The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1914-01-08
MORE DATA TO
AID RATE RULING
Railroads Seeking Increased
Pay Must Give Details.
PROVISIONS FOR ECONOMY.

New information Sought Includes Rev
enues Derived From Transportation
of Different Commodities and Inter
locking Boards and Contracts-Sev-
enty nine Questions Submitted.
Washington.-Railr of the Unit
ed States seeking authority to increase
their freight rates on an average of =
per cent are requested in an order is
sued by the interstate commerce com
mission to submit detailed information
concerning their financial operations.
An inquiry into the rate case was
begun several weeks ago, and the rail
roads told their side. The shippers
who are fighting the proposed increase
are yet to be heard. The commission
has gone over the evidence submitted
by the railroads and has asked for sup.
Elemental data.
The commissions order issued does
not foreshadow delay in the promulga
ton of a decision In the application
for authority to increase railroad
freight rates. 1t indicates that the
commission does not intend to decide
the case merely on the ex parte state,
ments of railroad managers
The new information sought by the
commission covers these questions:
Revenues derived from the transpor
tation Of different commodities and the
practice of the railroads In granting
TO shippers special service or allow
ance in connection with transportation
service.
Economy in methods of PURCHASING
equipment materials and supplies,
their uses and practices in connection
with various transportation operations.
Financial history and transactions Of
carriers.
Conflicting interests, particularly the
financial interests of directors, officers
and employees In the business transac-
tons to which the carriers are also
parties
Contracts made between the carriers
and sleeping car and parlor car compa
MES and the results of such contracts.
Also general information not en-
DIdCtu III IlIIuldlS htItlOAOlt lsShtNA
by the commission.
Seventy nine questions bearing on
rates are submitted to the railroads
The answers must be made before
Jan. 81.
Elaborate and helpful contributions
from the carriers accounts have been
submitted by the railroads with a view
to diminishing net returns from op
erations and lessened net income" said
the commission in an announcement
explaining its inquiry. These state
ments do not furnish fully the data
sary to determine the general course
| to be pursued. The carriers are there
| fore further ordered and directed to
| furnish the commission at the earliest
date possible the information called
for and to verify such information
whose direction and supervision the re
turns are made"
The commission explains some of the
various groups of questions that are
asked carriers as follows:
Questions regarding revenues and
| the conservation thereof are designed
| to secure data concerning the possi
bility of increasing revenues other
wise than through a general increase
Of freight rates. The questions relate
| In part 70 the terminal allowances
made by railroads, particularly to the
u q fn1t1ctYiaG and n tho frnA
Ice, the legality or propriety of which
has been from time to time question
ed. These services and allowances in
clude allowances to terminal railways
owned by industries, free switching
| lighterage. loading and unloading
freight, free warehousing. reconsign
ment, especially favorable rates and
| special train service, billing In transit
| privileges.
Questions relative to economy are
| designed to secure data concerning the
possibility of increasing the net reve-
nues throug, economies in operations
These include possible savings In the
purchase of materials and supplies
| through Standardization and otherwise:
also possible savings In the use Of
materials and supplies and particular
| ly In the consumption of coal.
There are also questions designed
| to secure further information as to the
causes of increased operating costs and
| means of avoiding them. Certain Of
the questions are designed to secure
| data with view Of determining to
what extent and under what circum
stances the increase In the size and
weight of equipment results In econ
| omy and greater net operating income.