The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-08-11

advances granted are, in the opinion
OF the commission, of relatively little
significance.
The commission itself has no final
estimate of the amount of the
increases in dollars and cents. From
various estimates of record, however,
made by witnesses for both sides and
based upon the higher figures where
the estimates disagreed, the following
table announced in the decision lndl-
Gates roughly the annual increase IN
the railroad revenues had the in
creases been allowed to go into erect;
2s7. ~ an
Live stock, s1,500.0Oo.
Packing house products and fresh
meats, $1,50O,OOO.
Coal, $1,226,122.
Making, with other items, a total
of $7,604,247.
Daniels and Harlan Dissent.
Dissenting reports were filed by
Commissioners Daniels and Harlan.
Differing from the attempt of the
eastern railroads to get a 5 per cent
increase, the western roads, instead
of asking a uniform increase, singled
out particular commodities, moving
mainly In carloads, and proposed
speclf1ed increases, changes affecting
minimum weights, increased charges
for special service and increased rates
on number of miscellaneous arti-
Giles. They based these claims for adj
dlt1onal revenue on the ground of fl
nancial needs, the downward tendency
or their net earnings, and contended
commodities involved do not bear
their equitable share of the burden.
the state commissions and other
bodies denied that the financial con-
dition of the roads warranted in
creased rates.
Kansas Comes Under Ruling.
The region more particularly affect
ed by the decision embraces Illinois,
wisconsin, Minnesota, the Dakotas,
Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas.
Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas,
Oklahoma, New Mexico and the coal
traffic of Indiana, Kentucky and Ala
pama.
Commissioner Daniels in his dis
senting opinion held the roads were
entitled to inc1 eases 'far in excess of
those granted by today's decision. He
was convinced that the majority of
the commission in refusing the prin-
cipal increases took the position that
the financial straits of the railroads
were traceable to financial malad-
ministration. The commissioner held
there was no question as to the facts
in the financial affairs of the Rock
Island, Frisco and the Alton, which he
referred to as having been wrecked
and plundered," but he held the rate
increases were justified on their own
merit.
cit is suggested said Commission
er Daniels, that the appropriate rem
edy is the prosecution and punish
ment of individual offenders, not the
continued Withholding of adequate
rates to the carriers as a whole"
Operating Income Too Small.
He added that the railroads had
"abundantly demonstrated that their
operating income was smaller than is
demanded in the public interest.
Commissioner Harlan's dissent was
brief, merely holding that aside from
the financial condition of the rail-
they asked were just and reason
able. He concurred in the increases
allowed in the majority report, but
was unable to agree with the refusal
meats packing house products and
cotton piece goods, some of the prin-
cipal freight upon which the roads
asked more revenue.
Record of Industry.
The majority. held that the financial
ofsthe roads had been that
of industry generally but refers to
the possibility that particular car
riers by reason of financial misman-
agement reflected in their operation
methods have been uneconomical and
wasteful in expenditure and thus nee
essarily increased their operating ra-
tios.''
ut does not appear" the majority
held, that any uniform relationship
can be traced between the present
level of the operating ratio of car
rierS whose financial administration
mas been cu1pable and of the remain
ing carriers. Similarly, instances of
notable increases in the operating ra-
tics do not seem to be confined to
roads such as the Rock Island or the
Frisco. The negative conclusion
reached in this connection is but con-
firmatory of the fact that the general
in the operating ratios is
to deep-seated underlying
causes which have affected carriers
increased operating costs"
Topeka railroad officials state that
they have not had sufficient time to
examine the decision to make any
comment upon it. However, judging
from the facial expression of some Of
icials, the decision did not make
rates as satisfactory as expected. The
refusal of an increase in grain rates
will be blow to Kansas roads while
the same will undoubtedly be true his
regards the proposed advances on live
stock in carload lots. The latter were
held by the commission as not justi-
fable.
ROADS ARE DISAPPOINTED.
Wanted More. But Be |'Thankful for