Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-06-30
Says Carriers Profit by War.

Says Carriers Profit by War.
| Argument of the roads that they were
suffering heavily because OF wartime
from the commission. 1t being held
that the carriers have profited greatly
by the mobilization Of troops. The opin-
ion fntimated that a rehearing would
be of no value at this time. but said
| tibet relief will be granted within the
next few months IL the carriers meet
adverse conditions.
| The commission concluded that the
roads pessimistic predictions Of jeop-
ardfzed Incomes for early in 1917 were
able for those months. 1t points out
that comparisons were made largely
between last February's unusually un-
favorable statistics and those of 1916,
a most prosperous year for all car
riers.
| Commissioner Mcchord, who, with
Commissioner Meyer. dissented in part,
urged that essential facts disclosed be
that an investigation be ordered to de-
termine whether prices demanded of
the carriers fYr fuel and supplies are
reasonable under present conditions.
Disputes Claim for Eastern Roads.
Commissioner Meyer. dissenting in
part, disagreed with the commissions
holding that an emergency exists for
eastern roads Of such character as to
make It imperative to authorize even
/ the increase in class rates sanctioned
by the majority. He stated that there
is no proof that the returns of the car
riers of the east for this year may not
be more favorable than the net returns
for all but a small number Of years in
their entire history.
The commission authorized the fol-
lowing raises in class rates for points
north of the Ohio, east of the Missis-
sippi: First class. from 1873 to 80; sec
ond class, from. $50 to 70: third class,
from 525 to go; fourth class, from 36.8
to AZ; fifth class. from 31.25 to 80, and
sixth class, from 1858 to 80 cents per
hundred pounds.
Had More Effect in East.
The commission found in general that
the effects of the Adamson eight-hour
basic day and of the increased cost of
fuel. supplies and materials had not af-
fected the southern and western car
riers as greatly as 1t affected the east
The commission suspended the pro-
posed tariff until October %.
The commission authorised roads to
file tariffs increasing existing joint
rates between rail-and-water carriers
to level not higher than the all-rail
rates between the same points"
Argument of the Company.
!. In moving the commission to postpone
further hearings until there has been
a court decision on the appeal from the
valuation. the company, In brief sub
position that 1t would be unjust and
unfair for the commission to base rates
on the valuation of the property as an
nounced by the commission last May;
that that finding and oraer are not final
to be charged during the tendency of
the appeal, because manifestly to do
SO would to that extent be destructive
! of the very subject matter of the ap-
peal, and pro tanto of the right of the
appeal and would thereby deprive the
1 respondent of the right to charge rates
prescribed by law pending prelimi-
| nary Investigation in respect thereto
! before such preliminary investigation
has been legally completed
other points brought out in the brief
are the statements that by reason of
present extraordinary economic and
| financial conditions 1T would be i'm
with reasonable certainty what rates
will be fair for the immediate future
and pepding said appeal, and that there
| is every reason to believe that all
grades of material and labor will be
| increased in the near future.
Revenues May Be Cut.
1t also is alleged that the same prob
abilities exist as to the cost Of coal
and other kinds of materials; that the
closing November 1 of saloons. which
are large users of electric light. will
deplete the revenues of the company
approximately $4,000 and that the
going into effect of the daylight saw
ing law" will further cut the revenues
Of the company about ,pat $4,000; sss It fur
Their is contendea arc ina. ~ me Widespread
householders will reduce materially the
consumption of electric light.
| After pointing out numerous other
reasons why, in it's opinion. it would he
unfair for the commission to establish
rates under the present uncertain condi-
ttons, the brief concludes:
with taxes going up. with the finan-
cial and producing resources Of the
country being taxed to their utmost
with the prices of labor and materials
Of all kind and OF everything that eoes
tha daily expense Of this Iespondsnt ~