Omaha daily bee., 1915-06-23
WESTERN MEN TELL
OF RATE DEMANDS
Representatives of States in Middle
West Appear Before Interstate
Commerce Commission.
NEBRAsKANs AMONG NUMBER

(From a Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 22.-(Spe-
cial Telegram. Interest centered
about the audience room OF the
Interstate Commerce commission to-
day when oral arguments were be-
gun in the western railway rate ad-
vance cases. These cases involve
about $50 railroads operating in
territory west of the Mississippi and
east of the Rocky mountains.
The roads in question have postponed
increases not only on many freight COM
modities. but have intimated that they
must advance passenger rates in order
to break even" In consequence OF these
proposals the city is filled with represen-
tatives of commercial bodies, chambers
of commerce, railroad commissioners and
even attorneys general Of a number OF
western states who are interested in the
hearings, which at best will consume q
week or more.
Nebraskans Have Part.
In the throng that faced the commission
this morning were Attorney General
Willis Reed Of Lincoln, Henry T. Clarke.
railway commissioner of Nebraskai Il. J.
Mcvann, traffic manager of the Com
mercial club of Omaha. and A. F. Stryker
secretary and traffic manager Of the Live
Stock exchange OF Omaha.
Carl Wright, formerly of Omaha, made
the principal argument of the morning
session in behalf OF a number of rail-
roads, going into the needs for increased
taa hoh ~
riers, showing the financial situation OF
the roads, he represents as reasons for
the prayer for advance.
It is understood Ar Stryker will be
heard by the commission against the
proposition TO advance rates because OF
it's bearing on the Omaha market.
Reed and McVRnn Ready.
Attorney General Reed has several sug-
gestions TO make TO the commission along
new lines of investigation which has an
intimate relation with the subject now
under consideration.
Mr.. McVann. who is as we'll equipped
10 discuss the subject Of rate increase
as any man directly interested In the
question. will content himself with num-
Der Of briefs he has prepared bearing on
several phases OF lne lhNebIBdtlon.
Long asd short Hauls.
In connection with the hearing on the
advance rate cases Mr.. MeVann, as a
member OF a special COMMITTEES OF the
| National Industrial Traffic league, came
east to hold a conference with Commits
sioner Clark OF the Interstate Commerce
commission on tho nonobservance OF the
long and short haul clause and also look
ing to new baggage regulations.
/ Henry T. Clarke and f. J. McVann will
be compelled TO leave Washington on
Thursday I'm order to be present at the
Nebraska rate case hearing 70 be held
az Omaha June q.
Wright Opens Argument.
The commission first heard argument
on the financial condition CT the road
b. C. c. Wright. attorney for the North
western. Faced with increased taxes
higher costs Of labor and added expenses
a. many other directions. he contsnde'
an increase on some OF the more impor
tant commodities Is justified and will b.
understood and approved by the public.
Br. Wright suggested that the carrier
might cut expenses by reducing FIRE
quency OF trains. but thought the publi'
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