El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-12-18
RATE
RAISES GRANTED
Confined From Page one.l

Continued From Page one.)
that fiscal year, were not available
The war was unforeseen and the re-
suits Of our order were of course, yet to
come. Collectively they present new
situation"
Why Harlan DIssents.
Commissioner Harlan, while agree
ing that the roads have established
their need of additional net revenue
in even greater amount than S3OOOO,-
600, which the carriers indicated would
result from the five percent increase,
declares his entire dissent from the
course now approved by the commits
sion for permitting the carriers TO aug
ment their revenues"
The original record contained no
evidence tending to prove that any or
the proposed increased rates a1tecting
trunk line or New England territories
were Just and reasonable, he said,
land this deficiency in proof was not
supplied on the further hearing. The
record showed the financial condition
of the trunk line carriers generally
to be much more favorable
Other Ways of Augmenttng revenues.
I'VE pointed out, however, in our
original report that sources from
which the needed additional net income
could and should be obtained-ramely,
by revision of rates and an ABANDON
ment of practices found to be unre-
munerative. The New England car
riers sought approval in this case Of
an increase only in the rates on trar-
fic moving between that territory and
other parts of official classification
territory. they did not propose a gen
eral five percent increase in their
freight rates. In other words, the New
England lines have voluntarily pur-
sued the only rational and reasonable
course to augment their revenues, this
being the course urged upon the Cen
trail Freight association lines in our
original report.
by following the suggestions made
in the original report, the carriers
could undoubtedly secure more add
tional net income than the amount es-
timated to accrue under the proposed
rate increase and far more than can
accrue to them under the relief now
accorded in the supplemental report.
Predicts Disaster.
ct cannot but think that a general
increase in the standard rates OF this
country. while the rate structures Of
these carriers remain full OF nconsist-
eucies discrimination and wrongful
practices that deplete their revenues,
is morally wrong; that the placing Of
additional burdens on interstate com
merce that is not also placed upon
state commerce, is also wrong; and
that the course approved in the sup
Elemental report will ultimately be as
disastrous to the carriers themselves
as it will be harmful to the general
interests"
Clements Says Commission Mistaken.
Commissioner Clements urged that
the function of the commission was to
establish rates that are Just and rea-
sonable," without substantial regard
for exterior conditions which might. be
either temporary or permanent
IF the legislative authority of the
commission is as broad and unrestrict-
ed as this. then I must confess that I
have gravely misunderstood the limi-
tations upon our statutory authority,
as well as the constitutional power Of
congress to delegate its legislative
power"
Railroad Shares Rise.
New York. Dec. 18.-The decision Of
the interstate commerce commission
came Unexpectedly to Wall street
which had not expected definite word
until next week. It came at a time
when the stock market was actually
weak, and helped materially to bring
about q general recovery.
Prices rose from 1 IL to 3 points
above the low level of the session.
Reading, one of the roads most vitality
concerned, gained 23-4 points and
Baltimore and Ohio IA. Other eastern
roads scored lesser gains. The rally
was not fully maintained, prices yield
ing from fractions to a full point after
the short interest had recovered.