Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-17
RATE DECISION IN WESTERN
CASE MILD SLAP At PREsI.
DENT WILSON.
DISSENT OF DANIELS SHOWS
loWANs WERE RIGHT
Wilson Appointee Opposed by Cum.
Minis and Kenyon Favored Giving
Railroads All They Asked-Fsw Con-
ee.sions Granted May Give Rail
Manager Slight Leverage.
Especial Correspondence

| Washington, Aug. 17.-Refusal of the
interstate commerce commission to
grant to the western railroads any
thing like all the increases the roads
asked for in the western advance rate
case and the severe scoring given the
coal carrying roads in the anthracite
region by the commission in its re-
cent report have served to some ex-
tent to overcome the criticism of the
commission which has been wide
spread since the decision in the east
ern advance rate case.
1t is unquestionably true that if the
commission had allowed the western
roads to have their way in the western
advance rate case a blow would have
been dealt at public regulation of the
railroads in the eyes of large share
of the public. The sentiment for gov
ernment ownership would have been
greatly increased. In view OF the re-
cent decisions, more confidence will be
fell in the capacity of the commission
to deal with the vast problem of regu-
lation with some measure of regard
for the public interest.
The roads. it is true, have not en-
tirely abandoned their hopes of getting
an increase in the western case larger
than they were granted, They are
considering asking for rehearins. II
the eastern case, 1t will be recalled. the
commission, after once turning down
the roads, reconsidered and granted
large increases.
The decision OF the commission has
not given satisfaction in some quarters
close to the White House. The mem
Der of the commission who is closest
to the president is Daniels. of New
Jersey. He was not confirmed until
after a fight. Senators Cummins and
Kenyon opposed him because they
thought his views were too much pro-
railroad. In the western case. in
dissenting opinion. he favored allowing
the roads all they asked for Daniels
stand has stirred up rumors that If the
roads seek rehearing they will get
encouragement from the White House.
The president was sharply criticised
for the pressure he brought on the
commission in the eastern case and
it is considered doubtful whether he
will want to incur similar criticism
again. Moreover. it is not believed the
attitude of having topped in the
western advance rate case as well as
in the eastern case. Hence 1t is
pretty safe assumption that IL the
roads do seek a rehearing they can
not get a reversal.
The roads in the western case got
only about a fourth of the increases
; they ASKED. I his is d victory foT the
l;o r-bo . i, dc
and high finance were convinced there
would be large increases granted
Gives Roads an Opening.
But there is another way of looking
at it. The fact the commission al
lowed the roads any increases at all is
not for the public advantage The
course which the roads will now take
will be to argue that the commission
has admitted they are entitled to
more revenue, Then they will pro-
coed to increase Individual rates
wherever possible. The showing of
single rate here and another there
means gradual raising of the fabric of
rates.
It Is undoubtedly true that much of
the credit for the failure of the roads
to get the large Increases they asked in
the western case is due to the bril-
liant work Of Clifford Thorne.
It can hardly be reassuring, how
ever, to thinking men to reflect that
for the public to protect itself against
heavy exactions by the railroads in
the shape of high rates II Is necessary
almost constantly to wage a struggle
with the roads and that in the long
run there is a gradual elevation Of the
freight charges despite the efforts OF
public officials like Thorne.