Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-07-06
HIGHER FREKGHT RATES
IN IDAHO REFUSED


Three smali steam roada and two !
electric lInea wera granted permits
sion last saturday b. the public ntil- !:
tiles commission 20 increase their
freight rates on Idaho intrastase
shipments Is per cent The COM
mission in the same order suspended {
supplements to tariffs filed by the
Oregon Short Line and the other /
large railroads of the state In which
freight rates had been advanced Is
per cent.
In denying TO the large transpor-
tation lines the privilege of advanc-
ing rates on intrastate shipments.
the commissions held that higher
freight rates were not Justified,
since all Of the principal railroads
of the state viii make more money
this year than last.
The supplements to tariffs making
blanket advances ON all freight rates
on intrastate shipments were filed
by the railroads with the utilities
commission in May with the request
that the new rates become effective
July /. The Boise Commercial club
and dozen other civic bodies, the
sugar companies, several of the
lumber companies and some OF the
jobbers In the state protested against
the increase in rates. The rail-
roads were allowed by the commits
sion to present their case at hear
ling held May 20. June 15 the ship.
pers were heard. They claimed that
the railroads were earning fair re-
turn on investments made in Idaho.
THE findings Of the commission bore
out the statements presented by the
shippers.
Earning More Despite Costs
The large railroads of the state
will earn more money in 1917 than
in 1916, despite the increased oper-
ating costs, II their earnings for the
first four months of this year over
the first four months OF last year
can be used as an index of what may
be expected, the commission held In
its opinion.
In the opinion OF the commission
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
will earn $6,674,061.61 net this year
over last; the Great Northern will
increase its net earnings this year
over last by 81, O22,458.6s: the Ore
gon Short Line will earn $500, 232.-
81 this year over last; the Northern
Pacific will increase its earning this
year over last by $8,624, 997.01, and
the washington Railroad q
Navigation company will earn ST.
, 83S.722.44 more. The commission
arrived at these figures by using the
percentage OF increased revenue &C
cruing to the railroads during the
!, months OF january. February. March
!. and April this year over last.
Here ID the way the commission
!. estimates operating revenues, oper-
ating expenses and net revenues on
!, the five railroads for 1917:
Chicago, Milwaukee 9 st. Paul
Operating revenue .s124.05S,826.4z
: : Operating expenses s0,541,127.1d
Net revenues 1880. 43,618,699
Great Northern
Operating revenue se2,O5e,6O6.9s
Operating expenses $685. 22.3t
I Net revenues 1880. 36,66e, 1896
: o. w. n. j. N.
r Operating revenue $25,SO1 1868
). Operating expenses !. 17.822,432.4t
. Net revenues .....+. 1879. 1885
Oregon Short Lime
! Operating revenue .$3b,578, 222.7i
9 Operating expenses :. 1910, seal
= Net revenues ....... 1902, 1886.
;, Northern Pacific
! Operating revenue .s97,O77, 241.O-
. Operating expenses I. 61.4Os, 17S.2.
Net revenues ....... 45,674,O61.S'
. Some Advances All Right
II The advance in freight rates o.
u some commodities by the railroads i
g justified in some instances. said tn
y commission. In It's opinion the com
q mission said:
L 1.-THE commission feels that tn
y worldwide phenomenon of raisin
n prices ID by this time no novelty
Do Since 1905 prices have been ateadil
rising. The gradual rise has mir
rored itself In the rising cost OF liV
Ing. This rise in the price leve
n must eventually be reckoned with 4
railroading. For q time It's effeC
n may be overcome by the railroads
3 In justice TO the petitioners In thi
70 case, we believe that there are som
II commodities that could rightly stan
% reasonable increase without caus
of ing any hardship or injustice TO tn
A. public. The railroads of our cour
10 try are the great arteries OF com
Or merce and must In this crisis b
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