East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-12-19
OFFICIALS
N NORTHWEST SEE
PROSPERITY AHEAD
BOOM is BOUND TO COME AS RE-
SUIT OF INTERSTATE COM
MERGE DECISION
Five Per Gent Increase In Rates Is
welcomed As Most Joyous News
Received In Long Time-Awnken-
ing OF Business In An Lines Is
Predicted TO follow at once.

PORTLAND, Ore, Dec. 1s.-An-
rouncement that the interstate com
merce commission had gtanted the 5
per cent increase in rates asked for by
the eastern roads was received in
Portland as the most welcome news
In many months. The qualification
was not confined merely TO the rail-
road officials. Bankers. merchants
end shippers received 1t with satisfae-
ton as well. Perhaps the best evil
dence Of the significance OF the
sweeping decision is contained In a.
statement OF W. ID. Skinner. traffic
manager OF the Hill lines in Oregon,
who was shown the press dispatches
from washington bearing the news to
Portland
'The decision Is the most important
piece OF good news to the American
people since the present administra-
tlon took office" said Mr.. Skinner.
1T means that the government has
made good the recent utterances OF
President Wilson that his administra.
ton was through hectoring business
and that the railroads have absolutely
proved their case before the interstate
commission. The decision grants
practically every request made by the
eastern roads except a few OF minor
importance and some applying TO
hauls In which lake traffic Is involved
and these probably have been merely
suspended FOR further showing by the
carriers.
1T looks very much as II there
would be an early awakening in busi-
ness throughout the country The rul-
ing will mean millions OF dollars in
increased revenues for the roads and
will enable them 10 make a fair return
On investments which thy have not
been able to DO under present rates.
In this connection It Is a notable fact
that the government has realized the
full Justice OF the contention OF the
carriers and has accepted their facts
and figures as setting forth the con-
ditions under which the companies
were forced to operate at loss.
"I am sure the general business
conditions will be stimulated as a re-
suit OF this decision. II will serve to
restore the confidence OF the investing
public in railroad securities and the
roads will be able TO attract money
TO enable them to enlarge their ter
minal facilities, buy more rolling stock
and motive power equipment and once
more make them a purchasing power
/ Of our own commodities and products
including labor.
"The ruling naturally will have a
/ reaction in the west, because II Is In
these states where the railroads need
the most money for investment pur-
/ poses. and II Is almost foregone
conclusion that the western roads will
now be in a position to go before tbs
interstate commerce commission and
make a showing as worthy OF relief
as that presented by the eastern lines
"The Interstate commerce commits
sion has handed the American people
as we'll as the railroads directly az
fected a most acceptable Christina,
present. for as I said before. the gov
> ernment has practically assured thu
public that business is entitled Z
! earn a fair return on its investmen
and that the government Is clearl
. convinced that the railroads are en-
titled to greater compensation 10
the service rendered than they hav
been receiving"