Bisbee daily review., 1914-02-24
ARIZONA FREIGHT RATES.

The Corporation Commissioners of this State have oeiyed word of decisions in ther favor regarding the lowering of freight rates flour and oil Announce ment of the decisions is contained in another column of todays Review. The action does not mean. however that the Interstate Commerce Commission has receded iota from its repeatedly expressed belief in the sity the prosperity railroad companies. The concessions made in Arizona comparatively few be- the Commission found the need of higher freight rates generally does not exist.
 As the situation exists generally throughout the try the need of earnings for the railroads is confessedly apparent but that is different proposition need of higher freight The three ways of increasing earnings are larger volume of business higher income per of transportation and a reduc ton expenses The volume of business beyond the control of the Interstate Commerce Commission except is influenced indirectly by its decision, that the Commission must deal with the problem of either in- creasng traffic rates or reducing expenses.
 The critics of the Commission proceed the theory that the railways have been efficiently and economically managed and scor the possibility of the Commission its counsel being able point out where improve could be made Yet what is this assumption based? Merely the fact that the railroads grown be immense organizations and great money makers but their growth far greater extent than is general ly supposed, has due to wonderful growth in population and industrial interests.
 Whether not the railway management have made the best of their opportunities is unanswered and answerabe question: but certainly it wise to inquire into the matter before increasing freight rates at least that is the attitude of the Interstate Commerce Commis sion and would be the attitude of any body of nte- gent and patriotic If the railways efficient ly managed that improvement could be suggested then investment confidence will be vastly increased and if they have been then the Interstate Commerce Com mission will do the country great service to demon that fact that it be corrected It is possible that seeing railway welcome the effort being made by the Interstate Commerce Commission deter mine the extent to which relief secured through greater efficiency and of operation be fore granting permission increase freight rates
 The Commission has relieved the railways of the pense incidental the operation of short railways by dustrial plants thus companies ar estimated $15OooOOO per annum. Other forms of priv
 ege to large shippers are being investigated and prob ably considerable relief will be secured through the abolishment Thus the Interstate Commerce Commis sion is doing for the railway companies something the, could do themselves without becoming involved 1T wrangle with the larger shippers along their lines Judge Prouy said recently that valuation of the rail ways is necessary to aay public sentiment which ha to believe the companies oyer-captalized There is little doubt but that public sentiment becaus of disclosures, has to believe the railway extravaganty managed and in making inyestgato arrive the truth the Interstate Commerce comms sion is doing the companies great service
 The moment investors got the right angle the al titude of Commerce Commission that ment investment confidence will become confident fol notwithstanding Wall Street criticism the purposes efforts of Commission constructive and designe to restore complete confidence in and stability ties of railway companies when properly issued for purposes.