Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1918-06-05
BIG INCREASE IN RAILROAD RATES
pUTINTO EFFECT BY M'ADOO ORDER
Freight Tariffs Are Advanced rs Per Cent and Passenger
Fares Are Boosted eFih-Action Follows Granting of
Hiqher Wages to Nearly 100000 Rail Workers.

WaShington.-To meet higher costs
Of labor and supplies, Director General
McAdoo has ordered what is by far
the greatest increase in railroad freight
and passenger rates ever known in the
history of railroads. Freight rates are
to be raised approximately 25 per cent
and passenger fares from the present
mile-an increase of 20 per cent. 1t
Is estimated that the new rates will
add between $SO0,0O0,000 and 5000, 0OO,-
900 to the revenue Of the railroads dur
ing the next year.
The new freight charges, which
cover both class and commodity rates
become effective June % and the pas
senger increase will go into effect June
10.
Issued under authority granted by
the railroad act to President Wilson
acting through the director general,
rates effective on either freight or pas
senger traffic.
Travellers in standard sleeping and
parlor cars are required to pay 31a
cents a mile in addition to Pullman
fares and in tourist sleeping cars 3A
cents. Pullman rates remain the same.
Communication and other suburban
rates on railroads are increased 10 per
cent. Fares on electric int2rurban
lines are not affected.
Special Rates Abolished.
Special excursion, mileage conven-
ton and tourist rates, with few ex-
ceptions, are discontinued, privileges
such as stop-overs and free side trips
are abolished and excess baggage
charges are increased.
Both freight and passenger rates on
boat lines operated on the lakes, rivers
or coastwise by railroads are to be
raised proportionately with the gener-
al increases.
A number of fiat increases, instead
of percentage additions, are ordered
for coal, coke, lumber, ore, stone, grain,
cotton, live stock, meats, sugar, bullion
and other commodities.
In announcing that the rate increases
are required by public interest, Direc-
tor General McAdoo referred to the
rapidly rising cost of coal, which he es-
timated this year alone at $16O,OOO,OOO
more than last year, and to higher cost
of every other material entering into
railroad transportation. Operating ex-
penses, he estimated, would be be-
tween $S3OO0O,000 and $S6O,0OO,OOO
greater this year than the $2,S52OOO,-
900 figure of last year.
No part of the increased rates is on
account of the program of nearly a
billion dollars of improvements, addi-
lions and new equipment this year, he
explained.
ct is earnestly hoped" said the di-
rector general, that all citizens affect
ed directly or indirectly by this increase
of rates will support the general prin-
ciple of such increase as an unavoid-
able war measure and accept the adj
ditiOnal burden in the same spirit of
self-sacrifice in which they have ac-
copied other inconvenience and bur-
dens and the grievous personal losses
which are part of the price that the
nation is periodically paying for world
liberty"
Profits Go Back to People.
IF they turn out to be more than are
needed to meet the grave public ext
gency," he added, 'they will promptly
be readjusted so as to prevent any un-