Evening journal., 1920-10-09
STATE COMMISSIONS PREVENTING ADVANCES IN
STATE RA1ES.

T,AILURE OF the State railroad and public utility COM
missions to authorize advances in State freight and
passenger charges corresponding TO those authorized by
the Interstate Commerce Commission in interstate freight
and passenger rates causing fagran determinations
In rates and threatening TO prevent the railways from
getting the in earnings which they need accord
ing to editorial the issue OF the Railway Age
When the Interstate Commerce Commission began con-
sderaton the carriers applications for increased rates
says the Railway Age the National Association Of Railway
and Utilities Commissioners composed OF the members OF
the Stale regulatory commissions appointed three repre-
senatves to sit with the commission and formulate rec
concentrations TO the various State commissions. On July
81 the commission It's decision and the three
authorized representatives OF the State commissioners
association issued formal statement recommending the
granting Of rates State freight and passenger traffic
corresponding with those fixed by the Interstate Com
merce Commission on interstate traffic.
What has been the result? OF S6 State commissions by
which action has so far been reported. only 10 have
granted in State freight rates corresponding
with the Increases granted by the Interstate Commerce
Commission in the same territory. Seven State com
missions have granted corresponding State freight rate
increses but have denied modified the Increases on
many commodities. Six commissions have allowed the
TO file tariffs and place the new rates In effect
subject to review upon complaint One commission has
denied the carriers applications upon technical grounds
TWO commissions, both in territory in which an inter
state regh increase Of 30 per cent has been made have
granted Stale increases OF 80 i3 per cent and another
commission in he same territory has granted state in
crease OF but % per cent
In regard the increases in passenger fares i6 STATE
commissions have allowed advances State rates cor
responding the Interstate advances 70 have denied ap
pcatohs for Increase have allowed tariffs to be flee
and the rates placed effect subject to review and on
has denied the application for advances on technica
grounds
paVa nGrfllo
ton by State commissions OF the increases allowed by th
Interstate Commerce Commission In excess baggage rate
and milk and cream rates and It's allowance Of surcharge
on sleeping and parlor rates.
The result OF this chaotic condition has been The esiab
lshment OF nagran rate determinations throughout u
country. For instance, shipper in Council Bluffs Iowa
has markets within the state Of Nebraska His freish
rate to those markets being interstate, has been in
creased 35 per cent by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission The shipper Of a similar commodity located
Omaha Neb. across the Missouri river from Council
Bluffs can ship to the same market at an Increase
only % per cent because the Nebraska commission ma
granted an increase in rates Of only that amount Tn
same condition prevails at many points throughout ul
West
In regard 20 passenger traffic. ihe PASSENGER fare iron
Chicago to St. Louis Mo, is SO cents per mile in ac
cordance with the ruling Of the Interstate Commerc
Commission The fare from Chicago 10 East ST. Louis
W Just across the Missouri River is but cents per mil
in accordance with the ruling OF the Illinois commission
The surcharge on Pullman and parlor car fares cmnt
be collected on the latter trip whereas it can on the torme
Such conditions cannot continue to exist without null
fyng the attempt OF the Interstate Commerce Commssio
To grant the railroads adequate revenues with which
restore their properties and render satisfactory servc
The percentage allowed by the commission we
based on total figures all roads in each group the
include OF course. figures for State traffic. II part
the traffic TO be carried at different and lower rate
hot KnfIU nTr
will fall short OF the estimates Of the commission, al
will fail to accomplish It's object Of putting the ralroa
on their feet financially. II the Ctate commissions
to he allowed to prevent the railways from earning ad
qsate net returns they will defeat all the efforts wh
, have been made by Congress and who are now bell
made by the Interstate Commerc Commission to deal WI
and solve the railroad problem as national problem