Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1914-08-07

would have earned S29.000,000 more.
1.-THE three great trunk lines have eacl
large mileage in Central Freight Associa
ton territory, so that their revenues will
be augmented by rate increases in tina
territory Thus, OF the New York Contra
systems 1880 miles of line, 1898, o
more than two thirds. are in Central Freight
Association territory. Nearly one-half o
the mileage of the Pennsylvania system
is also in that territory and more than one.
half Of the Baltimore and Ohio. The Erie
the Chesapeake 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
citation 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 Associa-
ton territory are so low that an increase
of 5 per cent. would clearly not be unrea-
sonable, but points out that class-rate
structure in that territory is honeycOmbed
with Inconsistencies. and says:
1.-The attitude of the officials of the
roads operating in Central Freight Asso-
citation territory. as disclosed on the record.
indicated that they joined in this proceed
ing not because they thought the so-called
S 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 gen.
eral plan of relief
1.-THE commission then adds:
There can be no doubt upon the record
that the carriers in Central Freight Asso-
ISOLATION territory ought. in the public in
terest, to have as much additional revenue
as would be produced by per cent. in
crease. 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 it more
at once to undertake the read
ustment which they assert is necessary.
THE proposed increase in alexandria,
'ates and in rates between Central Freight
Association territory and other portions of
,fIicial classification territory are disal-
owed. The effect of the findings is also
o disallow the application of the proposed
minimum increase of cents a ton on
hose commodities for which a charge is
low made of less than a dollar a ton. This
minimum increase. in some instances.
would have resulted in increased rates as
much as rs to so per cent.
THE commission suggests that, follow
ng the plan adopted in New England, con-
erences be held between the State COM
the carriers and representatives
If the public, with a view to advancing
iuch passenger fares as may be shown to
Ne clearly unremunerative. With respect
o fares fixed by statutes in certain States,
he commission expresses confidence that
{ these fares are clearly shown to be I'M
luly burdensOme to the carriers the people
# those States will cheerfully acquiesce.
Is the people of New England have done,
n reasonable increases, and that the nee
.ssary legislative authority will be promptly
.iven.
THE commission suggests that all rail-
Dads in official classification territory
hould ascertain to what extent special
ervices now being rendered by the car
iers to shippers for which no special
harge, or a nOncOmpensatOry charge, is
made constitute an unjust burden upon
he carriers or result in unjust discrimina-
ion among the shippers. In this connec-
ion the commission calls attention to
prepared by it from the car
iers answers to the commissions inqui-
les showing the practice of individual
Dads as to: (a) Allowance of free time
or loading or unloading carload freight,
BY collecting and delivering freight. (c)
torine freight, (d) transporting containers.
e) furnishing and transporting dunnage.
etc.; Diminishing or paying
or wharfage and dockage, (e) refrigera-
ion service. (h) loading and unloading
;arload freight, ID reconsigning carload
reight and ID other special services. The
also refers to independent
Investigation of some of these subjects,
and particularly of switching, lighterage.
and storage in New York, Chicago and
other large cities. the results of which will
be submitted later for the consideration of
carriers and shippers.
THE commission recommends that the
practices Of granting free transportation
Of passengers and private cars should be
further restricted by the carriers. and calls
attention TO the fact that at the average
rate per passenger mile in official classifi-
cation territory in 1918 the passenger
miles represented by trip passes alone
would have yielded in passenger revenue
S,520,000.
1.-The commission recommends "A careful
review of methods for increasing freight
car efficiency saying; Taking the aver
age of all roads in official classification
territory for the whole year, the time q
car is moving in trains probably does not
exceed three days out of 80, and the cal
is under load only two out of those three
days. Furthermore, the cars under load
are loaded on an average to only about
So per cent. of their capacity. The per
centage of empty movement and of waste
capacity in loaded cars have both grown
THE commission suggests that as soor
as reasonable opportunity offers properties
heretofore acquired by the carriers which
are not used or held by them for transpor
tation purposes be Sold adding From
compilations prepared by the commission
Of the incomplete replies to our question,
il appears that the aggrepate cost of sucl