Evening journal., 1920-10-09
STATE COMMISSIONS PREVENTING ADVANCES IN
STATE RATES.

U,ALURE OF the state railroad and public utility COM
missions to authorize advances in State freight and
passenger charges corresponding TO those authorized by
the Interstate Commerce Commission in Interstate freight
and passenger rates causing fagrant determinations
In and threatening 10 prevent the railways from
getting the increases earnings which they need accord
ing editorial In the current issue Of the Railway Age
When the Interstate Commerce Commission began con
sderaion Of the carriers applications for increased rates
says the Railway Age the National Association Of Railway
and Utilities Commissioners composed OF the members Of
the state regulatory commissions appointed three repre-
senatiyes to sit with the commission and formulate
concentrations TO the various State commissions On July
81 the commission announced It's decision and the three
authorized representatives OF the State commissioners
association issued formal statement mnendng the
granting OF rates State freight and passenger traffic
corresponding with those fixed by the Interstate Com
merce Commission on Interstate traffic.
What has been the resutY OF &c State commissions by
which action has so far been reported. only 10 have
granted increases State freight rates corresponding
with the increases granted by the Interstate Commerce
Commission in the same territory. Seven State com
missions have granted corresponding state freight rate
increses but have denied modified the increases on
many commodities. Six commissions have allowed the
carers TO file tariffs and place the rates in effect
subject TO review upon complaint one commission has
denied the carriers applications upon technical grounds
TWO commissions both in territory in which inter-
state freight increase OF 35 cent has been made have
granted state OF 80 i-3 per cent and another
commission In the territory has granted State in
crease OF but 25 per cent.
regard TO the increases in passenger fares, i6 state
commissions have allowed advances in State rates cor
responding to the Interstate advances 10 have denied a
pcatons for Increase have allowed tariffs to be filed
and the rates placed effect subject 10 review and
has denied the application for advances on technical
grounds.
tod frnun
on by state commissions Of the increases allowed by The
Interstate Commission in excess baggage rates
and milk and rates and It's allowance Of surcharge
on sleeping and parlor rates
The result OF this chaotic condition has been the esab
ishmeni OF agrant rate determinations throughout th'
country For instance shipper in Council Bluffs Iowa
has markets within the State Of Nebraska His frelgh
rate TO those markets. being interstate, has been in
creased 80 per cent by the Interstate Commerce Com
mission The shipper OF a similar commodity located al
Omaha, Neb across the Missouri river from Council
Bluffs can ship to the same market at increase o.
only % per cent because the Nebraska commission has
granted an increase in rates OF only that amount h
same condition prevails at many points throughout Tho
West
In regard 10 passenger traffic. the passenger fare from
Chicago TO ST. Louis Mo. is 36 cents per mile, in ac
cordance with the ruling OF the Interstate Commerc
Commission The fare from Chicago 10 East ST. Louis
Ill., Just across the Missouri River Is but cents per mil
in accordance with the ruling OF the Illinois commission
The surcharge Pullman and paror car fares canno
be collected the latter trip whereas it can on the former
such conditions cannot continue to exist without null
flying the attempt of the Interstate Commerce Commisso
To grant the railroads adequate revenues with which
restore their properties and render satisfactory servc
The percentage allowed by the commission wei
based on total figures all roads In each group lhe'
include Of course figures for State traffic II part
the traffic Is TO be carried at different and lower rate
Il Is evident that the increase in earnings that VIII occ'
will fall short OF the estimates Of the commission an
will fail TO accomplish It's object Of putting the railroad
on their feet financially. II the Clate commissions al
to be allowed TO prevent The railways from earning adj
quae net returns they VIII defeat all the efforts whic
have been made by Congress and who are now bein
made by the Interstate Commerc Commission to deal wit
and solve the railroad problem as national problem