The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-27
BOOST
IN R,.R.
TARIFFS
UP co RAILROAD
RATES TO MEET
COST INCREASE
Freight Rates Up 25 Per Cent,
Effective June %.
Passenger Rate Will Be Three
Cents After June 10.
Pull man RATES The SAME
But Standard Sleeping and Par
Ior Car Rates Go Up.
Special Privileges, Such as
Stopovers, To Be Abolished.
NO PRIVATE PROFIT IN IT
Reduction in Rates viii Follow
Too Great Returns.
Wheat Rate Will Go Up 25 Per
Cent With Rest.
ONE CENT RATE FOR SOLDIERS
/. c. c. VIII Have Power To
Review All Cases.
Many New Readiustments Will
Be Required.
Reduction in Rates Will Follow
Too Great Returns.
Wheat Rate Will Go Up 25 Per
Cent With Rest.
ONE CENT RATE FOR SOLDIERS
/. c. C.. Will Have Power Tt
Review All Cases.
Many New Readiustments Will
Be Required. -

washington, May 2T.-TO meet
wage increases just announced, and
higher costs of coal and other sup
plies this year, Director General Nc
Adoo today ordered railroad freight
rates in the United States raised 25
per cent and passenger fares increased
to three cents a mile from the present
basis of about 2k cents.
1t is estimated that the program will
bring between $S00,000.000 and $780,
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 COW
er both class and commodity rates be-
come effective June rs, and the pas
senger increase will go into effect June
10.
Issued under authority granted by
the railroad act to President Wilson
acting thru the director general, the
order wipes out all intrastate lower
rates effective on either freight or
passenger traffic.
Sleeper Rates Higher Still.
Travellers in standard sleeping and
parlor cars are required to pay 8 "
cents a mile in addition to Pullman
fares and in tourist sleeping cars 8 Il
cents.
Pullman rates remain the same
Communication and other suburban
rates on railroads are increased ten
per cent, Fares on electric interurban
lines are not affected.
Special excursion, mileage, conven-
tion and tourist rates with few ex-
ceptions, are discontinued, privileges
such as stop-overs and free side trips
are abolished and excess baggage
charges increased.
Both freight and passenger rates on
boat lines operated on the lakes, riv-
ers, or coastwise by railroads are to
be raised proportionately with the
general increases.
Many Re-adjustments.
Export and import freight rates are
ordered cancelled and the higher do
mestic rates will apply to and from
ports.
A number of flat increases. instead
of percentage additions are ordered
for coal. coke, lumber. ore. stone
grain, cotton, livestock, meats, sugar
bullion and other commodities.
Existing differentials and rate re-
lationships between various localities
are to be preserved so far as possible
be made later. All rates are subject
to review by the Interstate Commerce
commission but the president has
final authority.
To Meet Higher Costs.
In announcing that the rate in
creases are required by public interest,
Director General McAdoo referred to
the $500, 100000 or more added to the
pay rolls of railroad labor under an
order published today. to the rapidly
rising cost of coal which he estimated
this year alone at s16O.000,000 more
than last year and to higher cost OF
every other material entering to rail-
road transportation. Operating eX.
penses, he estimated, would be be-
tween sS30,000.000 and SS60.000,00C
greater this year than the $2,S52, ,000,-
600 figure of last year.
No part of the increased rates is or
account of the program of nearly a
billion dollars of improvements, ad-
ditions and new equipment this year
he explained.
ut is earnestly hoped" said the di.
rector general, that all citizens af.
fected directly or indirectly by thi.
increase of rates will support the gen
eral principle OF such increase as az
unavoidable war measure and accep
the additional burden in the sam,
spirit of self-sacrifice in which the,
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