Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-11
FEW HIGHER RATES
FOR WESTERN LINES

The interstate commerce COM
mission today gave its decision in
the western freight rate case, al
lowing advances in bituminous
coal, coke, fruit and vegetables
and denying increases on grain,
live stock, packing house products,
fertilizers and broom corn. The
decision allows some of the in
creases asked and denies almost
an equal number.
The decision affects freight rates
mainly west of the Mississippi and in
the southwest. It affects. indirectly,
every railroad in the United States, and
the commission today served notice
of its action upon 1900 great and
small lines. The decision denies all
the more important increases. The
advances granted are, in the viewpoint
of the commission, of relatively little
significance.
Increases Asked.
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 esti-
mates disagreed. the following table
announced in the decision indicates
roughly the annual increase in the rail-
road revenues had the increases been
allowed to go into effect:
Grain and grain products. $2.s4O,237;
live stock. $1,50o,00o; packing house
coal, s1.226. 1872; making, with other
items, a total of $7.6O4,247.
Differing from the. attempt of the
eastern railroads to get per cent
of asking a uniform increase. singled
out particular commodities, moving
mainly in carloads; and proposed speci-
fed increases, changes affecting mimi
mum weights. increased charges for
| special service and increased rates on
a number of miscellaneous articles.
Reasons Assigned.
They based these claims for addition
al revenue on the ground Of financial
needs, the downward tendency Of their
net earnings and because the commodi-
ties involved do not bear their equita-
BILE share Of the burden. The state
commissions and other bodies denied
that the financial condition of the roads
| warranted increased rates.
Railway Officials Disappointed.
CHICAGO. August 1.-THE western
freight rate adjustment by the inter-
state commerce commission was large
| ly disappointing to the heads of the
railroads affected.
! THE advances are much less than
we had right to expect, as Commits
sioner Daniels. who heard the evidence
commented e. D. Sewall. vice presi-
dent of the Chicago. Milwaukee and St.
all small favors.''
Mr.. Sewall's remarks were typical
Of others.
May Seek Increased Fares.
NEW YORK, August II. - Eastern
| railroad officials were unanimous IN de-
claring that the rate increases granted
the western roads were almost too
small to make any material change in
existing conditions. Taken in the ag-
gregate, the increase amounts to one
quarter Of one per cent. or about Sl,-
10000 addition to be divided among
forty-one lines.
| The increases asked for by the western
! roads ranged from 2 to 3h per cent, and
in some instances to as much as per
cent. Altogether. the roads west of Chi
cago Jared less well than those east Of
that center in the advances granted last
year.
It is understood that the western roads
now will renew their agitation for In
creased passenger rates. the tentative
| schedule Of which calls for advances Of
8 to IS per cent. Private advfces from
Washington indicate early action on this
schedule by the interstate. commerce