New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-14
Commerce Board Submits
Proposal for Permanent
Adjustment
War Brought Change
Changes To Be Open to Re-
adjustment in Event of
Sea Competition

Washington. March l3.-The Inter
state Commerce Commission has placed
before the transcontinental railways
tentative findings in the inter-mountain
rate cases. proposing realignment OF
virtually the entire structure Of freight
rates between the East and West on
every commodity. The railroads now
have until April > TO enter any obiec-
tions. The time has come, the commits
son holds. for abolition OF low prefer
entail rates from Eastern producing
centres TO Pacific ports These rates,
nut into effect 20 meet the coast-to-
coast water competition, have been IN
force for years, and under them San
Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and
other Coast cities have enjoyed rates
far lower than those from the same
Eastern cities TO intermediate points.
Hereafter, should the commissions
findings be made permanent. intermedi-
ate points will receive rates from
Eastern centres as low as rates 20 the
Cost, if not lower From other cen
tres in the Middle West and along the
Missouri River the rates to intermedi-
ate points, such as Reno. Salt Lake
City, Spokane and other inland cities,
would be less than the rates to the
Coast.
Under the commissions proposal this
result could be attained IN two ways:
First, by increasing through rates from
the East TO Pacific ports or a number
Of articles on which the present rate
is found 10 be unreasonably lor-. and.
second, by realigninr rates TO inter
mediate points on many articles on
which the present through rate is
found to be reasonable.
Would Bring Revision
In either event. adoption Of the ten
tative findings would result in a sweep
ing revision Of tariffs from the East,
the Middle West and Missouri River
points TO towns and cities IN Arizona,
New Mexico. Nevada. Utah, Wyoming
Idaho, Colorado and Montana and 70 all
towns and cities in California, Oregon
and Washington. except on certain
commodities 70 port cities in the three
states last named
Although not directly stated in the
commissions findings. the European
war is the direct cause of the proposed
change. inasmuch as it has resulted IN
the virtual cessation Of all coast-to-
coast water traffic, leaving the trans
continental roads without competition.
With a view TO meeting the expected
reentry of steamship lines into coast
forecast traffic by way of the Panama
Canal after the war, the commission
proposes that the suggested rate
changes be so drawn as TO be capable
of easy readjustment.
May File New Tariffs
Although the railroads are not di-
rectly invited 20 file new tariffs in line
with the commissions findings. the
door Is left open for them to do so.
and specific suggestions as 20 the max
imum rates which should be proposed
are contained in an outline Of differ
entails between Atlantic seaports and
inland Eastern cities.
To establish an equitable scale OF
readjusted rates. IL is suggested TO the
carriers that the territory west of the
Missouri River be divided into four
zones Of 500, $50. 1900 and 1850 miles
and that a scale OF rates be applied,
gradually increasing, according TO dis
lance
The effect would be so far-reschnr
that officials consider that the case
easily takes rank with the per cent
cases decided two years ago. and -
that time characterized as the most
important which had come before the
commission for determination.
THE present situation as TO water
competition" reads the statement to
the roads, "is beyond dispute. There
is no competitive necessity by reason
of water service between the two
coasts which warrants the rail carriers
in maintaining lower rates under pres
ent circumstances 10 the Pacific Coast
than are normal or reasonable, or less
than TO intermediate points