The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-03-31
ROADS ASK QUICK
RATE DECISION
Urge Commerce Commission
to Close Hearings
This Week.
SAY CRISIS IS SERIOUS
Would Have Freight Charges
Settled in Advance of
Other Issues.
ANSWER EXPECTED TO-DAY
Carriers Reply to Thorne With
Data as to Decrease of
Earnings.
ANSWER EXPECTED TO-DAY

In behalf OF the Eastern railways by
George r. Brownell, vice-president of the
Erie system. Mr.. Drowneli declared that
the business situation confronting the
railways Was grave, and that they were
greatly In need Of the relief sought
through the 5 per cent. freight rate In
crease.
The request made by Mr.. Brownell was
the surprise of the days hearing. The
railway men in attendance to-day came
in response to an invitation to present ad-
di,ional data concerning their financial
Affairs and TO rebut. IL they SO desired.
testimony given by Chairman Thorne OF
the Iowa Railroad Commission that the
Eastern carriers had padded their
operating and maintenance accounts in
tie effort TO make a case"
railing Promised for To-day.
After the railroad men had presented
figures tending to disprove Mr.. 1horne
charges, Nice-President Brownell made
the request that the commission expedite
the case by permitting the carriers to con-
.ude the presentation OF their evidence
and to make hnal arguments this week.
Every member OF the commission was
on the bench when Mr.. Brownell made
LIS request. After consultation with his
! gOIleak utS CHAIRMAN ftarIan announced
that the commission would make ruling
.o-morrow morning on the application.
., favorable reply to MIR. Browneii would
sure decision by the commission IN
tie advance rate case late in tho spring
" early in the summer. II the applica-
iea is denied hearings and arguments
nay continue long enough to defer a de-
cison until fall.
George Stuart Patterson OF the Penn
.Ylssnia Railroad. Mr.. Brownell and Mr..
horne we're the only witnesses to-day,
hr. Thorne spoke along the lines of his
recent testimony. The showing rnade by
'ae railway men OF .Asr needs for add,-
''orRl revenues seemed to make an i'm
preston on the members of the comm s.
s'pn.
Mr. Patterson placed in the record the
Attest figures obtainable with reference
10 The revenues and expenses of the flfty-
t"o carriers lat are asking for the in
cgease He said that 4, statst'
aaowed enormous increases in operating
-Apenses, decreases in total operating
revenues and an unprecedented decrease
n operating income.
Figures supporting Roads Plea.
The decrease In total operating revenues
for the nrst seven months Of the present
nsea' year. As compared with the same
period OF the preceding year. WAS xS.3as.-
Denses, $50 2tO.25J. and net operating
revenue decreased ssG.2O5.5G2. Taxes
alone SHOWED an Increase for the first
seven months of the present fiscal year
Of -, :44.OdO.
Summarizing. Mr.. Patterson said that
The operating income Of the carriers
showed a total decrease OF s5l .O26.935, or
- per cent less than for the seven
months of the preceding fiscal year OF
Nl3 The witness said further that the
hsures for February and March so far
omplled show that these two months
''uld show even greater operating ex-
l'e lses and decreased operating income.
Nice-President Brownell followed Mr..
Patterson on the stand He expressed
The hope at the outset that the proceed
ltgs could be brought to a close speedily.
Re declared that an early decision was
Of vital Importance 10 the general public
ne well az to the railroads.
at Is the earnest desire OF the car
hers," said the witness, "as II has been
their desire since these proceedings were
Instituted, TO complete the presentation Of
helr evidence In support OF the adv aneed
rates and close their cnse NJ the earliest
possible date 10 order that The matter
may he submitted for the consideration
ahd determination Of the commits sion
without any SvOidabie delay"
says Delay IL Not Carriers Fault.
Mr., Brownel said that the case was
really submitted to the commission In
May 1913. when to the carriers was de-
lied reopening of the old advanced rate
case. Then the commission started pro-
ceedins Of its own with reference to the
revenues II the Western carriers. The
matter dragged along, he said. until the
railroads. were compelled to prepare and
formally file with the commission new
urns, and these tariffs were suspended
pending the investigation and final de-
termination OF the case.
He said that for several months past
ne carriers have been ready and de sirous
70 proceed with their main case and TO
placr their executives upon the stand.
'oEtaung Mr. Brownell said:
Inc carriers win not be able to COM
'.te the presentation OF their case In one
Gay put would be able to complete IL in
'"f"" days. and they rcspectfully and
earnestly urge that the commission af-
.ofH Two additional days tins week to
enable them to complete their case"
n" quoted the figures presented by Mr.
PATTERSON and proceeded:
p" returns Of the roads In central
Teth' association territory for the sam,
,'"f.' N group l show decrease Of
'h'''f'I IN freight revenues and a de
.'t's' IN operating income of s25.
~. This Is without including the figures
'h' roads in group OF the central
f-sf' association. which II included
N"4Il show "a further decrease In operat-
NJ income of over $4,000. 900.
"ihr returns OF revenues and expenses
I"r February and March, ~ far Ms they
arc available, are In the same direction
"hd 1re 81 such signiaranrr. as compared
wen with the retHrns for the hsca, year
ehh'd June 30. 1919. ss to indicate that
va condition rOnfrOating the carriers NJ
we present time II one OF gravity ana