The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1917-07-05

washington, July 2-Railroads of
the country are generally in flourish
Ing condition and not dependent on
freight rate increase for continued
prosperity, the Interstate Commerce
commission holds in it's decision deny
ing the roads application for a Is per
cent advance in rates.
Although refusing general relief the
commission indicated its willingness
to increase lass rates in the eastern
district approximately Ia per cent.
This virtually allows eastern carriers
about 4 per cent in gross freight w
nue., as aho one-fourth of the freight
handled is moved under class rates. All
roads are to be allowed a Is per cent
Increase on coal, coke and iron.
The opinion intimated that a rehear-
Ing would be Of no value at this time,
but said that relief will be granted
within the next few months il the car
rlers meet adverse conditions.
Washington. D. q. June so.eThe de-
cision OF the Interstate Commerce.
commission denying the plea of the
railroads Of the country for, Il horizon
tai increase of Is per cent in freight
rates will be accepted by the country.
It is believed here, as a fairly s%atisfac-
tory finding. While it is sure to be
condemned in railroad circles. n de-
cision to make a sweeping increase
such as demanded by the roads. would
have involved u hardship to ship
pers and to%the public. Moreover. it
is to be borne in mind that while the
railroads. have not by any means got
what they asked they have secured
material increases of an important
sort. This applies especially to the
eastern roads, the commission being
willing to allow class rates in the east
ern district to be increased about IA
per cent
Increases on coal. coke and grain will
be granted. The result of the finding
will be a substantial addition to the
of tho roads n this at 2
time when the business of the roads is
enormous.
Furthermore. it is to be remembered,
that as a general proposition once rates
are showed upward they remain at the
advanced figure. Shippers and the
public find it practically impossible to
beat them down.
(, The decision. on the whole, will find
approval in congress, thoughAthat body
is by no means unanimous. There wa.
intense oppo,:ition to a sweeping Is per
cent increase.
The decision Will tend to relieve the
Interstate Commerce commission from
the charge that has been freely leFeled
at it since the decisions in the former
general advance rate case, of being a
N.~pro-railroad body. The commission is
about to be increased to nine members.
thus necessitating the appointment of
two new commissioners. There has been
a great deal of speculation here over
the temper Of the new men who would
be put on the commission and not a
little apprehension expressed in con-
gress lest me of pro-railroad bias be
put on.
4. Commissioned Harlan in a corcurrinE.
statement declared that should the next
few months show that the railroad
mems fears were well founded the com
mission would be ready to grant relief.
He also made a plea for better. equip
nent and service
Two Members Dissent.
Commissioner Meyer. dissenting in
part. disagreed With the commissions
holding that an emergency exists for
eastern railroads of such character as
to make it imperative to authorize even
the increased class rates sanctioned by
the majority. He stated that there Is
no. proof that the returns OF the car
riers Of the east FOE this year may not