Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-03
RITE BOOST WOULD
FORGE OWNERSHIP
pustIc SENTIMENT WOULD CON.
PEI. TAKING OVER OF RAIL.
ROAD LINES.
IOWA AND ENTIRE WEST
INTERESTED IN RATE CASES
commisslonsr Thorns confounds Rail-
road Presidents and Thsir Attorneys
Wins Compliments From erandsis
-RaiIroads, Own Figures Used to
Disprove Thsir Contentious.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, April 3-Rumors are
current one way and another as to
how the advanced rate case now pend
ing before the interstate commerce
commission will be settled. Tho rail-
roads profess to feel confident they will
be granted an increase, in part, il not
all. they are asking for.
Whatever the decision Of the COM
mission. one thing IL apparent to those
who have studied the situation careful
ern territory are in no such critical
situation as they have been represent
ed to be through lack Of earnings
Their credit is not impaired as COM
pared with industrial concerns and
there is no adequate ground for in
creasing their freight rates.
West vitality Interested.
The Iowa public is deeply concerned
in t11iS matter. The proposed increases
will be reflected in Iowa and other
western roads will follow the example
of the eastern roads If the eastern
roads are allowed the increases they
and other middle western states have
ford Thnrne to represent them at this
hearing.
Mr. Thorne has, IN the minds Of men
competent to Judge, punctured the rail-
road case. He has taken the statistics
Of the railroads themselves and has
turned them against them, to show
60 {ri, ND ~
show that their net corporate income
is ample and adequate. He has laid
before the commission a wealth Of
facts on the subject Of the revenues
and credit OF eastern railroads that has
amazed men who have listened. has
disconnected the railroad attorneys and
has won the high commentator Of
Louis D. Brandies. special counsel of
the Interstate commerce commission In
this case.
II the decision Of the commission Is
favorable to the roads it will not be
because of any failure Of Mr.. Thorne
to make a showing. Nor will it be due
to any failure on the part Of Mr.. Bran
deis.
Incrsass Long Contemplated.
Here is about the situation: Ever
since 1910 the railroads have been pre-
pairing in an organized way to get their
rates Increased. In the first general
advanced rate case. they were turned
down. Then they went to work in a
much more careful and systematic
way. A great publicity campaign has
been conducted. Publicity and political
pressure have been brought to bear on
the interstate commerce commission.
It is even asserted by many eastern
newspapers that President Wilson has
talked with some of the interstate
com merce commission about the rate
situation ana wants something done to
help out the railroads.
Public Ownership Would Follow.
II the commission does anything to
relieve .he roads there is apparently
Just one thing it can properly do and
that is to abolish special services for
favored shippers. This ought to be
done In the interest Of the small ship
per and the public. But II the COM
mission allows the per cent increase
Or anything Ike II. one may expect a
wave Of protest to sweep over the
country. In fact, many thinking men
believe that II the commission does
return such a decision AZ the railroads
ask for 1t will mark the beginning OF
the end Of the government regulation
Of railroads in this country and will
move the nation many steps nearer to
government ownership.