Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-08-22

Georgia rates in reality intended for
crate soldier and his widow, and three
quarters of a million to the helpless
and insane.
The state collects this money and
sends the greater part of it back to
the purpose of increasing the revenue
of the railroads in Georgia?
Should the railroads base their pro-
posed revision solely upon the south
eastern REIMBURSEMENT, then the shippers
will contend as follows:-
That the southeastern readjustment
originated with the railroads.; that it
increased the revenue of the railroads;
that the interstate commerce commits
sion did not approve the reasonableness
of the new southeastern rates. but only
allowed the railroads to put them into
effect subject to complaint by shippers;
that the shippers of Atlanta and other
southern cities are now attacking the
southeastern readjustment; that these
cases are pending before the interstate
commerce commission; that the interstate
commerce commission may decide that
the new southeastern rates are unrea.
sonable, and orderSthem out; therefore,
that the railroads should Justify the
new southeastern rates before the in
terstate commerce commission, before
they ask the railroad commission of
vision of Georgia rates in accordance
with the new southeastern rates.
But should the railroads base their
proposed revision upon the ground that
its object is to increase their revenue
in this state. then the shippers will:
contend that they must prove that they
are entitled to an increase in revenue.
and must justify the enormous I'm
creases which, according to the Stats
teal bureau of the Georgia Shippers
association, the proposed new rates will
produce.
THE RAILROADS ANSWER.
Up to this time, the railroads have
based their proposed revision on neither
the one ground nor the other, but have
attempted to base II upon both grounds
Replying to the argument that Geor-
gia rates should not be revised to con-
form to the southeastern readjustment
until the southeastern reimbursement has
been finally approved by the interstate
commerce commission, they contend
that should the southeastern readjust-
ment and the Georgia revision, after
thorough test prove unreasonably high.
then there is a sufficient margin in the
new rates to allow for a substantial re-
duction.
As to the increased revenue which
the proposed Georgia rates will yield
the railroads, the contention of the rail-
roads on this point was developed yes
terday by some questions asked Mr..
Clifton by Commissioner Perry.
Then the rates YOU propose will in
crease your revenue?" Commissioner
Perry asked Mr.. Clifton. at a certain
point in the latter's testimony.
YES, that will be the immediate et.
feet" answered Mr.. Clifton.
How much will your revenue be In
creased on fertilizer, for instance" ask
ed Commissioner Perry.
ct do not know
Assuming that IL will be an increase
of 100000 per year, which estimate
has been published. how would you
Justify such an increase"
REGARDLESS OF INCREASES"
I'VE take the position" stated NJ. Cliff
ton. THAT If rates are abnormally low.
they should be raised to a proper stan
dard, regardless of how much our reve-
nue. is increased"
Attorney Galloway yesterday announc.
ed a program Of subjects to be presented
by the railroads this week. This pro-
gram includes the presentation OF pro-
pose class rates and rate bases from
a number of Georgia cities. The pro-
gram is subject to change. but not like
y to be changed, and is as follows:
Monday. from Savannah and Bruins
wick.
Tuesday. from Atlanta, Rome and Dali
ton.
Wednesday. from northwest Georgia,
ElbertOn and Gainesville; from north
east Georgia. Athens and Augusta.
Thursday. from Macon, Milledgeville,
Columbus, Albany, Americas and Daw
son
Friday. from Cordele, Townsville,
cambridge, Quitman and Valdosta.
Saturday. from Triton, Fitzgerald,
WLycross and HawkinsVillA