The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-01

service, Of transportation and One-hait of 1 per cent in addition; eastern group, 40 per cent; southern group, q per cent; western group. 8 per cent and noun tain Pacific group. 9 per cent"
 The decision of the commission, which was unanimous, summed up as followsf
 SUMMARY OF DECISION
 Most of the factors with which we are dealing are constantly changing. ft IS impossible to forecast with any do- gree of certainty what the volume of traffic will be. The general price level is changing from month to month and from day to day. It is impracticable at this time to adjust all of the rates on individual commodities. The rates to be established on the basis hereinbe- fore approved must necessarily be sub 1ect to such readjustments as the facts may warrant. 1t is contended by the carriers that readjus ments will be necessary. It is expected that shippers will take the matters up in the first instance with the carriers, and the lat ter will be expected to deal promptly and effectively herewith, to the end that necessary readjustments may be made In as many instances as prac- ticable without appeal to us
 Government operation of the rail- roads was brought into the rate case by Commissioner Eastman. who, in an ODlIlOA. III WAltn conn lSSl lOlltE W OOl- ley cOneurred, disapproved the method used by the commission in arriving at it's conclusions. Commissioner Me Chord criticised Commissioner East mans position, declaring that he in jects into this case large political ques- lions Of governmental policy which are nowhere at issue here"
 PREFERS FEDERAL CONTROL
 Commissioner Eastman expressed re- gret that federal control of the roads was not permitted to continue at least until after the readjustment period.
 Tt was my hope,n he said, that fed eral control might be continued, be- cause it was evident that the transit ton back to private operation would create additional disturbance in a time of unsettlement and unrest, that exist ing railroad facilities could be made to do more work and meet more nearly the transportation needs of the coun- try under unified control than under the control of many separate compa- nies. that the additional facilities which are so greatly needed could now bet provided more easily and more economically by pubic than by private capital and that disturbances resulting from both rate increases and labor dif- faculties could be reduced to a mini mum it the government retained direct responsibility for the roads"
 Commissioner MeCord, in his reply, said:
 The Congress has for the time being. settled the question of government operation of the railroads by restoring them to private operation. hedged around by comprehensive laws, vesting broad power in this commission to regu- late them. It is the duty of this com mission to enforce the law as Congress has written it. The questions involved in this ease are so great and so vital to the American people that no such sug- gestions as are here made should be injected to further complieate the ex tremely delicate and vital situation that now confront this commission, the pub lie and the railroads"
 LENGTHY DISCUSSION
 Details of the increases were discussed by the commission at length. Discussing provisions for rates between the va rious groups of roads, the commission said that joint or single line through rates between points in one group and points in other groups should be in creased 33 1-3 per cent The commission also said that, the increases should ap- :ly to individual commodity rates now t,1 ..ff 4h.t ,,