New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-02-20
DECISION ON RATE
INCREASE SOON
Action by Interstate Commerce
Commission Promised Be
fore July at Latest.

Washington. Feb l9-ln announcing to-
day that a decision by the Interstate
Commerce Commission on the proposed
freight rate increases was expected with
in three months. and certainly before the
commission adjourned Tor i's summer re-
cess on July I. Commissioner Harlan eN-
blamed that the commissioners had be-
fore them two inquiries: Are the pres
ent revenues of the carriers adequate:
and If not. how may they be supple
mented ."
With respect to the first Of these is
sues" he said the carriers have al
ready offered much testimony, but their
witnesses have not been cross-eXamined'
nor have the Investigations by the com
mission on that question been complete.
We are also advised that certain shipping
interests will submit important testimony
touching the adequacy Of the revenues
Of carriers.
That part Of the case that pertains to
the proposed Increases in lake and rail
rates will he heard at Washington on
March =. 70 and "A. Separate hearings
will be assigned later TO consider light
erage and other special services at New
York City and in New York harbor. and
considering reconsignments and diver
.iors in transit and free storage.
EXPRESSING his views Yesterday concern
ing the further postponement by the IN
/ teretate Commerce Commission TO Sep
TENDER Y OF proposed rate advances in
official classification territory. Daniel VIII
I - Poll inn A.
and chairman OF the committee Of rail-
/ way presidents who prepared the petition
/ for higher rates. agreed with the state
n ents made I'm Washington by commits
sioner Harlan that the suspension Of the
tariffs does not necessarily mean that no
decision will be reached before fail
The history and progress of the case
50 far seem by inference TO justify The
belief that the commission recognizes that
/ the carriers have established a prima
facie case. showing the need of additional
revenue" he said. THE carriers proposed
as a partial remedy for the situation a
small and substantially uniform advance
/ Of all freight rates although ii was not
assumed that such method was the only
vay in which the situation might be met.
/ The carriers felt. however. after Civ
I Ing the matter full consideration that the
/ Plan they proposed was the most pract'-
cable one TO be considered at that time
and would. upon the whole. be least oh
| iectionable TO those who pay the freight
/ II would appear from what has already
developed at the numerous hearings held
: in this connection that the Interstate
Commerce Commission feels that if exist
ing revenues are inadequate the relief
necessary should be gained IN some way
or ways other than The plan suggested
/ by the carriers. and the numerous ques-
/ tons which the commission has asked
q have been FOR the purpose OF developing
/ that phase of the situation.
Mr. Willard did not fully agree with
the views Of the commission that $1,000 =
900 annually could be saved the railroads
] by the dscontinuance OF allowances 10
industrial lines. but said that the car
ners were willing TO cooperate in any
plan intended 10 increase their net reve-
Iues.
Expressing a personal disappointment
over the delay in the settlement of the
case OF the Eastern railroads. Mr.. Willard
declared he was not discouraged over the
situation and was in full accord with the
In terstate Commerce Commission In its
desire 10 investigate the whole situation.
THE railroads feel 10 special pride in
authorship" no concluded, and If a bet
ter plan for sufficiently Increasing their
net earnings can be found than the one
they proposed, they will very willingly
J accept it."