The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-05-24
Heads of Two Eastern Roads
Cross-Examined by Com
merce Commission.
DISCUSS ECONOMIES
Delaware and Hudson and
Pennsylvania Men Inter-
rogated on Finances.
BY Associated Press.

by AoooctAtoo Proe8.
Washington, May %. - Interstate
commerce commission hearings on the
petition Of the railroads for a general
Is per cent increase in freight rates,
were resumed today with executives Of
| two representative railroads Of the east
under cross examination by attorneys
for shippers. The witnesses were Pres
idents Rea Of the Pennsylvania and
Loree of the Delaware 4 Hudson. Both
| were closely questioned regarding the
finances of their roads and possible
economies which might be effected as
q means of offsetting increases in the
operating costs. Tomorrow executives
of southeastern lines will be cross cx-
amined.
Mr., Rea was examined at length by
clifford w. Thorne. representing a
group of shippers.
Much Of the examination was direct
| ed at what would be the Pennsylvania
reasonable requirements" for various
kinds of supplies this year. Mr.. Rea
was unable to give definite figures.
Methods Are Discussed.
Mr.. Thorne delved into the methods
of accounting of the Pennsylvania,
l asking WuclHeE luCIC&1SCu NOoVC WV "
charged to operating expenses.
Mr.. .Rea said part of the increases
could be SO charged.
| "Will the taking off of passenger
trains because of war conditions In
crease the earnings of your road, those
trains being SO much more expensive
to operate than freight trains?" Mr.
Thorne asked
| The witness replied that the subject
still was under consideration. and tina,
at this time it was impossible to de-
termine what the effect of such
procedure would be.
Can you think Of any other econo-
mics that might be effected? Mr.
| Thorne asked.
MANY have been suggested" was the
rcpy. I'VE do not know yet. however
whether any Of them will be practic
able
In response to further questioning
Mr.. Rea asserted that it was true tina
certain improvements contemplated 3!
his system, such as elimination o
grade crossings. might have to be de
ferred Just now because the moving Q
supplies demands first consideration.
Bulletin Made Exhibit.
Mr.. Thorne entered into the recor'
as Exhibit A., a bulletin issued by tn
railroad war board, in which certai
economies we're suggested.
The first of these had to do with
reduction of the percentage of loco
motives under repair and speeding
them up in operation.
Other suggestions made in the bulie
. tin had to do with the saving of fue
:, by careful steaming, the use of III
traction power of locomotives and tn
unloading times for freight cars. NJ
Rea admitted that there might b
. room for improvement along the line
suggested
Mr.. Rea was asked by one of tn
commissioners what the Pennsylvanl
. had done in the way of eEecun
economies because Of the operation
Of the Adamson law, such as shorten
ing railway divisions. The witness sal
any such action by the Pennsylvanl
was impracticable because of the tire
mendous expense that would be In
volved.
l President Loree was questioned RI
) garding the finances of the road. II
! said coal operations of the Delawai
: & Hudson last year had not been
e good from business point of view, bi
: that they held brighter promise for TT
coming year.