South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-05-12
Structure of American Trans
pOrtatiOn Tariffs Thrown
Out of Adjustment by
War Business.
COMMERCE COMMISSION
FACES A HUGE TASK
Say Work Will be Handicap
ped Unless Bill Passes In
GreaSing Membership
From Seven to Nine.
International News Service

international News Service:
WASHINGTON, May y. - The
entire structure Of American trans
portation rates-bOth land and by
water-has been undermined by the
European war and the interstate
commerce commission Is facing a
very serious task I'm attempting 20
bring order out Of the general con
fusion now reigning in the trans
pcrtation world. The new situations
developed by the war are.
The congestion OF freight cars in
the east.
The serious shortage of cans in
the west. holding up shipments Of
food. manufactured and raw ma
terials and generally embarrassing
middle western industry.
Demands OF railroads for higher
rates on commodities which have
increased I'm value because Of war
orders. In this connection freight
rates are usually largely based on
the value Of the article carried.
The necessity for the abhsh-
raent OF new arrangements for joint
rates and through rates 10 facilitate
shipment Of war supplies from in
terror points 70 the seacoast.
Fabric Out OF Adjustment.
The throwing out of adjustments
OF the elaborate fabric OF rates.
carefully woven by the commission
to meet conditions OF competition by
rail and by water from one coast of
the United States 10 another.
The suspension of coastwise trade
due largely TO the withdrawal Of
ships from the coasts and the great
lakes for use in the ocean traffic
where higher freight rates are
available. This has entailed the es-
Enlistment of new rates structures
To- handle the business forced 10 the
rail lines.
These situations require a tire
mendous amount Of work on the
part OF the commission and thar
body feels that il will be seriously
handicapped unless the bin now
pending i'm congress providing for
.he enlargement OF the commiss on
from seven 10 nine members, passes.
The transportation rate structure
OF the United States is So deliCately
adjusted that the greatest care is
required in making any revision. ac-
cording 10 members OF the commits
sion.
4 given situation where vastly i'm
creased traffic. due 10 war orders.
appears 10 Justify reduction in
railroad rates IS not cured 10y an
order Of the commission authorizing
the reduction. The result is that
points other than those involved
protest against such rate reductions.
arguing that they are Disseminated
AGAINST. business being thrown 20 the
favored point.
Thus. revision Of a seemingly linn
tied set OF rates usually involves "a
rate revolution covering an entire
region. The intermountain rate
case. the case involving rates from
Ohio. Indiana and Illinois territory
To south Atlant points, the case
concerning rates from northern
manufacturing cities TO the gulf OF
Mexico and score of others pend
ing before the commission VIII re-
suit in all probability i'm one OF the
most general rate revolutions the
United States has known for many
years and possibly at the close OF
tLe European war. peace viii bring
another change in conditions re-
curing another radical readjust-
ment