
country for about three months, spending
most OF his time in Scotland, where he
has an estate. Before leaving Mr. Whit
ridge said he hoped to be back In time for
the Wilson boom in business"
Mr.. Whltridge was asked for his opin-
ion with regard to the proposed increase
In freight rates and the attitude OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission toward
the railroads of this country
The Interstate Commerce Commission.
he replied. seem to be clumsy. mar
ticulate lot with a penchant for shady
lawyers.
II am not subject to their jurisdiction
and cannot speak OF them from experience.
but l have read their maunderings about
their foolish and futile valuation no
tions. and ] was told a few months ago
Of the Illegal and impertinent questions
they sent to the railroads Some of the
railroad presidents refused to answer, but
| presume many OF them did not. for our
public is being rapidly educated to be-
lieve that an official demand for the kow,
tow may not be refused. IL 1t is not,
however. stoutly refused some OF our
officials never will learn that humility
which is the beginning OF wisdom.
MANY railroad men also tell me that
under the system OF accounts prescribed
by the commission the object. or GER
tainly the effect, is to make net earn
ings loom unnaturaly large by charges
| TO capital which should be made to
| operation. II this be so. as many first
class railroad men hold, the ultimate con-
sequence to the railroads cannot hut be
disastrous Whether however. II is true
or not 1; is evident that the commission
| is slower than death to recognize the
necessity for increasing rates and. there
| fore. however conscientious they may he
| they are afraid. though they be brave
enough over a state scandal
ut In also evident that the commission
| had not got "A glimmer Of the truth eN-
| pressed year or so ago in England by the
Prime Minister. Mr.. Asquith. on the
occasion OF settling a strike by the in
| crease OF wages, which had been awarded
| by arbitrators Mr. Asquith said to the
railroads that In order TO help then
| to grant the increase he would promise
| legislation which would pass the extra
| charge on to the public" That IL what W,
| must learn here. Public authorities ar,
continually imposing charges upon th'
railroads. increased taxes, full crew laws
| arbltrations. increasing wages. compensa
ton acts, &c.. which all in effect con
stitute charges, like receivers certificate.
prior to our mortgage bonds.
| Now that rascality and bad manage
ment are supposed to have been eliminated
/ by State regulation and there can be n,
cooking of accounts, where Is the none,
/ to come from TO pay these charges
except from the pockets OF the public
II the railroads are to remain solven
and efficient all such charges as thes
must as Mr., Asquth said. he passed OF
to the public
THE press is beginning to perceive
this Until the Interstate Commerce Com
mission learns II the gigantic boom Mr.
Wilson has promised us will. notwith
standing the crops, remain stalled"