Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-03-23
Ask An Increase In Both
Passenger and Freight
Charges
10 PER CENT NEEDED ON
ACCOUNT ADAMSON LAW
Say Condition Of Railroads
Financially Is Menace
|. to Country

Washington, Mar. ga general in
crease from 10 to 10 per cent in all
freight and passenger rates to cover
the increased cost of operation under
the Adamson law, is asked by all the
railroads of the country in a petition
laid before the interstate commerce
commission, the receipt of which was
announced today.
1t was stated the roads have met 9th
Ter heavy expenses besides the Adam
son wage increase and that they want
ito get themselves in shape to serve the
country efficiently in time OF war.
Request was made for blanket in
crease to facilitate prompt action, the
roads explained.
In presenting the case for the rail
roads, President REQ, Of the Pennsyl-
vania, stated:
We realize that the condition of the
railroads today presents menace 10 the
country, not alone to the owners of the
property, but affecting directly the in
ternatienal situation. 1t is absolutely
essential that the railroads shall be in
splendid working order.
UAder present conditions, rates and
revenues Of the carriers we believe this
| to be impossible,
Need Money for Emergency.
+. 1uppeFmost in our minds is that ne
are facing national emergency in
which the railroads must be most eff.
ficieDt arm to nlace at the disposal Of
the country Its industries and its peo-
| Pile.
| "The most reasonable and prompt ac-
| tion is required, in our judgment. Even
apart from that of the national emerg
ency, the facts of the situation are that
we already are confronted with in
creased expenses on account of fuel sup
plies and materials, wages and taxes,
as well as the increasing difficulty OF
raising new capital on reasonable terms
on account Of the existing conditions.
+" An examination OF the conditions
which the carriers are facing eonvinees
US that there will be 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.
Under the existing international
complications and exceptional industrial
Iactivity, the necessity and justice for
requesting increased rates is SO clear
end pressing for the benefit of the
country as q whole, we suggest that the
commission viii realize the Importance
of having the railroads in stronger
4 financial position.
Must Meet Heavy Demands.
''That can be done only by prompt
and liberal consideration, so that they
may place themselves in stronger
physical condition to meet all the de
mands of tn. country. And that in
creased rates required win be promptly
granted without any suspension of the
tariffs and to avoid tedious delays and
Expense Of compiling and printing tar
4 iffs for all the railroads of the eom-
try until the commission has decided
the question:
j Supplemental statements were maze
i BY representatives OF the New York
4 Cenetral, New Haven, Baltimore Il
Ohio, Erie, Chesapeake & Ohio, Boston
& Maine, New York, Chicago & St.
Louis and other roads.
\ The roads petition stated that Gin
our opinion the only practical method
Of securing proper relief is by per
: ccntage advancement in all rates. This,
of course, should be adequate to cover
/ the effect of the Adamson law and oth-
er wage increases already made and
those which will naturally follow to-
gether with increases inthe cost of fuel,
material and supplies.