Evening star., 1914-08-02

TO SOME ROADS
Continued from First Page)
sentative roads In Central Fls.ght As
sociation territory. which are most in
need, would have earned S29,0oOOO0 more.
Will Get Larger Revenue.
The three great trunk lines have each
large mileage in Central Freight Asso-
c1ation territory. SO that their revenues
VIII De augmented by rate increases in
that territory. Thus, OF the New York
o.S5o, or more than two-thirds are in
Central Freight Association territory
yearly one-half Of the mileage of the
pennsylvania system is also in that terri
timore and Ohio. The Erie, the Chesa-
peake and Ohio. and the Norfolk and
western also have important mileage in
central Freight Association territory.
The systems in trunk line territory which
have no mileage in Central Freight Asso-
ciation territory are in large part roads
with large anthracite coal traffic, and
they are very prosperous.
THE commission finds that the class
rates effective in Central Freight Asso-
citation territory are 80 low that an in
crease Of per cent would clearly not be
unreasonable, but points out that the
class-rate structure in that territory is
honeycombed with inconsistencies, and
says:
Reasons for Demand.
The attitude Of the officials of the
roads operating in Central Freight Asso-
ciation territory, as disclosed on the rec
ord. indicated that they Joined in this
proceeding not because they thought the
so-called per cent increase Of rates
would meet their requirements, or that
this form OF relief is appropriate in
Central Freight Association territory,
but only because of the desire of other
and more powerful lines operating In
trunk line territory to present to us In
this proceeding one general plan Of re-
lief.'
1.-The commission then adds:
There can be no doubt upon the rec
ord that the carriers in Central Freight
Association territory ought, in the pub
lie interest, to have as much additional
revenue as would be produced by a 5
per cent increase, as modified herein,
and possibly more. 1t Is not improbable.
however, in view of the notifications
we have required In those tariffs, that
they will find 1t more desirable at once
to undertake the readjustment which
they assert Is necessary
Some Exceptions Made.
The commission finds that the car
riers operating in Central Freight Asso-
citation territory are entitled to an In
crease not exceeding per cent on all
class and commodity rates on shipments
wholly within that territory. except the
rates on coal. coke, iron ore. cement,
brick, tile, clay, starch and plaster. as
to which the carriers did not sustain
their burden Of proof. and any rates
which are controlled by specific unexpir-
ed orders of the commission.
THE proposed increass in lake-and-rail
rates between Central Freight Association
territory and other portions of official
classification territory are disallowed.
The effect of the findings is also to dis
minimum increase Of cents a ton on
those commodities for which a charge Is
now made of less than a dollar a ton
This minimum Increase, in some IN
stances, would have resulted in increasing
rates as much as % to so per cent.
The commission finds that the financial
conditions of the carriers in trunk line
territory do not warrant general N
crease of freight rates and that the needs
Of the New England lines are being cared
for locally. and disallows the proposed In
creases in those territories; but under
the title Of How carriers may increase
their revenues finds that great oppor-
tunity exists for increasing the net reve-
nuc Of all carriers in official classification
territory otherwise than by resorting to
a general advance in their freight rates,
and makes the following specihc sugSes-
tons:
Suggests Higher Fares.
1.-THE commission suggests that, fol-
lowing the plan adopted in New Eng
land, conferences be held between the
state commissions, the carriers and rep
resertatives Of the public with view
t. advancing such passenger fares as
may be shown to be clearly unremunera-
tive. With respect to fares fixed by
statutes In certain states, the commission
expresses confidence that IL these fares
are clearly shown to be unduly burden
some to the ca~ iers the people of those
states will cheerfully acquiesce. as the
people of New England have done. IN
sary legislative authority will be promptly
given
"The commission suggests that all
railroads in official classification terri
special services now being rem
dered by the carriers to shippers for
whicn no rpecis. charge. or a non-com-
pensatory charge. Is made con-
SClIQIo an UNJUST UuIucI upou SHo Soi0
riers or result in unjust discrimination
among the shippers
Cites Compilations.
In this connection the commission calls
attention to compilations prepared by it
from the carriers answers to the COM
missions inquiries, showing the practice
of individual roads as to (a) allowance
Of free time for loading or unloading car
load freight. (b) collecting and delivering
freight, (c) storing freight, (d) transport
ing containers, (e) furnishing and trans
porting dunnage. preservatves. ETC.;
% furnishing or paying for wharfage and
dockage, 20 refrigeration service, IN,
loading and unloading carload freight,
"a reconsigning carload freight and ID
other special services The xsn,Igssio commission
Of some OF these subjects, and particu-
larry of switching. lighterage and stor-
age in New York. Chicago and other a
large cities, the results of which Will De
.,,hn,itted later for the consideration OF