New-York tribune., 1920-08-18
cost of living" as much as individuals.
Mr.. Willard detailed the proceedings
before the Interstate Commerce Com

cost of living" as much as individuals.
Mr.. Willard detailed the proceedings
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
under which the railroads operated in
1916 and at present, his evidence being
substantially theN same as given before
the Washington commission. The actual
deficit for the first four months was
estimated at $59,000,000 in operating
expenses and taxes. Labor, he said,
had increased 102 per cent since 1916,
coal 102 per cent and other materials
about 100 per cent, while the increase
in freight rates had been SO per cent.
Based on present rates and with the
recent wage award, Mr.. Willard indi-
Gated deficit of $549,O0O,00o in 1920
instead Of surplus for the roads in
the Eastern district in 1916 of
s43S,000,0 900.
Revenues estimated were $S25, 1000, 900
and expenses $997,000,0O0, and the de-
ficiency, Mr.. Willard said, must be met
by the railroads in the district in bet
ter operating methods. About 500 per
cent of the roads freight business was
interstate, he said, and about 20 per
cent intrastate. Mr.. Willard argued
for a proper readJussment of freight
rates to other states, saying that if
greater than the through rates
1T is simply a case OF higher cost
of living among the railroads than
among individuals, said Mr. Willard
He urged immediate consideration of
the effectiveness of the new rates,
stating that if the roads did not re-
celve proper return after September
l, many would be insolvent.
Equipment Needed
Mr.. Willard said many roads were
iradequately equipped as the result of
the war and steps were now under way
to bring the roads up to more eff
eient state with the cooperation of the
public. Additional equipment, he said,
was needed for bctterment of the serv-
ice. He said the Eastern district roads
should spend from S60O,000, 900 to
$1,000 900 600 if the people are to have
adequate transportation facilities. He
also dwelt on the necessity OF the
roads for additional financing
Nothing will do as much to bring
down the high cost of living" said Mr..
Willard, as increased rates and in
creased revenut to the steam carriers.
Labor, he said, has been rewarded. but
capital has been working for nothing
At the suggestion BY Chairman
NH"i iSo Illll tuelc WIS Il conference
between Mir. Paulding and the other
carriers attorneys. and it was stipu-
lated by the railroads that the appli-
cations were made without prejudice to
the right of the commission in case it
grants an order to file rates on. COM
plaint or by the commissions own mo-
ton for investigations.
NJ. F. Fertig, assistant corporation
counsel of New York City, asked that
the commission defer the making of an
order on the applications covering
freight and passenger rates affecting
residents Of New York City until an
investigation could be made by the city
authorities. He argued that because
the Interstate Commerce Commission
has made an order that the commission
the increase where it was shown that
it was necessary to get increased rev.
enue. He said the question was vital
to residents of New York and asked for
an opportunity to look into the rail
roads applications so far as they re-
lated to Long Island and certain New
York committing travel.
f. W. Brown, representing the State
Highway Commission, asked that all
rates affecting highway Improvement
be postponed because of the failure of
the carriers. TO make deliveries to road
contractors. Chairman H ii said it
would be impossible to hear the merits
OF any particular complaint at present,
but under the stipulation he told Mr..
Brown there would be protection for
certain cases