The Washington times., 1914-12-12
COMPUTATION RATES.

The Pennsylvania pubic service
commission has been investigating
the proposal of the railroads for in
crease of communication rates and re-
duction of facilities. Philadelphia
commuters instituted the case, and
the grounds they allege are precise
" similar to those urged by the
commuters in the Washington dis
trict.
1t has been insisted on behalf of
the suburban population of Wash
ington, which faces an increase of
from 10 to near 100 per cent In its
rates, that such an increase prac-
tically amounts to destroying values
in outlying property. For many
years the old rates have been volun-
tarily established and voluntarily
maintained by the railroads. On the
presumption that they would con-
tinue, people have bought and i'm
proved property. Now it Is proposed
to raise their rates to an extent that
must impose great hardship. That
is equivalent to a confscation of
part of the values of their property.
Is there any express or implied
contract between these suburban
patrons, and the railroads, for the
maintenance of the old rates? The
Philadelphia commuters think there
is; and they have produced some
pointed testimony; the point being
quite as apparent to Washington as
to Philadelphia people. In its news
reports of yesterdays hearing be-
fore the Pennsylvania commission,
the Philadelphia Ledger says:
Probably the most effective evidence
| for the commuters was that showing
how the railroads had offered cheap
Communication rates as Inducements for
the urban residents to move out into
the suburbs For this purpose booklet
entitIe Thirty Miles Around Philadel-
phia," prepared by the Pennsylvania
for the commuters. This book drew
attention to the special suburban fares
und purported to show the railroads
had virtually promised no increase in
fares. To clInch this phase Of the sit
uation the commuters introduced wit
resses who told how the people had
spent millions Of dollars in suburban
DEVELOPMENT and consequently made
passenger traffic for the railroads.
| These witnesses avoHed the new rates
would cause heavy financial Losses to
thousands Of persons who had settled in
thu s1,h,Irha or were concentrating set
ting there.
In this connection the Pennsylvania
railroad admitted that the commute
ton business had always proved most
profitable. r. J. DeLong. assistant gen
eral passenger agent. declared that the
Pennsylvania had had TO annul two New
| York expresses. both big revenue pro-
| ducers, in fares. as a result OF the
heavy communication traffic. which
| taxed the Limitations of Broad Street
Station at busy hours Of the day. And,
| in addition. Mr.. DeLOng ayerred the
| IG9-trip Communication ticket was the
| best gross revenue producer.
| In a general summing up by attor-
neys for both sides. just before conclu-
| sion OF the hearing last evening, there
was pictured on one side the railroads
striving TO meet increased operating eX-
penses with depleted revenues. not per-
| r.itted TO Increase freight-carrying
| charges, and forced TO throw the bur
| den on the passenger patrons; on the
| other side the passengers asked to hear
| the deficiencies Of the freight depart
| ment. deprived Of privileges which they
| have long enjoyed and forced to buy
something which they could rot use ~
Philadelphia commuters. it will be
seen, are presenting exactly the line
of argument that The Times has
suggested should most effectively
serve the commuters of the Wash
ington district. The matter is one
of very great Importance to this
town, for within the next few years
there is certain to be an increasing
development of suburban population
The town cannot grow any larger
geographically. It's street railway
system will become an interstate
system to the extent that lines are
pushed outside.
The railroads asked increases il
/, suburban rates only as an after
thought. Their first effort was t
get increased freight rates. DENIED
those, they turned to the passenger
revenues, and at this point thew have
, undertaken to make the commuterI
bear an advance which is utterly dis
proportionate to that imposed oil
other passengers. 1t is fair to presume
, that if the per cent a>tvance il
Z freight rates had been granted, Their
? would have been no demand for in
q creased Communication rates. The In
{ terstate Commission is reconsiderini
s its denial of the freight advance
r Suppose that the hoist in commute
ton rates shall now be permitted
? and that a little later freight rate
e shall be given the per cent lift
4 That will surely be rubbing it in o,
e the commuters.
I Under this statement of the case
a proper presentation will surely in
duce the Interstate Commission t
. suspend the advance in commute