The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-06-30
Contention They Are Victims
of War Prices Get Scant
Sympathy.
INCREASES PUT OFF
UNTIL OCTOBER %
Higher Tariffs on Coke, Coal
and Iron Ore Are to Be
Granted.
BY Associated Press.

Washington June 29.-The inter.
state commerce commission today de-
MED the plea of the railroads OF the
United states for q horizontal in
crease of l5 per cent in freight rates.
In it's decision the commission in
dicatcd q Willingness to increase class
rates in the eastern district approxi-
mately II per cent. Since about one
fourth OF the freight handled Is moved
under class rates, the decision virtu-
ally allows the eastern lines about
per cent increase in gross freight rev
cnuc. Increases sought in rates on
coal, coke and iron ore will be granted.
They found as a result of the eN-
tended hearings that the carriers gen.
orally show II substantial and increas-
ing financial prosperity and that they
have ample resources with which To
conduct transportation.
Get Little Sympathy.
Little sympathy was given the ar
eumcnts of the roads that they were
victims of war prices. the commission
holding that the carriers have proflt-
ed by the mobilization of troops.
The commission suspended the pro-
posed tariffs until october Is. but 1t
indicated that no rchearing of the case
will be of value at this time, and sug-
gestcd cancellation of tho tariffs.
The commission finds that tho
| gloomy forecasts of icopardized In
comes, seen by railroad officials early
! in 1917, have not been borne out ny
| the figures available for later months.
The proceedings We're brought in
March when the returns from Febru-
AIRY were just being made. February
| was one of the worst months In rail-
| road history. The subsequent months
| have shown increasing revenues, while
: expenses have, In many cases, failed
| to mount to the extent the carrier
| officials feared.
| Roads Comparisons Unfair.
{ The decision points out that the
| carriers compa risons have been made
| largely with those of 1916, which was
| the banner year in railroad earnings,
and adds that the 1917 income might
be considerably diminished without
necessarily indicating a danger point
In earnings.
Commissioner Harlan in a concur
ring statement declared that should
the next few months show that tho
| railroad mems fears were well found
ed the commission would be ready to
grant relief. He also made plea for
better equipment and service.
Mayer Dissents in Part.
| Commissioner Mayer. dissenting in
part, disagreed with the commissions
holding that an emergency exists FOR
eastern railroads of such character as
to make 1T Imperative to authorize
even the increased class rates sane
toned by the majority. He stated that
there is no proof that the returns or
the carriers of the east for this year
may not be more favorable than the
net returns for all but II small number
of years in their entire history.
Relief in Government Control.
Commissioner McGhord, also dis
senting urged that tho commission re-
port to congress the essential facts
| disclosed and ask that an investiga-
tion be made to determine whether
prices demanded of the carriers Tor
fuel and supplies are reasonable under
present conditions. He also intimated
, that government control of these com
moditcs might afford relief.
, The commission found in general
!, that the effects of the Adamson g.
, hour basic day and of the increased
cost of fuel, supplies and materials had
not affected the southern and western
, carriers as greatly as 1t affected the
, eastern carriers.