Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-29
1TArG coMMiesioN LOOKS FOR
ls ADVANCE UNDER GOVERN.
MENT OPERATION.
sGxeEcT REIMBURSEMENT
UNDER MApoo RULE
lpecial to MINES -Republican.

special to TimeS-Republican.
Des Moines, Dec. 29.-Railroad rates
I'm iowa are very apt to be boosted now
\ that the government has taken over
I the control Of the transportation lines.
This b the view of the members OF
tho; state board Of railroad commits
sioneFs.
The rates within the state are much
lower than interstate rates on the ma
joFity Of commodities, state commits
AioHers point out, and the old fight OF
the railroads to make Iowa intrastate
rates conform to Interstate rates IS
very apt to be settled by advancing
local rates, the commissioners say.
II - pointed out that coal rates with
III the state are 80 cents per ton lower
than iare the interstate rates on coal.
There, il a similar discrepancy on many
other commodities. Outside manufac-
tureIs and commercial concerns have
for sHme time been lighting Iowa rates,
claimling that these rates placed them
1t . tdisadvantage as compared to Iowa
eom8anies in the conduct Of their BUSH
Hess and that the lower rates were
ther4 lorc discriminatory.
That government ownership Of rail-
foadS - sure to be a political Issue IN
the future, and campaigns. especially
for congress or members Of the United
States senate, are to be made on that
tss4e In generally recognized. AT the
same time 1t is being predicted that-the
maxaa8eanent of the roads by the gov
erntnent will not be conducive to any
goHernment ownership program as II
viii become apparent that the roads
arc not so well managed as under pri-
va4e ownership. II freight rates should
BE Increased and other changes made
Undressing the cost Of shipping or
travel the people will oppose govern
mdnt ownership.
The price Of coal in Des Moines has
just been raised to 1915 per ton by the
government in the face Of the fact that
the retail dealers were not asking
moro than $3.50 and the local fuel
gcs,mmittee had exercised its supposed
authority and fixed the price at $5.lo
delivered
y nalisves Control Here to Stay.
Fred Sargent, attorney for the Rock
Island. who returned to Des Moines
Friday from attending a conference OF
railroad heads in Chicago, declares
that government control Of railroads is
here TO stay.
III we do not have continuous rail-
road operation after the war believe
We will have exclusive federal control,
thus obviating conflicting and ex-
pensive regulations in various states,
4 Mr.. Sargent said in an interview, here.
He does not expect any immediate in-
crease in passenger rates but does pre-
dict a moderate increase In freight
rates. He declares such increases are
imperative II the government Is to
guarantee the earnings Of the railroads
without making appropriations.
The Rock island attorney says that
the old doctrine Of states rights must
now be abandoned as applied to COM
mon carriers. This would do away with
state railroad commissions and Is one
Of the things the railroads have been
ngAting for.
IN my Judgment the time has come
when We should all agree that COM
petition between common carriers and
i a. between large industrial enterprises
which are able to so organize as 10
control the output Of any particular
commodity Is dead" he said. II fur
fher believe that great economy will
4 result by reason Of federal railroad
control. Earnings and equipment Will
he pooled. Unnecessary trains and
equipment will be diverted to other
lines where they are needed"