The Washington herald., 1914-04-14
CARRIERS DENIED
EARLY DECISION
&c. c. VIII Not Extend Scope
of Rate Arguments Set
for April u.
CONFINED TO INQUIRY
Collateral Questions Instituted by
Commission, Statement Asserts.
Will Be Taken Up Later.

An announcement made by the Inter
state Commerce Commission yesterday
afternoon does not offer much eheour
aeement to the Eastern carriers Pc
titioning for an increase in freighI rates rates
to hope for an early decision. The COM
mission reiterates the statement of Chair
man Harlan made on April 3. that argu-
ment would be heard April q on certain
features of the case, and that collaterai
questions instituted by the commission
itself would be taken up later.
The announcement will come somewhat
in the nature of a damper to the car
riers, as it was believed that as a re-
suit Of the argument on April q some
relief would be granted. The commits
sion's announcement at the present time
is understood to be caused by pressure
from various sources that have been
brought TO bear. and is intended to show
that the commission does not intend 10
be hurried.
Announcement of Commission.
While the commission expedited the
argument in the case, ii was with the
explanation that it would later take up
such questions as lighterage, free switch
ing, spotting, storage, etc. to ascer-
tain IL the carriers by changing their
practices and charging for these services
might not make up the needed additional
the commission.
Pursuant to the announcement here
tofore made, the Interstate Commerce
Commission will hear arguments in these
cases Cthat instituted by the commission
and that filed by the carriers when they
filed tariffs asking for an increase OF o
per cent in rates. on April q. 1914. by
which time also all briefs touching the
issues involved must be filed. The arGu-
ment will embrace all the questions pre-
scented on the record. That part OF the
record that deals with the financial con-
dition and requirements of the carriers
and with the rate schedules under sus-
pension in the proceeding. is now closed
except as to such exhibits as have been
requested of record and except as to the
replies from the carriers to the questions
touching their financial condition and re-
quirements submitted by the commission
in its circular letter of December 90 1913
Hearings to Be Complete.
1T will be understood however. that
the record will not be closed as to the
related matters involved in the inquiry
instituted by the commission until the re-
plies of the carriers on these questions,
submitted by the commission in its cir
cular letters of December 20. 1913, and
February 26, 1914, have been filed, the
investigations by the commission in con-
nection herewith, now approaching COM
pIetion. have been placed on record, and
until the hearings. now in contemplation
upon these last mentioned matters have
been had
The circular of December 20 comprises
a list of seventy-eight questions with
submissions as to cost Of material, etc.
The circular Of February e6. 1914, col
Iecting and delivering freight, storing
freight. Transporting containers, furnish
ing or paying for wharfage or dockage'
refrigeration service. etc
In brief. the commission now announces
unequivocaIly that the argument on April
"a will be confined to the inquiry pro-
pounded by il:
DO the present rates Of transportation
yield TO common carriers by railroads
operating in official classification terri
tory adequate revenues
How situation Is to Be Met.
the commission will take up the second
query propOunded by it:
IF not what general course may car
riers pursue to meet the situation"
In other words, are they to meet it
by charging for services which they now
perform free, changes in methods. prac-
tices. etc, or by a decision of the COM
mission permitting a fiat increase in
freight rates?
The commission has intimated that the
carriers should be paid for lighterage
spotting. switching, etc. and has started
also a proceeding suggesting the advis-
ability of eliminating the lower freight
rate on import traffic and charging for
this traffic the same rates that are
charged domestic traffic.