Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-20
TENTATIVE PERMISSION
TO ROADS TO RAISE RATES
!. {. C.'S Order Subject to Recall or
Change Prior to Effective Date,
June 1 Next
HEARINGS WILL BEGIN TO-DAY
issue In This Way Put SquareIy Re
fore Railroads and Shippers i'm
Definite FOrm-FulI Investigation
Likely Before Final Finding.
WILL BEGIN TO-DAY
IRy Associated Press. l

WASHINGTON, April lg-An rail
roads were granted tentative permis-
sion by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission to file supplemental tariffs in
creasing freight rates generally Is per
cent. effective June next.
In this manner. the commission dis
posed OF the question Of procedure In
dealing with the application OF the
roads In every section for general in
creases The commissions order IL
tentative. subject to recall or chang.
prior TO the effective date OF the rates.
In this way, the commission brings the
issue squarely before the railroads and
the shippers i'm a definite form. Hear
irgs will be begun tomorrow, at which
each side Will be given an opportunity
to state its views. and full investi-
cation OF the proposed increases seems
likely before the commission issues
its final finding.
NJ the first OF these hearings to-
morrow. Shippers from New York, Chi
cago Cincinnati and other large cities
will be present to define their attitude
as TO the railroads demands.
ARRANGEMENT WILL DE
VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED
supplemental to the general tenta-
tive order. the commission issued an
order day permitting the increase TO
apply. tentatively. on all through rates
which are lower than the total OF
rates to aud from intermediate points
This affects chiefly the towns and
cities in tho intermountain territory.
The tentative order permits a hori-
zontal raise of II per cent on all rates
including those to intermediate points
Shippers from tho great stretch of
territory included in the intermoun-
tain country have siEnified their inten-
ton of opposing this arrangement Wig
orously.
The commissions attitude is made
clear in this section OF the tentative
order:
THE commission does not hcrch,
approve any rates that may he filed
under this authority, all such rates
being subject to protest. suspension.
complaint investigation and correction
If in conflict with any provision of the
act to regulate commerce.
CERTAIN COMMODITIES
NOT EMBRACED IN ORDER
All commodities are embraced under
the order. with the exception of those
upon which ihe roads have signincd
that application for specific increases
would be asked. Excepted commodi-
ties .tTC Ottun1lnOuS Goa ana coke from
producing fields in Pennsylvania.
Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia.
Kentucky. Tennessee and Ohio to At
lantic seaboard and Great Lake ports.
and, in the case OF coke. from ovens
in West Virginia. Kentucky aud Vir-
ginia to furnaces within these States;
and iron ore from producing points in
the Middle West to furnaces
Exception also was made as TO pro-
posed Increased rates on Southern
lines on coal and coke.
Further exceptions arc made in the
case OF terminal charges, charges for
demurrage weighing, switching car
service. transfer, diversion. reconsign-
ment. refrigeration. icing, storage ele-
vation or other special service upon
which no advance is sought by the
roads.