Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-16
Ask Rehearing of 5 Per Cent
Increase Case, New Condi-
tons Having Arisen.
SAY FALLING REVENUES
CAUSE BAD SITUATION
Expected That Interstate Commerce
Commission Will Grant But
Brief Hearing.


commerce commission on the petition
made yesterday by the eastern rail-
roads for a rehearing of the advance
freight rate case and for permission to
put into force the s per cent increase
which the commission in its ruling a
few weeks ago denied them probably
will include only those conditions
which the roads claim have arisen since
the recent ruling. In case the commits
sioners hold hearings before reaching
| a decision on the appeal 1t is believed
| they will be brief.
It is contended by the railroads that
| their decreasing revenues. together
| with the war in Europe, have brought
| about a serious situation. The petition
ers add that they do not believe ade-
| ouate additional income can be OBJ
| tanned by putting into enect the m
! creased freight rates granted IN Cen
! trail Freight Association territory ana
! nv adopting other recommendations
/ made by the commission in its deci-
| sion.
Question of Income.
| Touching on income the report says:
THE reports of your petitioners for
the year ending June so, 1914, as com
pared with the year ending June 30,
ll913. show decrease in total operating
revenues of approximately s44,ivo.coO.
while during that same period operating
expenses have increased about S2S.SVo,-
600 After deductions of taxes and dencit
lin outs. de operations there was a De-
crease in operating income OF approx
ltmately $73, 100. 900, Notwithstanding an
Increased property investment
The report states that IL is conserfa,
lively estimated that the railroads OF
the country have obligations matur ne
&1,a
more than $500, 900. 200. and that II Is
imperative these should be met.
Large Part of Sum Owed.
"A large part of this sum-" 1t is add
ed, sis owed by your petitioners and
they will further need from time to tine
lin the next few years large amounss
Of money to provide for improvements
which will be necessary in the public
interest to prevent a serious deteriora-
ton in the standard of transportation
service"
The petition, signed by Daniel Will
lard, chairman of the executives com
mittee. and several counsel Tor the
roads, is from 112 railroad compapies.
It states that facts and circumstances
have arisen which. in the belief OF the
petitioners, will justify the relief
asked for.
ing June 30 1914, as compared with the
year ending June 80, 1918. shows de-
crease in total operating revenues OF
the roads concerned of approximately
period operating expenses have In
creased about 23.000.000. The reports
for July and August show a continu-
ance OF this declining tendency. not
withstanding the "extraordinary Efforts
that have been made to reduce ex-
lpenses"
Cites Effect Of War.
The petition also says that the un-
foreseen European war has brought
about an unparalleled destruction OF
wealth and dislocation of credit" and
that the railroad companies have obi
cations maturing in the next fifteen
months amounting to well over $780,
100000, and that sit is imperative in
the public interest that these obliga-
lions shall be duly met" In order to
compete effectively for this new capt.
tai, the petition declares, the railroads
must have material increase in reve-
nues.
The petition ends with statement
that the petitioners are proceeding as
| rapidly as possible to nut int" eject
the rates and rulings of the commits
son recently handed down.
1T is believed, howeve., that the ad-
ditional revenue which may be Sc
cured by the adoption of means other
than general advance in fie.Sht
rates can not be obtained in the near
future and when secui ed will be in
adequate to meet the needs OF the car
fiers for increased revenue in the
present situation.
Ask for Modification.
Wherefore your petitioners ask
that the commission modify the order
aforesaid, SO as to permit the carriers
to make effective the rates specified
in the tariffs which were by said or
der directed to be cancelled, except SO
far as they have been or may be su-
perseaied by advances filed in accord
ance with the report of the commits
sion, and that your petitioners may
have such other and such further re-
lief in the premises as to the commits
sion may seem proper"
| When the petition will be consia-
cred by the commission has not been
determined upon. Commissioners Dan
iels and McChord are the only MEM
bers in Washington, but the others
are within easy call II 1t is decided i'm
mediately to take up the appeal. lr
the commission determines to grant
hearings before reaching a decision on
the appeal 1t Is understood the pro-
ceedings will be comparatively brief.
Turkish territory in Europe embraces
| ON aouara miles.