Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-12-18
COMMISSION GRANTS
FRE|GH INCREASE
LContinued From First Pagel

lCOntinueu from First Page
| transportation are fundamental and
| indispensable agencies in our industrial
life and for the common veal should
be Kept abreast of public requirements.
The original report, besides ap-
| proving a. rate increase in central
freight association territory, suggested
ten sources of additional revenue for
all carriers throughout official classi-
fication territory; the present report,
| recognizing the existence of a new
situation since July 20, acquiesces in
a territorial extension of the relief
granted to the Central Freight Asso-
ciation lines by permitting the carriers
to file tariffs providing with certain
exceptions specified, for horizontal rate
increases in official classification terri
tory. 1t is expected that the con-
structive work suggested in the origi-
nal report for the purpose of consery-
ing and augmenting the necessities of
the carriers generally will be carried
! forward without interruption.
Carriers will be required to keep an
account of the additions to their reve-
nues from increases in rates subse-
quent TO July 29, 1914, and from new
charges and to report separately
thereon to the commission at the end
! OF twelve and twenty-four months, re-
specttely"
After stating the exceptions, hereto
| fore given, the decision proceeds:
In our original report we declined,
for reasons these stated, to allow in
creased rates in Central Freight Asso-
citation territory or cement starch,
brick, tile, clay. and plaster. On fur
ther consideration in the light of the
existing situation, these rates may be
increased throughout official classifi-
ication territory under the limitations
herein set forth.
| Joint rates between official classi-
fication territory on the one hand and
| southeastern territory, the southwest
and point on or east of the Missouri
river on the other, may be increased
not to exceed five per cent. of the
| division of the rate accruing to the
carriers in official classification terri
tory Where these increases involve a
change In the relationship under the
long and short haul rule between in
termediate points and more distant
points outside of official classification
territory. relief from the fourth sec
ton of the act must first be secured
on regular application.
Interstate rates to and from New
England from and to points in trunk
line or Central Freight Association ter
ritory, where necessary to preserve
established relationships between
points or ports in New England and
points or parts in trunk line territory,
may be increased not to exceed five
Iper cent.
Subject to the maintenance of the
established Atlantic port differentials,
rates to and from New York may be
increased not to exceed five per cent,
and rates to and from Portland, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia and Baltimore may
he increased to the extent necessary to
maintain said differentials.
Five Per Cent. Increase
! Except as otherwise above speci-
hed rates in official classification ter
lritory may be increased by not more
than five per cent; but rates increased
since July 20, 1914. may not now be
again increased so as to exceed those
then in effect by an aggregate of more
than five per cent. of the intra terri
torial rate. or of the portion or divi-
sion of the inter territorial rate ac-
lcruing to the road or roads in official
classification territory as the case may
be.
IF fractions in excess of one-half
a mill are rounded upward, fractions
less than one-half of a mill are to be
discarded.
In some instances and in part be-
cause of the pendency of this proceed
ing, we have recently suspended pro-
posed increased rates in this territory.
Carriers may, If they so elect, now can
eel such tariffs so suspended and file
Ito the limitations above specified. If
that Is done such suspensions will be
vacated.
ITO the extent above indicated we
lnow modify our previous findings, and
carriers affected may file effective on
mot less than ten days notice, such
tariffs as do not offend against the re-
strictions above stated"
Exceptions Stated
The exceptions from the proposed
increase of rates are stated in the de-
cision as follows:
''1-Rail- -lake-and rail, lake and
rail, and rail-and-lake rates. 1t is
shown on the records that since the
rail carriers acquired ownership and
control of the lake lines successive in
creases have been made in the rates
via lake tending to lessen the differ
ences between them and the all-rail
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 70
Youngstown, and the rate on lake
cargo coal to Ashtabula-have been
fixed in the light of the various fac
tors which enter into the transporta-
tion 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 of the other car
riers in official classification territory
Twice in the not distant past the rates
on bituminous coal have been increas-
ed five cents ton, and would seem
now to be as high as may fairly be
allowed. 1T must be remembered also
. that the carriers are not seeking gen
eral increases in rate on anthracite
coal, and both kinds of coal are used
in competitive markets. AS to coke
the rates controlling the greater volume
of traffic now moving in official classi-
fication territory have recently been
. set by the commission upon a basis
which was specifically designed to
guard against shrinking the carriers
!. revenue there from, and which really
resulted in substantial additions IA
their earnings on that tariff.
"3-Rates on anthracite coal and
iron ore, largely because they are he
fore us for review in other proceedings
"4--Rates held by unexpired or
ders of the commission.
Figures Governing Decision
These figures serve to emphasize
our previous finding of the need OF
carriers in official classification terri
tory, taken as a while, for increased
revenue:
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