New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-08-02

roads operating in Central Freight
Association territory, as disclosed on
the record, indicated that they Jolneu
in this proceeding not because they
thought the so-called per cent IN
crease of rates would meet their re-
ouirements or that this form of rellef
is appropriate in Central Freight AS.
ISOLATION territory, but only because OF
the desire of other and more po"eriui
lines operating in trunk line territory
to present to us in this proceeding one
general plan OF relief
The commission then adds:
There can be no doubt upon the
record that the carriers IN central
Freight Association territory ought, IN
the public interest, to have as mucn
additional revenue as would be pro-
duced by per cent increase, as
modified herein, and possibly more.
1t is not improbable, however, In view
Of the notifications we have required
in those tariffs, that they will find 1t
more desirable at once to undertake
the readjustment which they assert IS
necessary.
Carriers Failed in Proof.
The commission finds that the car
riers operating in Central Freight As
ISOLATION territory are entitled TO an
increase not exceeding per cent on all
class and commodity rates on ship
ments wholly within that territory, ex-
cept the rates on coal. coke, iron ore,
cement, brick, tile, clay, starch and
plaster as to which the carriers did not
sustain their burden of proof, and any
rates which are controlled by specific
uneXpired orders Of the commission.
The proposed increases in lake and
rail rates and in rate between Central
Freight Association territory and other
portions of official classification ter
ritory are disallowed. The effect of
the findings is also TO disallow the APP
pication of the proposed minimum in
crease of five cents a ton on those
commodities for which a charge is now
made of less than 81 a ton. This mini
mum increase, in some instances,
would have resulted in increasing rates
as much as % to SO per cent.
"The commission finds that the finan-
olsl conditions of carriers in trunk line
territory do not warrant a general IL
crease of freight rates and that the
needs Of the New England lines are
being cared for locally, and disallows
the proposed increases in those terri
tories; but under the title of chow car
Ticrs may increase their revenues"
finds chat great opportunity exists for
increasing the net revenue of all car
r;ers in official classification territory
otherwise than by restoring TO a gen-
ersl advance in their freight rates" and
makes the following specific sugge5-
tons:
"The commission suggests that. fol-
lowing the plan adopted in New Eng
land, conferences be held between the
state commissions, the carriers, and
representatives Of the public with q
view to advancing such passenger fares
as may be shown to be clearly unre-
muncratiYe.
For Higher Fares.
with respect to fares fixed by
statutes in certain states, the commits
sion expresses confidence that if these
fares are clearly shown to be un1uly
Of those states will cheerfully acquiesce,
as the people of New England have
done in reasonable increases and that
the necessary legislative authority will
be promptly given"
The commission suggests that call
railroads in official classification terri
tory should ascertain 10 what extent
special services now being rem
dered by the carriers 10 shippers for
which no special charge, or nom
compensatory charge, is made .
constitute an unjust burden upon the
carriers or result in unjust dscrim-
ination among the shippers.
nj oil 70 Go
dependent investigation of some of
these subjects, and particularly Of
switching, lghterage, and storage in
New York, Chicago and other large
cities the results of which will be sub
mitted later for the consideration or
carriers and shippers.
Sell Other Properties.
The commission suggests that "as
soon as reasonable opportunity offers
properties heretofore acquired by the
carriers which are not used or held by
them for transportation purposes be
sold" adding: From compilations pre-
pared by the commission of the in
complete replies TO our questions. 1t
appears that the aggregate cost of
such investments in official classified
ton territory was more than 1854. 000,-
900. Included in these are properties
Of the aggregate cost of $lS3.l46,659
from which no net income whatsoever
was received in 1918. These invest
ments by the carriers have, through
increasing the amount of capital re-
qured to be raised, imposed in many
cases a great and unnecessary strain
upon the carriers credit, with the
result of an increased charge on all
new capital secured and sometimes of
preventing improvements which would
have yielded transportation econo-
mics"