Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-05-27
BOOST BOTH
FREIGHT AND
Train FARES
Will Charge Three Cents a
Mile After June 10
Under New Plan.

Washington, May 27.-TO meet
wage increases just announced, and
higher costs of coal and other sup
plies this year, Director General
McAdoO today ordered railroad
freight rates in the United States
increased % per cent and passen-
ger rates increased to cents a
mile from the present basis of 2ha
cents. 1t is estimated that the pro-
gram will bring between $500, ,000,-
600 and $500, 600 900 more revenue
to the railroads within the next
year. 1t represents by far the big
gest rate increase in the history Of
the railroads.
The new freight changes which
cover both class and commodity
rates become effective June % and
thep assenger 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 in
trastate low rates effective on rate
or passenger traffic.
Extra for ParlOr Cars.
Travellers in standard sleeping
and parIor cars are required to
to Pullman and in tourist sleep
ing cars 314 cents. Pullman rates
remain the same.
Communication and other subur-'
ban rates on railroads are in
creased 10 per cent. Fares on cleo
tric interurban lines are not af-
fected.
Special excursion, mileage, con-
vention and tourist rates with a
few exceptions are discontinued.
Privileges such as stOp-overs and
free side trips are abolished and
excess baggage charges are in
cluded.
Both freight and passenger rates
on boat lines operated on the lakes,
rivers and coastwise by railroads
are to be raised propOrtiOnately
with the general increases. Export
and import freight rates are or
dered cancelled, and the higher
domestic rates will apply to and
from ports.
Flat Increase On Fuel
A number of fiat increases, in
stead of percentage additions, are
for coal, coke, lumber, ore,
stone, grain, cotton, livestock,
meats, sugar, bullion and other
commodities. Existing uiffeTen-
entails and rate relationships be-
tween various localities are TO be
preserved so far as possible but
many readjustments will have to
be made later. All rates are sub
iect to removal by the interstate
commerce commission.
Show Cause for Action.
In announcing that the rate in
creases are required by public in
terest, Director General McAdoo
referred TO the $500. 600, 900 or more
ldded to the payrolls of railroad
.abor under an order published to-
lay, to the rapidly rising cost of
coal. which he estimated this year !
alone at S16O0O0,000 more than |
asst year, and 10 higher cost of |
svery other material entering into |
-ailTOad transportation. Operat- [
ng expenses would be between I
$500, ,O00,0 900 and $3.50, 100000 great (
er this year than the $2,2S2 000, 900 .
igure OF last year.
No part of the increased rates is /
N account of the program Of nearly !
|. billion dollars of improvements /
mo new equipment this year, he
Asks Public Support i
1T is earnestly hoped" said the
lirector general, that all citizens
Effected directly or indirectly by
his increase in rates, will support
he general principle of such in
.rease as an unavoidable war meas
ire and accept the additional bur-
en in the same spirit of self-sacri-
Ice in which they have accepted
ither inconvenience and burdens
nd the grfeyous losses which are
,arts of the price that the nation is
,atriotically paying for world lib
rty."
MIR. McAdoo called attention to
the fact that there is no way in