Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1914-10-24
Clifford Tbofne Insists All In
tereSts Of Country Are
Equally Depressed Along
With Transportation,
FARMERS SHOULD BE
RELIEVED FROM LOSSES
President Rea, of the PennsyI-
yania, Is Last Witness on
Application for Advance in
Freight Rates,

nnRNiNG JOURNAL sftCitt tfAGEp Mioal
Washington. oct. 23.-"If II Is right
for the government to shield the rail-
reads from the effects OF the war: If
II is right for the government to
make good the losses of people in diff
ferent industries. | am going to pro-
pose measure that will require every
hen in Iowa to lay every day, If
she fails to do SO, that the government
shall make up to the owner of the
owner of that hen the value OF the
eggs she did not lay"
This statement was made by elf
ford Thorne counsel for several west
ern state railroad commissions and
shippers associations in presenting
the shippers side of the case at the
hearing before the Interstate Com
mcrce commission on the application
OF eastern railroads for general in
crease in freight rates.
Hearing Is Ended.
The hearings came to an end today
and arguments will be heard next
week, with every indication of an
early decision by the commission.
The presentation of the case Of the
opposing shippers took less than two
hours as against five days occupied
by witnesses for the carriers Mr.
Thorne took the position that no bus
iness depression had been shown by
the carriers that did not equally af-
feet shippers and that the increase
would he unjust. Counsel for all
other shippers represented joined in
the statement
Arguments will begin next Thurs
day morning and probably will be
concluded Friday.
President Rea's Statement.
The carriers closed their case with
the testimony of Samuel Rhea. pres
ident of the Pennsylvania railroad
system. .His statement followed close
ly the lines Of previous evidence Of
fefed and his cross examination was
brief.
Louis Brandeis, special counsel for
the commission, drew Mr.. Rhea's at
tention to the decision of the commits
sion in the original five per cent case
which pointed out its inability to see
The Justice of raising rates on freight
shipments to conduct the passenger
traffic shown to be operated at de-
ficit.
Has anything occurred since that
ruling which. In your opinion, iustifies
its modification now?" Mr.. Brandeis
asked.
Nothing that know Off" admitted
Mr. Rea
No Increased Expenses.
Has there been an increase in
your labor charges in this period?"
Not that recall"
Have the prices of railway supplies
advanced to your knowledge %
NO"
MT Thorne asked if it were not
true that the net revenue of the car
fiers in 1913 had not equalled 7,6l
per cent on all outstanding stock. Mr..
Rea admitted the figures were cor
rect Mr. Lyon, representing coal
shippers Of PENNSYLVANIA. asked if the
pennsylvania system has contemplat-
ed any reduction of salaries to Off
GERS and employees to meet the emer-
sency. Mr. Rca said he did not be-
ileve he should discuss that question
ana The question was not pressed.
Counsel then announced that the
carriers case was closed and Mr..
Ihorne took the stand to make his
statement
=.
In part it was as follows:
Mr., Th0rnes Statement.
Ihe carriers are proposing five /
per cent advance in the freight rates !
not only in official classification ter
ritory but in the rates between all I
points in this eastern territory and I
nose states west of the Mississippi ,
river which I represent. We will pay .
Ihe advances on the raw products
to the east and on the manu-