Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-09-07
coMMlssioNERR rHoRNE WARNS
PUBLIC TO BE PREPARED
FOR RATE RAISE.
DECISION IN SOUTHWEST
PREsAeEs ACTION
Raise 70 2Ia Cents Per Mile on Inter-
state Business Probably Will BE Foi-
lowed by Campaign 70 Secure High
Or Ratss on Interstate Traffic-Wouid
Be Direct Tax on Consumer.
Special to Times-Republican.

Special to Times-Republican.
Washington. Iowa, Sept, 7.-Chair-
nan Clifford Thorne. Of the Iowa COM
mission. in an interview here, said in
.egard to recent movements of the
railroads affecting rate matters in the
west:
"At q conference with me here yes
terday, was informed by the general
solicitor Of one Of the leading vest
ern railroads that the western railway
companies have abandoned the plan
of asking for q general advance in
freight rates, as was contemplated by
the action Of the traffic officials OF the
Western Trunk Lines held last May, at
which Mr.. johnson presided. The ex-
ecutive officials Of these companies
disapproved that action.
Instead of q general advance in
freight rates, they now propose to ask
for a general advance in: passenger
rates Of " cent mile. making 2k
cents per mile on interstate traffic
from this and other western states.
Later they propose to seek similar
advance on state traffic. before state
commissions and state legislatures.
"The abandonment OF the general
advance in freight rates. similar to
what the eastern railroads fought for.
believe is wise. There would have
been something like seventy millions
of dollars annually involved in the
case. Judging by the commissions de-
Cision in the eastern case, 1 believe IT
would have been denied.
Raise May Be Expected.
THE recent decision of the commits
sion refusing to find the 3-cent fare
unreasonable between Missouri. Arkan-
sas and Oklahoma points. may be a
forecast of its findings in the west gen.
orally. 1 have reached no conclusion
as to whether this is just or not just.
sincerely hope the public generally.
especially the newspapers Of the west.
will maintain IN attitude Of neutrality,
and leave Il 70 the commission; to de-
eide the case entirely on it's merits.
However. If the press does undertake
TO exploit one side or the other, l most
sincerely hope that it will give equal
consideration to both sides. Only in
that way. will fair public hearing be
secured. We do not want the farcical.
one sided, prejudiced presentation that
was given by the eastern papers in the
other case / do not believe the public
in the west will stand for it.
Would Be Direct Tax.
There is some question of public
policy involved. An advance in charges
On special services Is absorbed, moro or
Tess. by shippers. A 26 per cent adj
vance in passenger fares will be paid
nv the consumer. It is direct tax.
on a 81 trip, an extra dollar is ap-
parent and real. The state may decide
that some portion Of the transportation
service should yield a greater share OF
the profits than another portion.
"The commission has held each class
OF traffic must bear its fair proportion
of the costs.
.W1rile the general advance In Amer
lean freight rates is now probably
abandoned, 1t must not be expected
that there will be no advances and re-
auctions. There are innumerable in
eaualities and injustices all over the
country that must be wiped out. Many
reductions and many advances will be
granted locally in different parts Of
the country, constantly every month,
lust as has been going on for number
NJ years"