New-York tribune., 1920-08-03
Higher Fares
Due Aug. 20;
Freight, 25th

the report continues, land remember
ing that where thirteen men are con-
sidcring controverted questions and
proposed policies their differences Of
opinion must be composed or decided
by the majority, we believe that the
conclusion, considering all things. is
just and fair, and we give it our ap-
provai.
"The increased rates permitted un-
DER the ruling In cx-parte "a probably
will go into effect September /, 1920.
The. operating revenues Of the rail-
roads under present rates and condi-
insufficient. 4 part Of the responsi-
btlity to meet the situation rests upon
the state commissions. Such increases
as will be made in intrastate rates
should, II possible. be made effective
September ! 1920"
'The report is signed by William D.
D. Ainey, chairman of the Public Ser
vice Commission of Pennsylvania;
Royal G. Dunn, Of the Florida Railroad
Commission, and John A. Guiher, of
the Iowa Railroad Commission
We participated in the conferences
IN the same manner as members Of the
commision," the State commissioners
report declares, "beng invited by them
to take part in the discussions and ex-
The members of the commission gave
to the case intense and efficient appl-
cation. examining and discussing it
with the evident desire TO reach cor
rect conclusions and apply the increase
IN such manner as to deal justly with
the whole country
THE questions presented were very
numerous, involving the commerce Of
the whole country and the entire rail
transportation system Of the United
States, many Of these questions be-
ing of complex character. Any deci-
sion Of the case looking to the OBJ
servance Of the statute affects in some
way every rate now effective.
Speaking generally, every contro-
verted 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 tes-
timony and in argument before the
commission and given careful consld-
GRAFTON in conference.
"The missioners 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 con-
clusion of the majority is the view ex
pressed in the ruling. On some of the
questions our views were not in full
accord with the majority, and in some
instances we three state comm ission-
ers did not have unity Of view"
Should Not Boost Prices
Railroad rate increases authorized
by the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion SHOULD have no apprecable effect
on the prices Of the vast majority of
things which the ordinary consumer
purchases according to an analysis
Of the possible effect Of the advanced
rates made public tonight by W. Jett
Lauck, economist for the railroad labor
organizations At the same time, Mr..
Lauck asserted that there would have
been no occasion for so large an ad-
vance" if the roads had been better
managed, made free Of water" IN
capitalization and were mot them
selves the victims Of profteers to the
extent of 100000, 900 a year" in pur-
chase of supplies and equipments.
"Stll, there is no occasion for alarm
in the prospect of an addition Of a
billion and half dollars to the an
nual transportation bill of the coun-
try" the statement said, "provid ded this
item is not multiplied four or five
times before it is presented to the peo-
pie Tor payment. For instance, by no
possible computation can the increased
freight rates be made to justify an