Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-01-28

stantial increase in freight and passen-
ger rates, we wish to cite the recent
decision of the Interstate Commerce
Commission in granting per cent
increase in freight rates to eastern
lines-a fact with which the reader Is
doubtless already familiar. In render
ing this decision, the commission took
occasion to point out the precarious
financial conditions which have been
brought about by the great foreign
war, and which have added enormous
ly to the former troubles OF American
railroads. So. too, the commission
pointed out the commemorative pas
senger incomes which obtain almost
upon every hand, and especially upon
the local traffic within the different
states. IL the commission was correct
in its view that the eastern lines were
entitled to an increase of per cent
in freight rates-and the decision has
been applauded in business circles
turnout the nation-then how much
more are the western lines entitled to
an increase? The population per
square mile of Massachusetts is AL.
of New York 204. of Pennsylvania ISL.
of Ohio 122, while in Iowa it is only
30. In view of these facts, can there
be any doubt OF the justice of the plea
made by the railroads of Iowa at this
time?
New York and Pennsylvania.
Four years ago, as governor of New
York. Justice Hughes, of the United
States supreme court. vetoed 2-cent
passenger rate law enacted by the leg
islature on the ground that II was an
arbitrary procedure which did not take
into consideration a fair return upon
the railroad properties OF that state
and few men stand higher in the es-
TEEN OF the American people than this
great jurist who did perhaps as much
as any other man in the country to
break up illegal and unfair practices
on the part Of large corporations.
So. too. the supreme court Of Penn
sylvania held that a 2-cent passen-
ger faro was unconstitutional in that
state because it was essentially con-
fiscatory. This high court took the
position that capital invested In rail-
roads is entitled to earn s per cent on
fair capitalization and that the
arbitrary enactment Of e-cent fare
rendered impossible such return
upon the lines in Pennsylvania. 1t also
took the position that railroads not
only have the right to insist upon
fair return upon both local freight and
passenger business but that II is their
duty to do so In order that one class
OF patrons may not be compelled to
pay an inequita BILE rate to make up the
losses sustained in another department.
If the arbitrary enactment OF 2
cent passenger rate IS unfair to the
railroads Of New York and Pennsyl-
vania, where there are large centers
Of population and where the nations
greatest density Of freight tonnage
naturally exists, how much more un-
fair is such rate In a purely agri-
cultural state like Iowa?
AS result Of the action Of Governor
Hughes In yetoing 2-cent passenger
fare bill, in New York and The supreme
court OF Pennsylvania declaring It con-
fiscatory in that state the railroads OF
both New York and Pennsylvania are
today operating under a ~ cent pas
senger fare, while In Iowa they are
compelled to content themselves with 2
cents per mile. In the meantime, In
further confirmation OF the population
figures cited above, the total popula-
ton Of New York state IL 9.712.e64, in
Pennsylvania it is s,107,942, while in
Iowa 1t is only 2,222.472. Surely II
the great Pennsylvania system can es-
tablish the fact that 1t Is Justly en-
title to 21 cents per mile for
carrying passengers the Iowa roads
with their thousands OF miles OF ex-
pensiye branch lines in a territory al
most purely agricultural and with no
large cities or manufacturing centere
should have little difficulty in estab-
fishing the Justice Of their plea?
All the railroads Of Iowa ask Is that
the local traffic shall bear its Just pro-
, portion of the expenses of operation
| taxes and maintenance-and In asking
this they are pleading not merely fnl
simple Justice, but upon this depends
the character OF service which they
will be able to furnish the public rom
this time forward. There is no magic
I art by which railroads can perform tbs
impossible-and in the final analysis
the people get the kind Of railroad ser.
vice they pay for. just as they do II
/ other realms of merchandising.
Conditions Must Be Faced.
In his opinion given in the eastern
rate advance case. Commissions
! Daniels Of the interstate commerc'
! commission, referred to the fact tina
4 the IICi6hS sAhN HocScAAo ~
rates established In many states during
the last few years means that. with tn
ever increasing cost Of operation, tn
railroads Of the country are facing ,
condition which means that they ca.
neither give adequate service to tn
public or make such q showing upoI
Z! their properties n win enable them 4
borrow the millions necessary for fu
ture betterments and improvements. Il
conclusion, he says, 1t - situation
d which must be faced. not trifed with.
Once more We wish to impress upol
the reader that the RAILROADS shoul
not be confused with private enter
{ prises which are able TO advance thei
, prices to meet the exigencies Of tn
|. hour. The railroads are bound ham
, and foot and can charge no more thal
!, the law says Suppose that thru som
, statute tho state Of Iowa should -,
, to the farmer. that regardless Of tn
cost Of production or the volume Q
. yield, he shall sell his corn 1t not I
; exceed 80 cents DEE bushel? Or sup