The Winslow mail., 1920-07-16
INCREASE IN ALL FREIGHT
RATES WITHIN 80 DAYS

r. A. Jones, memDer OF the state
Corporation Commission, returned
from a trip to Washington, were he
appeared before the interstate COM
merce commission at the hearing on
the general horizontal percentage in
crease in freight rates asked by the
railroads. Mr.. Jones stated that he
did not believe there would be deci
sion before another month. 1t was
the concensus of opinion among those
who followed the testimony that e all
probability an increase would be
granted but not in the amount sought
said Mr.. Jones. One of the disputed
points among the shippers them
selves was whether a percentage In
crease alike on all traffic should be
granted The increase in this terri
tory will be "a per cent If the rail-
roads application is granted.
The manufacturing interests in all
the large cities were represented,
while among other interests were the
citrus growers Of California who ship
$4,000 cars a year; the lumber inter-
ests Of the northwest; the iron ore
shippers Of Michigan. The cement
manufacturers and the coal produc-
ers contended that the increase ask
ed would be disastrous. Instead Of a
percentage increase, they asked that
a definite increase be granted in or
der not to destroy any industry.
Objects to Blanket Increase
Mr.. Jones, on behalf Of Arizona. ap-
pealed for the definite increase poll
cy. Arizona, he said, was the largest
copper producing state in the Union,
the value being largely in big bodies
of ore of low grade. To produce and
reduce metal requires the importa-
tion of vast quantities of fuel-coal,
coke and Oil. and these commodities
have to be hauled an average of 500
miles at an average rate Of Sc ton.
The point taken by Mr.. Jones was
that 25 per cent increase might re-
suit in the closing down OF produc-
tion of low grade ore.
Mr.. Jones also called attention tc
the manufacturing OF products that
are shipped from the east. He con-
trasted the farmers of Iowa and 1lli-
nois, who are able to send 200 miles
for their heavy farm implements,
while in Arizona farmers send 1000
miles for their implements. making
the burden heavier here than else
where in this country. Mr.. Jones said
he was not adverse to treating the
railroads literally, but that in his op-
inion the limit has almost been reach
ed.
In Scent Fare Case
In connection with the Scent fare
rate case which will be heard In Los
Angeles in September. Mr.. Jones
stated that he took occasion to refer
to this matter at the hearing. This
came up in connectio with the claim
made by the railroads of the western
classification when claim was made
that the roads had made $352.S93,-
265 more revenue than they now are
earning annually to give the per
cent return on property invested, au-
thorized by recent act of congress-
Arizona Is paying 4, 5 and 6 cents
mile, declared Mr.. Jones. who said
that if all the roads in the western
territory collected 3 cents and no
more, the increase of the par value
would be s60.507542. Many roads
are collecting less than cents per
cents per mile was in effect the roads
would make 104,9O5, 900 more year
and not take all the burden on the
freight.
Mr.. Jones also appeared for the
state in Chicago, where oral argu-
ments were heard in the graded rate
case which as been submitted and
in which a decision will be handed
down in August. San Francisco, Port
land and Seattle opposed Arizona in
it's plea for relief from paying higher
freight rates than in effect at other
points. Mr.. Jones made an impress
sion when he emphasized the point
that freight rates were higher from
Los Angeles to Phoenix than from
Los Angeles through Phoenix to ST.
Paul.
Mr.. Jones, who has worked inde-
fatigably during the past year. will
take an extended vacation. He hopes
to be able to "clear his desk" within
ao,xt f,xxx L. l.. 4