Republican farmer., 1918-05-31

It is estimated that the program will bring between $500, 100000 and $500, ,00o, 900 more revenue to the railroads within the next year. It represents by far the biggest rate in crease in the history of railroads.
 The new freight charges, which cover both class and commodity rates. become effective June 25, and the |, passenger 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 low CT rates effective on either freight or passenger traffic.
 Travellers in standard sleeping and parlor cars are required to pay 1-2 cents a mile in addition to Pullman fares and in tourist sleeping cars 3 1-4 cents. Pullman rates remain unchanged.
 Communication and other suburban rates on railroads are increased 10 per cent. Fares on electric interur- ban lines are not affected.
 Special excursion, mileage, conven- ton and tourist rates, with a few ex- captions, 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 ar , to be raised proportionately with the general increases.
 Export and import freight rates are ordered cancelled and the higher do- mestic rates will apply to and from ports.
 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.
 Existing differentials and rate re- lationships between various localities are to be preserved so far as possi- ble but many adjustments will have to be made later. All rates are sub iect to review and correction by ths interstate commerce commission.
 The increases, MT. McAdoo ex- plained, were caused by the greater operating expenses and higher cost of materials over last year. The op- erating expenses, he estimated, would be higher this year by between $s3O, 0O0,0 600 and s860, 100000.
 Tt is earnestly hoped" said the di- rector general, that all citizens af- fected directly or indirectly by this increase of rates will support the general principle of such increase as unavoidable war measures and accept the additional burden in the same spirit of self sacrifice in which they have accepted other burdens, and the grievous personal losses which are part of the price that the nation is periodically paying for world Hb- erty."
 MT. McAdoo called attention to the fact that there is no way in which the present increases will inure to pri- vate profit"
 If they turn out to be more thar needed to meet the grave public ex igency," he addedd, they will prompt ly be readjusted so as to prevent an! unnecessary burden on the public but pending such readjustment th' excess, if any, will be for the bench of the people of the United States al a whsole and not for the benefit of thu private railroad owners of any 0 them.
 ''To the extent that savings can b. effected and to the extent that re duced prices for the things the rail roads must buy can be realized, it vii be the purpose of the director genera to make from time to-time appropr1 ate reductions"
 The provisions that interstate rate shall be abolished wherever suostl tute interstate rates between the sam points exist, and that all shall !arised to a standard national leVe develops the first definite conflict De tween powers of the federal ra1lroa administration and of the state ral road and public utility commisslon which heretofore have claimed eNclu sive Jurisdiction over intrastate rate' Railroad rate agents will file tarln containing the new rates with sta' commissions as well as the intersta' commerce commission, but state con missions are allowed no review unde \ the railroad act.
 MT. McAdoo announced that he e pects the Interstate Commerce Con mission to review many of the ne schedules on complaint of shippe or other commercial interests ar changes will be made on the comml sion's recommendations. This necessary to readjust the nationwlt fabric of complicated rates, each il tsrdependent, of scores of others, al so delicately adjusted in hundreds thousands of cases that change cent or two causes distinct indu trial and commercial disturbance The commission probably will
 busy for months hearing complain and protests.
 Passenger fares in some sparse settled regions now more than thr cents will not be reduced. Althou excursion and tourist fares are abt ished, the order permits the re-esta lishment of round trip tourist fa1 somewhat lower than the three ce rate.
 Exceptions to the three cent rs are made for soldiers and sailo who may travel at one cent mi when on furlough, at their own { pense, and for persons attending national encampment of the G. A.
 in Portland, Ore, and the Unit Confederate Veterans reunion in T sa. Okla. Both of these organizatic are permitted rates of one cent mile and for various state meetiI of the veterans two cents will
 charged.
 Children under five years of : will be carried free as at present a
 those between and 12 will be cha fb@d half of the new higher fare