The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-04-02
of Operating Pennsylvania.
Lines and Steel Cars IS An.
other Heavy Cause
IcHAReE MUCR GREATELa
In Fact Everything Connect edl
with Operation is More E
penSive Than Formerly
ssY AssoeIATEp pRsasS


WASHINGTON. April 2.
dent Rea Of the Pennsylvania 81 stem
was the last witness to be heard to-
day before the interstate Commerce
Commission on behalf Of the EASTERN
railroads asking for an increase ~
freight rates. Oral testimony Tor ene
roads was concluded with his
ment.
Chairman Harlan and Commissio
ers Clark and Meyer were on the
bench today. Dr. Dumbys the AUS
ambassador, and bis
guest, Prince Munster, OF DerneDuxks
were interested auditors.
]. T. Wallis, general super1nt
dent of motive power Of the Pennsyk-
yania interrogated by CltnordS
Thorne, explained that steel cars ~ g.
heavier locomo olives had induced an
increase in repair costs while htgl
wages materially had adder to thai
item of expense.
J. S. Rogers, general superfntenq-
ent of the Pennsylvania, testihed
that Charges to operate expenses ON
the Pennsylvania system east q
Pittsburg were $24. 855s624 In 1910
and S2941l210 In 1913, an increase
of 1S $40 per cent" He said that
expenses for maintenance of way dur
ing 1918 were much greater than
ever before and probably would re-
cause of large increases in wages
the policy of regulatory bodies, 1El-
creased demands of the travelling and
chipping public, the necessity for
higher standard of track structure
and roadbed, on account OF heavier
equipment and traffic and the poAac8
of eliminating grade crossing esta0
fishing various safety devices
strengthening lines and similar work.
He indicated also the higher cost OF
rails, ties and materials used In deep
ening roadbeds. He dwelt parttcu-
larIy upon the cost of safety appliance
es demanded both by law and public
sentim emit.
President Rea said emp attcally In
a carefully prepared statement that
not only the pennsylvania but al
American railroads were confronted
with the necessity of retrenchmene
which might prove serious unless
they were permitted to increase taesAE.
net incomes Said he.
Unless the gap between the re-
cefpts and expenditures can be Wild
ened we must begin to reternch ana
retrenchment must begin on better
ments and improvements not direct
ly necessary to the movement o1
trains. We should he reluctant 70 qaS
this as it would DE to run counter 70
our traditions and practices or hair 9
century and we are sure that II would
not be in the public interest and we
do not believe the public desires u.
President Rea concluded his direct
statement with the following compar-
ison OF the condition Of the railroad
in 1898 and 1913: "In 1898 the com
many was emerging from period Of.
prolonged and very severe depres-
sion whereas in 1913 1t was at the
end of great period Of growth. It
would be natural under ordinary cir
cumstances that the owners OF the
property should find themselves very
much better of In 1913 than they
were in 1893"
In the fifteen years between 1898
and 1919 the company had the Dene7
At of the following:
"An advance in certain commodity
rates.
THE expenditure of hundreds Of
million OF capital for Improvement
and enlargement of facilities ana
equipment.
"a consequent great Improvement
in efficiency and use of plant.