Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-06-14
United States Railroad Administration:
w. G. McAdoo, Director General OF
Railroads.

| cost OF Otner rdllrO8Q ndterldi anu sup
Plies have likewise been enormous.
These increases have contributed in
evitably to the increased cost of living
which in turn has created demand for
increased wages for railroad employees.
This subject was exhaustively con-
sidered recently by the Railroad Wage
Commission. consisting of Messrs.
Franklin K. Lane. Charles c. McChord
J. Harry COnvingtOn and William K.
Wilcox. who have unanimously recon-
mended increases in wages which they
estimate will add to railroad operating
costs not less than $500, 600. 600 in the
year 1918. The Director General has
put the recommendation of the Wage
Commission into effect making
at the same time certain additional in
creases for some class of employees in
order to meet practical necessities
which cannot be escaped or postponed.
On account of these extraordinary in
creases in operating costs, which have
| come about as a consequence OF the
war, it is Estimated that for the same
aggregate business as to year, and un-
der the same condition except as to
prices, and wages. the operating ex-
penses for the calendar year 1918 will
be from $3.50, OOO, 600 to $3.50. .OO0, 900
more than for the calendar year 1917.
While these operating costs will be
subject to readjustments and may be
somewhat diminished, yet on the other
hand, because of the abnormal methods
| by which business must be conducted
to serve the needs of the war, they
may be substantially increased. 1t
seems clear that the railroads should
be made self sustaining and that suffi
cient revenues should be provided to
prevent them from becoming q burden
| 10 the Federal Treasury. The imme-
date practical necessity is that, with
out delay, increases in rates should be
made to provided for these increased
costs of operation. At best practically
half the year 1918 must elapse before
such increases in rates can he made
effective although increases in opera
ting expenses have been steadily effec-
tive since January 1st, 1918.
Therefore, by virtue OF the power.
during Federal control Of the railroads
which the Act Of Congress has con-
ferred upon the President to initiate
rates whenever the public interest re-
quires, which power, as provided IN
that Act. the President by Proclama-
ton has developed upon the Director
General the latter has been compelled,
| for the reasons stated, to initiate SUBJ
tantial increase in freight and pass
enger rates for practically all transer-
tation service performed by railroads
under Federal Control, including OF
course transportation services within
the several States as well as transport
alton service across State Lines. These
increases are made with the approval of
the president and are explained in detail
in the copy of order accompanying this
announcement. -,
The increases in passenger rates Will
become effective on the tenth day OF
June, 1918, and the increases in freight
rates will decome effective on the
twenty-fifth day of June, 1918. In
making the advance effective on the
date specified simple form of tariff
| authorized by the Interstate Commerce
Commission must be used and this will
lead to the temporary disregard to some
extent of established groupings and
idifferentials. But it is the intention to
observe such groupings and differen-
tials as far as practicable and here
after, with as much dispatch as possi-
BILE, restore any important relation
ships which may be for the time being
disturbed, and concurrently therewlth
endeavor to remove any existing dis
elimination and bring about uniformity
of rate adjustment throughout sections
where conditions are similar. The Act
| of Congress provides that the reason
abeness and business of such rates may
be dealt with by the Interstate Com
merce Commission, so that no interests
will be deprived of the opportunity for
| full hearing and consideration. The
Act of Congress provides that the Com
mission in passing upon these questions
shall take into consideration the Presi-
dents finding and certificate that in
order to defray the expense of Federal
Control ,and Operation it is necessary
to increase the railway operating reve-
nues In sthis connection, 1t is impor-
tant to make clear that no part of the
increase in rates now initiateu IS on ac-
count Of the making of additions or bet
terments or the purchase of new equip
ment or other expenditures chargeable
to Investment Account. The increases
initiated are solely on account of in
creased burdens to diminish railway
operating income. In the nature oil
things no such far reaching step car
accomplish ideal Equalization as be
tween the numerous interests necessary
aft ctad and doubtless the Commission
will find it proper to make readjustment'
to attain a nearer approach to sucf
equalization. While as far as practi
cable the rates as initiated are designed
to ravoid unnecessary disturbances Of
relative rate basis, the Director Genera
will cooperate heartily with the Com
mission in any readjustment needed II
accomplish still further the object o.
avoiding undue preference which never
theless may develop on determined
consideration by the Commission.
1t is earnestly hoped that all citizens
affected directly or indirectly by thi
increase Of rates will support the gen
eral principal of such increase as al
unavoidable war measure, and accep
the additional burden in the same spiri
of self-sacrifice in which they have &C
cepted other Inconvenience and bur
dens and the grievous personal losse
which were parts Of the price that tn
Nation is patriotically paying fo
world liberty in considering these in
creases, one vital distinction whicl