The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-04
RATE DECISION
LIKELY MAY 10
Commerce Commission Sets
April - for Arguments
to Begin.
ENDS TAKING EVIDENCE
Reserves Right to Order
Economies in Lieu of )
Per Cent. Increase.
EXHIBITS YET TO BE FILED
Collateral Questions will BE
Postponed So as to Expedite
the Main Issue.
EXHIBITS YET TO BE FILED

NAsHlNGToN. April S.-INe Interstate
Commerce Commission has granted the
request OF the railroads to have the adj.
vance rate case expedited through a de-
cislon as soon as possible on their petition
for a 5 per cent. increase and by postpon-
ing a settlement Of the collateral aues-
tons until after the main issue is disposed
Of.
Developments to-day led the carriers to
hope for q decision by May 10 or Nay
- at the latest
The commission clearly reserved to it,
self an opportunity for suggesting other
ways for the railroads to increase their
revenues in the event OF a decision that
the present revenues are inadequate. In
other words, II the commission should be
unwilling to grant a horizontal increase
Increase and recomme ndations for econ
omy as IL sees fit.
Chairman Harlan Of the commission an
nounced at the end of to-day's proceedings
that the case was closed subject to the
filing Of certain exhibits offered by the
railroads and representatives of shippers.
Chairman Harlan suggested an early
date for argument; He said that the first
- and suggested that date
Clifford Thorne, representing Western
railroads. said that on account 81 the
magnitude of the case he would not he
able to file his brief and prepare his
argument by that date. Louis ID. Brandeis.
representing the commission. said that
April p would better suit his convenience.
Chairman Harlan sets Date.
Chairman Harlan then suggested April
George F. Browneli OF the Erie Rail-
road said that the carriers had no desire
to urge undue haste, but that they would
ne willing to submit the case without oral
argument and without briefs.
The commission seemed anxious TO dis
pose OF the case. The setting of a date A
little more than two weeks after the clos
ing OF the testimony indicates this, par
ticularly as Chairman Harlan warned at
torneys that all briefs must be in before
April - and that no reply briefs would b.
permitted
Chairman Harlan said:
The case as submitted by the carriers
has followed the two questions Of inquiry
propounded by the commission in its first
order. namely DO the present rates Of
transportation yield adequate revenues to
common carriers by railroads operating
In official classification territory and
second, II not. what general course may
thc pursue 10 meet the situation
our Investigations under this first
question are TO be considered as coming
TO close subject 10 the tiling OF exhibits
mentioned.
The commission desires argument and
oriefs AT an early daie. - as to commerce
the argument on the first question"
Chairman Harlan therefore set April 81
as the date. The commission has already
postponed indefinitely the taking of testi-
mony as 20 llgh;erage in New York
harbor and free services. such as switch
ting and spottlng
The action Of the commission n def
nNsIy fixing arguments on only one OF
the TWO main questions pending - said to
have been for the purpose OF permitting Il
10 outline to the carriers the course they
should pursue to augment their revenues
II the commission should determine they
are Inadequate but should he unwilling
cent.
In other words, the pros edure does not
prevent the commission from disposing
OF the entire case with the Arguments
on the 21th. but permits il to keep con-
troll of the situation. IL Will be poss BILE
for the commission finally to suggest 70
the carriers that they increase their
revenues by making charges for spottlng.
switchng. lighterage and through o.her
recommended economies.
II will be possible too for the COM
mission. in the event OF It's refusing to
grant a full 5 per cent Increase 10 pt,e
any portion of II and 10 suggest the
augmentation of revenues through the
stoppase Oh so-caieu Tree allowances and
cans,
Se,eral witnesses Were heard to-day.
W. -. MaA"ei, representing the Wabash
nAIIroau "nlch IL IN central Freight
A:eocia'loh territory SAID that rates in
.n,s 'errtory were lower tnan IN any
oeSF secuou oi we 'h''ru states
MINK that J., inc per cent increase
srah'eu IL VIII aHoru only partial re-
Hei, anu that an investigation should be
started prompt! on some such plan as
was pursued IN New England or by the
JOINT ac'ion OF the interstate commerce
COMMISSION ana the state commissions.
SAID MI Maxwell.
lie asserted that the carriers In Cen
uaI freight Association territory in
tended 10 make Application for an increase
IN ADDITION 10 the per cent. asked, and
ne sad that both increases were necessary
IN ORDER 10 keep some or the roads from
gong INTO the hands OF receivers
Mr. Thorne told the commission that
me case was being closed without either