Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-06-05
BIG INCREASE IN
RAIL RATES MADE
Freight Tariffs Are Raised rs
Per Cent by McAdoo.
PASSENGER FARES UP ALSO
Order of Director General Follows
Closely After Granting of Pay
Raise to 100000 Employ
ees of Roads.


es just announced, and higher costs o.
coal and other supplies this year Di
rector General McAdoo has ordered
railroad freight rates in the United
States raised % per cent and passenger
fares increased TO 3 cents mile from
the present basis of about 215 cents
1t is estimated that the program will
bring between SS00,000OO0 and 5000,
100000 more revenues to the railroads
within the next year. 1t represents
by far the biggest rate increase in the
history of railroads.
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
the order wipes out all interstate lower
rates effective on either freight or pas
senger traffic.
Travellers in standard sleeping and
parlor cars are required to pay 31a
cents 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 interurban
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.
Export and import freight rates are
ordered cancelled and the higher do
nestle rates will apply to and from
ports.
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.
Coal Costs S16o,ooO,o 600 More.
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 160,000,000
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 SS30,0O0,000 and $4,000, 900
greater this year than the s., S52 ,O0O,-
900 figure of last year.
No part of the increased rates is on
account of the program of nearly
billion dollars of improvements, addi-
tons and new equipment this year, he
explained.
1t 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-
cepted 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"
Mr.. McAdoo called attention to the
fact that there is no way in which the
present increases will lure to private
profit"
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 IN
necessary burden upon the public, but
pending such REIMBURSEMENT, the ex-
cess, if any, will be for the benefit of
the people of the United States as
whole and not for the benefit of the
private railroad owners of any of them.
TO the extent that savings can be
effected and to the extent that re-
duced prices for the things the rail-
roads must buy can be realized, 1t will
w bAf PNA pC1N VI lliC Allt NAbI general
To make from time to time appropriate
reductions"
The provision that interstate rates
shall be abolished wherever substi-
tute interstate rates between the
same points exist and that all shall be
raised to standard national level, de-
velops the first definite conflict be-
tween powers OF the federal rail
road administration and of the state
railroad and public utilities commits
siOns which, heretofore have claimed
exclusive jurisdiction over inter
state rates. Railroad rate agents
win file tariffs containing the new
rates with state commissions as well
as win the interstate commerce COM
mission, but state commissions are per-
mitted no review under the railroad
act.
Low Rate fer Veterans.
Exceptions TO the three-cent rate are
made for soldiers and sailors. who
may travel at one cent mile when
on furlough at their own expense and
Tor persons attending the national en-