The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-08-02

gregate value Of all the lines at $751;
900,000,000, the net operating income
would be approximately s1,1S4, DOC. 900,
as compared with the $893,000 stand
ard return the roads have received
during the period Of federal control and
since. Coastwise and inland steamship
companies and electric railway lines are
permitted under the interstate COM
merce decision to raise only freight
rates. Nothing was said by the COM
mission as to passenger rates on the
steamboat lines, but the decision did
say specifically that the freight rate
increase granted electric railway lines
was mot to be construed as an ex-
preston of disapproval Of increase,
made or proposed in the regular man
ner in the passenger fares OF electric
lines.
From One Territory to Another.
While the commission authorized sep
arate freight increases TO the railroads
in the four territories, the increase on
freight moving from one territory to
another will be SO 1-3 per cent.
Creation by the commission on Its
own motion Of the mountain Pacific
territory was unexpected. The west
ern roads as whole had Joined In
asking for an increase of S2.3 per cent,
but the southwestern lines later ut the
public hearing asked that they be given
separate treatment, and q freight In
crease Of approximately 80 per cent.
The commission did not grant this re-
quest, saying that It had been opposed
by many shippers and other carriers in
The surcharse Of 50 per cent. on sleep
wholly to the railroads This charge
was opposed by the Pullman company
on the ground that 1t would reduce
travel in cars of that type. The COM
mission held, however. that charge
of this character has much in its
favor. as III questionably the service is
more valuable to the passenger and
more expensive to the rail carriers"
AS TO INTERSTATE RATES.
"Reasons requiring an Increase
OF Interstate rates are very per-
suaslve OF the need for Increase In
Intrastate rates." declares a report
sent to various state railway com.
missions today by the three repre-.
sentatlves Of those commissions who
sat with the interstate commerce.
commission during public hearings
on the $1,5oo, 900 railroad rate case.
when all matters are considered"
says the report. land remembering that
where thirteen men are considering con-
troverted questions and proposed pol
icies their differences Of opinion must
be composed or decided by the ma
jority. we believe that the conclusion.
considering all things, is just and fair
and we give 1t our approval.
THE increased rates permitted under
the ruling in eX-parte seventy -four
will probably 80 into effect Sept. /,
1920. The operating revenues of the
railroads under present rates and con-
ditions are recognized by all persons as
insufficient. A part of the responsibility
to meet the situation rests upon the
state commission. Such increases as
will be made in Interstate rates should
r. L.
The report Is signed by William d.
B. Ainey. chairman public service COM
mission. of Pennsylvania; Royal c.
Dunn. OF the Florida railroad commits
sion and John A. Guiher, OF the Iowa
raalroad commission.
I'VE participated in the conferences
In the same manner as members OF the
commission" the state commissions
report declares, being invited by them
to take part in the discussions and ex-
press our views with full freedom. The
members Of the commission gave to the
case intense and efficient application,
examining and discussing 1t with the
evident desire to reach correct conclu-
sions and apply the increase in such
manner as to deal justly with the whole
country.
Questions Complex.
1.-THE questions presented were very
numerous, involving the commerce OF
tn0 WnOle country, ana the entire Tdil
transportation system of the United
States. many Of these questions being
OF complex character. Amy decision OF
the case looking to the observance Of
the statute affects in some way every
rate now effective.
Speaking generally, every contro-
verified question concerning all classes
and commodities. and all rates, rules
and practices of rail carriers and all the
theories Of shippers and carriers were
presented and urged In the testimony
and in argument before the commission
and given careful consideration in con-
ference.
THE commissioners were not Of one
mind on all questions and their con-
clusion In many cases was the result
of recognizing that the views OF the
other man must be taken into account
and that there must be some surrender
by each before an agreement could be
reached. In some instances, the conclu-
sion OF the majority is the view ex-
pressed In the ruling. On some of the
questions our views were not In full ac-
cord with the majority. and in some In
stances we three state commissioners
did not have unity of view"