Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-03-23
RAILROADS SEEK
Big RATE INCREASE
Advance of 10 to 10 FER
Cent in Transportation
Charges Asked
ADAMSON ACT SEQUENCE
wAsuINGToN. March 23.

WASHINGTON, MarcH -''
A general increase from ten TO hfteeh
per cent in all freight and passenger rates
to cover the increased cost OF operation
under the Adamson law is asked by all 'he
raiIroad. of the country In petition ia'o
before the Interstate Commerce 'onihiS-
sio, tho receipt OF which was announced
today.
It was stated the roads have met other
heavy rx .enses besides the Adamson wage
increase. and that they want to get 'nen-
se,ves in shape to serve the country eni-
cently in time Of, war
Deouest was made for blanket Increase
TO facilitate prompt action, the foaos en-
planned.
The roads petition stated that IN our
opinion the only practical method OF Sc
curing proper relief is by percentage ad-
vancement in all rates. This. OF course,
should be adequate to cover the eHec' "'
the Adamson law and other wage increases
already made and those which Will nat
urally follow through increase in the cost
of fuel. material and supplies.
REA STATES RAILROADS CASE
In presenting the case for the railroads.
President Rea, OF the Pennsylvania. sald
We realize that the condition of the
country not alone TO the owners OF the
property, but affecting directly the inter-
national situation II is absolutely essen
tiaI that the railroads shall be in splendid
working order. not merely workable phN-
sically, but in a position to fulfill their full
duties to meet what we all believe is COM
ing crisis in our history. and to do 1t ef-
fectively and properly.
Under present conditions. rates and rev
enues of the carrier, we believe this to be
impossible.
facing a national emergency in which the
railroads must be a most efficient arm to
place at the disposal or the country, its
industries and its people
The most reasonable and prompt ac-
ton is required in our Judgment Even
apart from that of the national emergency.
the facts Of the situation are that we are
already confronted with increased expenses
on account Of fuel supplies materials. wages
and taxes. as we'll as the increasing diff
Guilty Of raising new capital OH reasonable
terms on account of the existing conditions.
"An examination Of the conditions which
the carriers are facing and will face in the
immediate future convinces us that there
will be q serious reduction of the net
operating incomes of the carriers due to
several causes. We, therefore, deem it very
essential that the situation should be clearly
disclosed to the commission and desire to
obtain some suggestion as TO the best
method OF protecting the railroads against
these conditions.
Under the existing international COM
plications and exceptional industrial activity
the necessity and justice for requesting in
creased rates are clear and pressing for
the benefit of the country as whole that
we suggest the commission will realize the
importance Of having the railroads in a
stronger financial position.
THAT can be done only by prompt and
liberal consideration, so that they may place
themselves in a stronger physical condition
to meet all the demands of the country. And
that increased rates requested will be
promptly granted without any suspension Of
the tariffs and to avoid tedious delay and
expense Of compiling and printing tariffs
for all the railroads of the country until the
commission has decided the question: