The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-02-06
more DATA TO
AID Rate RULING
Railroads Seeking Increased
Pay Must Give Details
PROVISIONS FOR ECONOMY.

New information Sought Includes Rev.
snues Derived From Transportation
Of Different Commodities and Inter.
locking Boards and contracts-ssv-
snty.nino Questions Submitted.
Observation-Disclosures Of the Unit
ed States seeking authority to increase
their freight rates ON an average Of ;
per cent are requested in an order is-
sued by the interstate commerce CON-
mission to submit detailed information
concerning their financial operations.
An inquiry into the rate case was
begun several weeks ago, and the rail
roads told their side. The shippers
who are fighting the proposed increase
are yet to be heard. The commission
has gone over the evidence submitted
by the railroads and has asked for sup.
Elemental data.
The commissions order issued does
not foreshadow delay in the promulga-
ton Of Il decision in the application
for authority to increase railroad
freight rates. 1t indicates that the
commission does not intend to decide
the cas- merely OH the ex parte state
ments Of railroad managers.
The new information sought by the
commission covers these questions:
Revenues derived from the transpor-
tation Of different commodities and the
practice Of the railroads in granting
to shippers special service or allow
ance in connection with transportation
service.
!. Economy in methods Of purchasing
equipment. materials and supplies,
their uses and practices in connection
with various transportation operations.
Financial history and transactions of
carriers.
Conflicting interests, particularly the
financial interests Of directors, officers
and employees in the business transac-
tons to which the carriers are also
parties.
Contracts made between the carriers
and sleeping car and parlor car compa-
MES and the results of such contracts.
Also: general information not en-
braceda. In. circulars. heretofore issued
by the commission.
Seventy-nine questions bearing on
rates are submitted to the railroads.
The answers must be made before
Jan. 81.
Elaborate and helpful contributions
from the carriers accounts have been
submitted by the railroads with a view
to diminishing net returns from op-
erations and lessened net income," said
the commission in an announcement
explaining its inquiry. '"These state
ments do not furnish fully the data
deemed by the commission to be neces-
sary to determine the general course
to he pursued. The carriers are there
fore further ordered and directed to
furnish the commission at the earliest
date possible the information called
for and to verify such information
under the oath of the officer under
whose direction and supervision the re-
turns are made"
The commission explains some. Of the
various groups Of questions that are
asked carriers as follows:
Questions regarding revenues and
the conservation thereof r designed
to secure. datazroncerning. the posi-
.bii1ty sofs@ increasing revenues other
sMlse than, through a. general increase
Of freight rates. The questions relate
In part to the terminal allowances
made by railroads. particularly to the
larger industries. and to the free serv-
ice. the legality or propriety of which
has been from time to time question
ed. These services mud allowances in
Guide allowances to terminal railways
owned by industries. free switching.
lighterage. loading and unloading
freight. free warehousing. reconsign-
ment. especially favorable rates and
special train service. billing in transit
privileges.
"Questions relative to economy are
designed to secure data concerning the
possibility Of Increasing the net reve-
nues through economies in operations.
These include possible savings in the
purchase Of materials and supplies
through standardization and otherwise:
also possible savings In the use Of
materials and supplies and particular
~ in the consumption of coal.
,''There are also questions designed
to secure further information as to the
causes Of increased operating costs and
means Of avoiding them. Certain Of
the questions { designed to secure
data with q view Of determining to
what extent and under what circum-
stances the increase in the size and
weight of equipment results in econ
on1y and greater net operating income"
-1saa,iasa,e, 49, PPe - nno