Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-08-24
RATE HEARING
OPENS BEFORE
INDIANA BODY
Manufacturers Say r. r. Pc
gitiOn Calls for Discrimina-
sorry Tariffs.
SLAP IS GIVEN SERVICE

Representatives of manufacturers and
dealers in thirteen commodities in In
Diana appeared yesterday before the pub
Ii cservice commission to protest against
discriminatory rates which they claim
would be brought about by the grant
ing of the petition of the thirty-ore
railroads operating in the state, for in
creased freight and passenger rates
equal to those granted recently by the
Interstate commerce commission.
The industries represented at the
hearing are brick, print paper, limestone,
rain tile, sand. gravel, straw, straw
nd, COAL fertilizer, crushed stone,
milk and cream.
representatives. of the Indiana State
kamber of Commerce, the chambers of
I commerce of many cities of the state, as
well as attorneys for the various rail-
road companies, were present.
The hearing is being conducted in the
senate chamber.
Previous to the taking Of testimony
representatives of the varions industries,
at the suggestion of Commissioner e.
l. Lewis, outlined the position they would
take in the case, and gave a resume Of
their reasons for their stand.
The position of the railroads was pre-
sented to the commission by n. S. Brown,
attorney for the carriers who said all
carriers in Indiana were petitiOning for
increases in rates similar to those grant
ed by the federal body.
WILL WORK AGAINST
DISCRIMINATION.
R. 3. Coapstick, representing the state
chamber Of commerce, said that, while
that organization was not protesting
against increased rates for the roads, it
rsrr1fr ion
against Indiana industries.
1--WE will prove" said Mr.. Coopstick,
that a 10 per cent increase in interstate
rates in those states surrounding In
diana will still leave their rates lower
than the present rate in Indiana on
many industries"
Charles c. Stewart. Indianapolis, rep
resenting the box board and fertilizer
interests, declared it was his opinion
that the railroads should not apply in
Indiana for increased rates until their
service was improved.
81 think it is the opinion of all persons
interested in this case that the principal
objection to the rate increases is because
of their inability to get any sort of
service from the carriers" said Mr..
Stewart.
1T think the roads should improve their
service, then apply for increases"
- Mr. Stewart told of the trouble exper-
fenced by manufacturers in obtaining
cars.
In presenting his appearance for the
Fl. Wayne Chamber of Commerce, H E.
Fairweather, Fl. Wayne, made a plea for
uniformity in rate advances in each OF
the railroad territories.
EMPHASIZES TORTURE
SUFFERED INPAST.
1--WE do not oppose fatty the increases
for the roads, said Mr.. Fairwesther,
''hut we ask the commission to keep In
mind the torture Indiana has had in
the past, in comparison with the stu
alton. in Illinois,"
Removal of all inequalities in tariffs
60 place the rates on products Of Indi-
ana companies on a parity with those
OF Illinois was TO form the bases of the
protest entered by G.. Z. Luckett. Craw-
louisville, representing the brick manu-
| featuring interests of Indiana
Other representations were entered for
the Anderson Chamber of Commerce, and
a special committee of the gas belt, pro-
testing against discrimination in coal
rates; s. s. Shambaugh, KOkomo rep
resenting the Kokomo Steel and Wire
Company, protesting coal and limestone
lates. and J. Z. Randall, Indianapolis
representing the drain tile interests.
II. r. Kurrie, president Of the Monon
railroad, was the first witness
In a long typewriter statement Mr.
Curry presented many figures relative 10
cost and difficulties encountered by rail-
road operation before, during and since
the war.
~ The statement also dealt with facts of
railroad operation under federal control,
and outlined the reasons why the in
creased rates were necessary in intrastate
transportation.
Prior to the entry of the United States
into the world war this country had the
most economical and efficient transporta-
ton machine the world ever knew" said
Mr.. Kurrie.
He said that, under federal control,
brought about by the necessity of con
centrated shipping, u move war ma
terisls much freight was excluded from
transportation
The yearly wage Of the. average rail-
way employe, Mr.. Kurrie said, in 1917,
was S1.004
In 1920 before the new rates wo~e
applied, the average earning was 81 ,5s7,
and since that time, he declared. It has
jumped to approximately $500.
Right here 1 wish to say there is
now not only a need for more revenue
for the railroads, but there also is a
decided need for prompt action" said
Mr.. Kurrie.
1.-The railroads go back 70 private
ownership and control on Sept. 1, and
In the next three to four months these
roads will establish the base for their
credit for operation during the first
year of private control.
'AlI other matters, such as these pro-
tests entered here today. arc beside the
question" declared Mr.. Kurrie
eff these increases are granted as the
railroads request, then the roads will
handle, in an appreciate way, all stu
ations now confronting them and the
public"
Mr. Kurrie also told of the difficult
ties encountered by the carriers, due to
he holding of cars by shippers, stating
w hat on the Monon one car in eleven is
81 etained by shippers FIVE days or more
- Bad orders also, he declared, increase
the difficulties of railroad operation,
not only on the Monon but on other
roads.