Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-01

operating income equal, rs nearly ms
may be. TO Il return OF l-2 per cent
upon the aggregate value for the
purposes OF this proceeding, OF the
railway property, OF such carriers
transportation and onc-haif of one
per cent in addition; Eastern group 40
per cent; Southern group p per cent {:
Western group 50 per cent, and Noun
tain Pacific group 20 per cent"
Text of Decision.
Tho decision Of the commission
which was unanimous, summed up as
follows
Most OF the factors with which wo
are dealing are constantly changing
II is impossible TO forecast with any
degree Of certainty what the volume
OF traffic Will be. The general price
level is changing from mont n to month
and from day TO day. 1t is impracti-
cable at this time To adjust all OF the
rates on individual commodities The
rates to be established on the basis
hcreinbcforc approved must neccssari-
~ be subject 10 such rcadjustmcnts as
the facts may warrant. 1t is con-
tended by tho carriers that rcadjust-
Inen's VIII lie necessary. II is expected
that shippers VIII take the matters
up in the firSt instance with the car
riers. and the latter will be expected
to deal promptly and cfrccticly there
with. TO the end that necessary read
Justments may be made in as many
peal to us"
Injects Political Issue.
Government operation Of the rail-
roads WAS brought into the rate ease
by Commissioner Eastman. who in AN
opinion in which Commissioner wool
ley concurred disapproved the method
used by the commission in arrivius;
Ht It's conclusions Ii;,s, COMMISSIONS
t.astmans position. declaring TINT he
"injccts into this case large political
questions of governmental policy
which arc nowhere in issue here
Commissioners Eastman expressed
regret that Federal control of the
roads was not permitted to cont, H.
:" east until after the rcadjuslmant
period
III was my hope" he said. 'rha:
Federal control might be continued
transition back to private operation
would create additional disturbances
IN time OF unsettlemcnt and unrest
mat existing railroad facilities could
10 made 10 do more work and me,
more nearly the transportation needs
OF the country under unified control
IMAM under the control of many sep
arate companies. that the additional
laciiiti"S which are so greatly ned
ed could now he provided more costly
ana more economically by public
IMAM by private capital and that lis-
turhanccs resulting from both ratio
Increases and labor difficulties could
be reduced To minimum II tho gov.
eminent retained direct respou Sihil-
ity for the roads"
McChord Makes Reply.
Commissioners McChorG. in his re-
The Congress has. for the sine
being. settled the question of gov
eminent operation of the railroads
by restoring them 10 private opera
non hinged around by comprehensive
laws, NpStlnly bFD.,l tn,
commission 10 regulate them. II is
me duty OF this commission 20 en-
force the law AS Congress- has writ
Ten IL. Tho questions involved in .his
case are so great and so vital 10 ;Ae
American people that no such suE-
Sestions as arc here made should be
injected to further cOmplicatc the cX-
treIaeiy delicate and VIA! situation
the public and the railroads"
Details OF the increases were dis
cusscd by the commission at length.
Discussing provisions for rates be-
the commission said that joint or
single line through rates between
points in one group and points in
9sher groups should be increased
said that the increases should apply
10 individual commodity rates now in
effect except that no Increase should
De made in the rates on iron ore from
~ anu MlCnlSln ranges
10 Lake superior and Lake Michigan
ports.
rs 10 grain rates. the commission
SAD that il found that such rates
kcts In tho Middle west might be
Increased by the general percentages
WIN the understanding that the
curriers' would. within thirty days
after the service Of this report. file
tarins restoring an equalization of
me rates from important producing
states 10 important consuming
regions.
As TO Eastern carriers. the com
mission ruled that base rates might
u" increased. but that port diffcrcn-
,!a!s must be maintained.
Hallway hoard Member Pleased.
CHICAGO. July 3l-"Thc increase
seems TO me TO be very acceptable"
Sain W. l. Park a member OF the
ch!ted states Railway Board today.
-