Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-12-24
ALWAYS GIVEN
RATE INCREASE
Five Per Cent Advance Allowed
on Some Articles.
MEANS ABOUT $4,000, 600
Consequences of the War Held by
Commerce Commission to Give
Ground FOR Raising Income se-
tween East and West.

hington.-Dec. 21-Increases in
freight rates approximating per
cent on 123 railroads, comprising all
the lines between the Atlantic sea,
board and the Mississippi, north of the
Potomac and Ohio rivers, were grant
ed by the interstate commerce commits.
sion in a divided opinion, exempting
on certain heavy commodities, which
comprise a large bulk of the traffic.
The increases will further apply to
the railroads west of Buffalo and Pitts
burgh, which were granted partial ad,
vances in the decision of last August,
which denied them altogether to the
roads east of those points.
It is estimated the advanced rates
will increase the annual income of the
roads about $30,000,000.
The commission made its decision
upon the showing of the railroads that
in addition to conditions from which
they previously asked relief they now
are confronted with an emergency be-
cause of the war in Europe
After further consideration the com
mission permits advances to be made
also on cement, starch, brick, tile,
clay and plaster. On these commodi.
ties no advances were permitted by
the decision of August /.
The commission was divided on the
question Of granting the railroads ap-
peal. Commissioners Clements and
Harlan dissented from the opinion of
the majority. The decision, in part,
was as follows:
In view of the tendency toward a
diminishing net operating income, as
shown by the facts described, we are
Of the opinion that the net operating
income of the railroads in official
classification territory, taken as a
whole, is smaller than is demanded in
the interests Of the general public and
the railroads, and 1t is our duty and
our purpose to aid so far as we legally
may, in the solution of the problem as
to the course that the carriers may
pursue to meet the situation"
The commission did not acquiesce
in the carriers proposal of a general
increase, as indicated in the tariff
filed by them, but suggested various
methods by which they might properly
conserve their revenues.
For various reasons we shall except
from the proposed increase the fol-
lowing rates:
Il. Rail-lake-and-rail alexandria, and
rail-and-lake rates. 1t is shown on the
record that since the rail carriers &C
qUired ownership and control of the
lake lines successive increases have
been made in the rates via lake tend
ing to lessen the differences between
them and the all-raiI rates.
2. Rates on bituminous coal and
coke. Not long since these rates were
investigated and maximum rates were
prescribed by the commission. The
key rates upon bituminous coal-the
rate from the Pittsburgh district to
Youngstown, and the rate on lake car
go coal to Ashtabula, have been fixed
in the light of the various factors
which entered into the transportation
of such coal. The prevailing rates
are remunerative, and the financial
condition Of the principal bituminous
coal carriers is in marked contrast
with that of many other carriers in
official classification territory
IS. Rates on anthracite coal and
iron ore, largely because they are be-
fore US in review in other proceedings.
"a Rates held by unexpired orders
of the commission"