The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-23
RATE DECISION
TO Be EXPEDITED
BY COMMISSION
Impression Is That 1t
Will Be Favorable to
Railroads.
PRESIDENT URGES
AGAINST della Y
Other Important Matters Held
Up Pending Final Action on
Proposition for Advance.
Evidence Practically All In,
and Finding Expected
Not Later Than June |.
rspcclal,o The Tim.s.pispa,ch. !

Washington, Marc GA canvass OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission
crs who will decide the rate advance
asked by the railroads, made to-day
shows:
First The crldcncc is practically all
and there will be few il any, atldi
tional hearings.
Second. The decision viii be expo
dited. and may be looked for in about
forty days--not later than June J.
Third. The oppression rathercd from
the evidence OF the need OF Increased
rates. III whole or in part, is said to he
convincing. and thc decision will be
favorable 10 the railroads.
Fourth. The commissioners are Keen
~ alive N the closcncss of relationship
OF prosperity Of the railroads with the
prosperity Of the business and general
conditions throughout the country.
fifth. Other important matters be-
fore the commission have been held up
until action shall have been closed on
the general proposition OF the > per
cent rate advance asked by the rail
roads
Sixth. President Wiison is urging i'm
dividuai members Of the commission TO
expedite the decision and clarity the
minds OF railroad and business men on
the subject before the political cam
start The Alabama rimaries will he
held in April.
New Commissioners DO Not Sit.
The rate decision will be rendered by
Chairman Harlan, and Commissioners
Clark, McChord. Meyer and Clements
TWO new commissioners, recently ap-
pointed by President Wilson, did not
SIT during the hearings.
Chairman Harlan Is absent from the
city, Other commissioners seen to-da :
declined to discuss Officially the mat
ter In detail. or to indicate the possible
character OF tho decision OF tho time.
when II might be expected. They held
such action would violate tho semi
judicial character OF the commissions
leading member Of the commit ion
declining l" be quoted, said:
Approaching the vast imnortancc
and significance of the action Of the
commission in these rate cases other
work has been held up, and the rate
cases advanced and rushed with due re-
gard 10 the collection OF necessary
facts and evidence on which To base
Il lair decision.
'Hasty and ili-considered action In
this case would work great harm to
both the railroads and shippers. ana
cost the commission loss OF confidence
of all directly Interested and OF the
country. That would be dcplorablc.'
Dccp Interest Munifesfed.
The deep interest OF the country liz
this decision" the commissioner con-
tinued, lis evidenced by the great mum
bcr OF letters ana other communica-
tions being received by the commits
sioners from tho railroads and from
business men.
THE commission must move with
the utmost care. Only three months
have been occupied in taking testimony
4
the commission shall grant hearings to
parties in interest The commission
has authority. or course, to end these
hearings when it decides 1t possesses
all essential facts.
The hearings have been for the
purpose of deciding whether all the
advances asked or q part OF them,
were necessary 10 tho prosperity uf
the railroads ana their Improvement
and development, and to the advantage
OF the shippers and of business. The
commissioners hold these matters be-
fore them constantly in passing on all
phases OF transportation coming before
them"
Commissioner Meyer said:
II have been on the commission only
Il little more than three years, but
the slightest tendency to~i,e Influenced
by anything except fact and law ap-
plicable thereto. ! have never had the
least suspicion that a commissioner
could be swervcd from :, high sense of
justice, fairness and right Any talk
about the commission being either pro
or antirailroad, is absurd
Milking Progress.
Commissioner Clements said:
The commission IS making prog
ross in the rate case as rapidly as pos
sbly. Hundreds of oren letters Oh the
subject have been received by the com
mission from time TO time. but | have
not had an opportunity 10 rcau them
all. Concerning the question of the
effect on business conditions, particu-
larly en- railroads. of the commission
crS consideration Of tho freight rate
INCREASES. / consider II would be high
iy improper TO make any comment"
Members of the commission admitted
that President Wilson was taking a
lively interest In the rate case to the
end or having the decision expedited.
sioners the terms of the decision, and
n commissioner said the President
would not make sucn mistake
The President has stated he wants
the decision because OF its possible
good effect on business throughout the
country.
General prosperity which includes
'"iiACAN Pt tOoPN- ~ WIN pioNc IL Nulu-
able aid to the Democratic party I'm
approaching congressional political
contests. The President wants n Dem
ocratic House continued to help him
TO carry through his Legislative pro-
gram.
This program might be blocked by a
Republican House.
Campaign in Alabama.
The congressional campaign Is on In
Alabama, the primaries there to be