Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-19


Clements dissenting, the majority of
the commission declared:
Whatever the consequences of the
war may prove to be we must recog-
nize the fact that 1t exists; the fact
that it is calamity without preceden.,
and the fact that by it the commerce
of the world has been disarranged and
thrown into confusion. The means of
transportation are fundamental and
Indispensable agencies in our indus
trial life and for the common veal
should be kept abreast of public re-
quirements."
Basis of Decision
Summarizing the basis of its de-
cision the majority report of the COM
mission said:
The facts disclosed and occur
rences originating subsequent to May
20. 1914, as presented to the further
hearing, may be summarized under
three heads-first completed returns
for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1914, and returns for succeeding
months: second, the war in Europe,
and third results of the original or
der.
[ when these cases were originally
submitted, as also when the original
report was prepared, the revenue AMI
expenditure account for June, 1919,
and the property investment account
for that fiscal year were not avail
able. the war was unforeseen, and the
results of our order We're, of course,
yet to come Collectively they present
new situation"
The commission issued this order
TT is ordered that respondents here
in be and they hereby are authorized
to publish and file, by not less than
10 DAYS notice to the Interstate Com
merce Commission and to the general
public in the manner prescribed In
Section 6 of the act to regulate com
merce. schedules of rates which do not
exceed the limits of, or transgress the
limitations. stated and prescribed in
said report.
1T is further ordered, that the per
mission hereby granted does not waive
any of the requirements of the COM
missions published rules relative to
the construction and filing OF tarin
publications nor any of the provisions
of the act to regulate commerce as
amended, except as to the notice TO
be given"
Application in September
The application of the Eastern roads
for re-hearing of the rate case was
made on Sept. 10 last and stated tina.
,t was made in behalf or liz railroad
companies comprising 50 railroad sys
TENS. in official classification terri
tory"
II set forth that since the commis-
ston,s prevfous decision facts ana
circumstances have arisen, warrant
ing a re-hearing on the subject. Spe-
fiically it was stated that since the
nrevious decision the complete income
accounts for the fiscal year endins
June 30. 1914, had become aVallaple.
1.-THE unforeseen European war
tbe netitfon went on to say. mas
brought about an unparalleled De
str,,ction of wealth and dislocation OF
credit throughout the civilized woria.
Advances Permitted
The carriers are permitted TO niahe
the applied for advance IN rates eA,
cent the rail lake and rail, lake anu
rail. and rail and lake trarnc; rates
on bituminous coal, and COKE rates
on anthracite coal and iron ore an"
rates that are held by unexplreo or
ders of the commission.
After further consideration the com
mission permits advances to pc H'aoe
also on cement, starch, brlck' ule' cay
and MASTER. On these commodities NJ
advances were permitted by the oe-
cision of Aug. /.
Toint rates between official classi-
eca.ion territory and territory south
~ the Potomac and OHIO and east on
tbc Mississippi may be increased not
to exceed per cent.
Interstate rates to and from NeN
E-roland also may be increased hot
to exceed per cent, ..,.
7vh;la present existing dinerentiais
,r,one various Atlantic ports are pre-.
sarved the rates between any TWO oi
them NAV be increased per cent
Text of Decision
The decision says: Ii.
.eyyhile we differ as to the relative
i,nnortance to be attached to the W.
IONS considerations presented, we
agree in the conclusion that, py VIZ
t,le of the conditions obtaining d.
nresent, it is necessary tnat the cal
riers' revenues be supplemental ~
increases throughout ofnciai ciassin-
cation territory. Whatever the cohse-
o,,ences of the war may prove to BE-
we must recognize the fact that 1t ex-
,ste the fact that it is calaHlty
without precedent and the fact ina.
hv it the commerce of he worio mas
,,aen disarranged and thrown INTO
aane,,sion The means of transporta-
49,, orc fundamental and indlspensi-
bic agencies in our industrial life ,. ana
for the common veal should be kept
abreast of public requirements
The original report, besides APPROX
ing a rate increase in central ireisna
association territory. suggested ~
sources of additional revenue Tor al
corriers throughout official classihca-
tion territory; the present report rec
ognizing the existence OF new =, ST.
nation since July 49, acquiesces IN
territorial extension of the relief grant
Cd to the Central Freight Associatioa
lines by permitting the carriers 10 iiie