The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-20
parties to the capitalization of spccu.

parties to the capitalization OF spccu-
iaton.'
y new element that has not hereto
fore figured In the commissions in
vcstigations will be brought to light
when the railroads are criticized for
extravaganza and waste In the pur-
chase of supplies. The commissioners
have found many Of the lines guilty
more or less attention in the review
of the case.
Also. tho carriers will be cnjoincd
TO provide greater efficiency in the
management and operation OF their
properties. This idea is not new, how =
ever. u WAS urged consplcuously by
Louis Brandcis In the first rate in
crease Investigation. and Is the cub
JCCt of some sharp comment in tho
present inquiry.
The railroads are severely rebuked
for their organized effort to influence
the commission in favor OF an in
crease OF rates through public opinion.
Tho commissioners make it plain that
they have decided this case upon
sworn testimony. and not upon the
fact that IN artificial public scnti-
mcut had been aroused by what they
regard ms an uniustiiablc campaign of
publicity.
And lastly. the commission an
Touuccs that tic increases granted
are not Sufficiently large to warrant
any shipper Of distributor of mer-
chandisc in charging higher prices for
his goods TO che. consumer. The com
mission anticipates AN imitation of
prices in some quarters on IN" ground
that higher freight rates are now
charged. and II warning is given to
TN" consumer 10 he on his qua I'd
against this.
Naturally the decision as herein
outlined Will hc subject to different
opinion I'm different quarters. in so
Far a. II affects tho vital interests OF
tia" railroads
PRESIDENT UiD HOPED
ron INCREASE ~ RATES
Tho administration is said TO lie not
only SURPRISED. bat very much disap-
rointcd ga tho Interstate Commerce
Commissions decision in the railroad
rate cas-" u is known that the Pros
tdcui had hoped. and had positively
expected that the commission would
award an increase in rates agreeing
substantially throughout with tho re
uic.,s "T the roads. Rut tho denial OF
'ho Cat increase Of = per cent as asked
hv tn" r"ads ',aS given not only pain
+" ~" ron,ls thcmcclvcs but TO tho
administration "a we'll. and the further
STIMULATION that along with the al.
lower increases Of tia. 900 in rates
per v"'I the commission demands rail
road ""Un onics amounting TO $4,000,
ono las set achast the friends Of the
original oropoSitior.
Th" president had taken no direct
a"tiuu. hUt h" had Let it become known
that ne would welcome an increase al
along the line. The commissions re.
tueHl Ia sanction an increase i'm rate:
that would have amounted to 500. 600
400 Year WAS entirely unexpected
The President had said that he he
lj"N"d b" dccisiou in favor Of the rail
roads would result in tremendou.
impulse to business generally. and 1
is known that for that reason he fay
orcd openly such a verdict as woul,
champion tho railroad side Of the uues
jou from start to finish. The attitud,
OF Congress sine. the decision has be
come known, is divided attitude
There arc some members of both houses
who coincide With the Presidents ide;
That the railroads should win "A com
pictc victory for the sake Of it's enec
upon the psychological prosperity o
the country. Others declare that tn,
railroads have received their cntir,
dues I'm the commissions decision l
will hH hard to arouse any particula,
amount Of uproar I'm either house as :
result of tho compromise decision tha
has boon handed down.