Albuquerque morning journal., 1920-08-01
MILLIONS ADDED
To EXPENSES Of
j. s. CITIZENS
BY RATE RULING
Decision of |. C. C. Will
Boost the Rail Revenues
About $1,400,000, 900
Annually, it Is Estimated
TOTAL AWARDED LESS
THAN WAS ASKED FOR
CoastWise Steamship Lines
and Electric Lines Are
Also Given Permission to
Make Increases

tbT MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED Wisel
Washington, July 31.-Increases
In freight, passenger. Pullman and
other railroad rates approximating
an unofficial estimate of $l,40O,-
100000 were approved today by
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, effective upon five days
notice by the carriers to the COM
mission and the public.
This total is about $200,000,00O
less than the amount for which the
railroads asked to absorb the
5000, 100000 wage award by the
railroad labor board and to bring
their net income to the 6 per cent
provided for in the transportation
act.
The freight increase total is es-
timated at $1,134, 100000 on the
basis Of per cent of the SlS.SO0,-
100000 placed by the commission
on the properties of all the roads
The increase of 40 per cent in the
east is estimated to yield approxi-
mately $750,000,00 The rs per
cent granted southern roads is
estimated to yield about 100000
600 while the western and noun
tain-9acific roads will get an m
creased return of about $2S4,0O0,-
900 on freight rates
Nothing Will Escape.
To the increase of 81 ,ouV
to the nations freight bill will be
added an increase In passenger
+ rates aggregating s233,S27,9S2; an
increase in Pullman rates aggre-
eating s43,63s.344; an advance in
excess baggage rates approximat-
4 ing $1,420.s99 and an advance In
milk rates of about $5,000,0O0.
The increases granted are de-
signed to give the roads net IN
come of " per cent on their val
uation and an additional s of. ]
per cent to make what the com
mission described as appropriate
provision for additional improve
ments, betterments or equipment
of a character chargeable to capi-
tai account"
Coastwise steamship lines were
authorized to increase their freight
rates ITO the same extent as herein
granted the railroads operating be-
tween the same points or in the
same territory"
The commission also gave elec-
tric railway lines permission to in
crease their freight rates by the
same percentages as approved for
trunk lines in the same territory.
The commission added this was
mot to be construed as an express
sion of disapproval of increases,
made or proposed in the regular
manner, in the passenger fares OF
electric lines.'
Specia1 Service Included.
In their original application the
roads divided the country into
eastern, western and southern.
They asked freight rate increases
of 1915 for the eastern, 32.03 for
the western and 1891 for the
southern. The commission divided
the western group into the western
and the mountain-P Pacific. the lat
ter taking in the territory lying be-
tween the Pacific coast and the
eastern base Of the Rocky noun
tais.
The commission also applied the
general increase to all special Serv-
ices. 1t explained that the rail-
roads had not included this provi-
sion In its proposal, but stated this
was due to a misunderstanding. 1t.
therefore, authorized the increases
to apply to switching. weighing,
diversion. reconsignment. lighter
age, floatage and transfer and any
other such separate charges as
may be made against the shippers
As to prevailing rates on COM
modities transported under special
- dee orro uernoptS tho comuis-
sion ordered that the general in
creases should be added to the
present charges. This will include
rates on such individual commodi-
ties as coal, lumber, cement, fruits
and vegetables, petroleum, brick
and other building materials. live
stock, packing house products, ore
and fertilizers.