Arizona republican., 1920-08-01
dvances into effect by then.


The increases are designed to offset the $500. .000.0 900 wage advance awarded by the railroad labor board and to provide the six per cent net income on the aggregate value of the railroad property under the transportation act. The aggregate value of all railroads was estimated by the commission at SIS 300 ,000, 900, as against a book val uation of s2o.040,o00.00 900, given by the carriers.
 The 20 per cent increase in passen- ger fares, excess baggage charges and milk transportation rates and the 50 per cent surcharge on Pullman fares will be general. Freight rate increases will vary according to territoy with 40 per cent in the East, 25 per cent in the South, 35 per cent in the West from the Mississippi river to the Rocky mountainS-and 25 per cent in Pacific territory-Srom east of the Rockies to the Pacific coast, not including Alaska.
 Claim Increases Justified.
 The commission said that the in- creases were Justified in view of the rapidly changing price conditions and the necessity for providing adequate transportation facilities during and after readirstment-
 From figures submitted by the car riers. it was unofficially estimated that the apportionment of the ad- vances would be about S1, ,285. 300 900 in freight: $233.S00.0o0 on passengers; s43.o00. 900 on Pullman; $4,5oo.0oo on milk and $I,40o.0 excess baggage charges.
 On tho same calculations. eastern roads would get the most, receiving approximately ss73.9 GOO. as com western lines. and $135, ,29S. GOO for the southern carriers
 Every Man To Pay sf2 Yearly
 Increased charges on freight alone was estimated as equa1ling a levy of SIP per capita per annum for every woman. man and child. basing the nations population at 1o5.ooo,ooo for 1920.
 Increases in passenger. Pullman and excess baggage rates were those asked by the roads.
 Freight increases requested were 39.75 for the eastern roads. 32.03 for western roads and 3S 91 for southern lines. the total estimated to yield s1,- 356. 100000. The eastern roads were granted .25 of one per cent more than they sought; the western roads ap- proximately what they sought, but the southern roads received approxi- mate 14 per cent less than they had requested.
 The commission said that the finan- cial condition of the southern roads was more favorable than any of the other lines. In view of this condition. the commission held that they were better able to meet the demands on them than some of the other com panies.
 Provides for improvements
 "The increases authorized" said the commission. "are intended to yield the additional one-half of one per cent of the aggregate value of the roads to r,--rax- betterments and equipment, charge able to capital account The record leaves no doubt as to the needs of the country for additional transporta- ton facilities. Carriers will be ex pected to make appropriations for ad- ditionaI improvements. betterments of equipment of a character chargeable to capital account and to make report semi annually showing what portion of the increased revenues has been de- voted to that purpose"
 The one-halt or one per cent VIII yield approximately s94. 900 ,000 The commission said that the carriers had stated that they needed immediately at least 100000 freight cars. 2000 loco motives and 5000 passenger coaches. These are to be paid for out of this fund and out of money advanced by the commission and borrowed by the car riers
 The commission went at some length into the question of aggregate values of the roads as well as their financial condition, and said:
 We conclude that increases indi- cated may be made by ali steam roads subject to our jurisdiction:
 The Commissions Conclusions
 All passenger fares and charges may be increased 20 per cent. The term passenger fares may be consid cred to include standard, local and in terline fares; excursion, convention and other fares for special occasions; communication and other multiple forms of tickets; extra fares on limited trains; club car charges.
 "2-Excess baggage rates may be in- creased 20 per cent, provided that where stated as q percentage of pr de- pendent upon passenger fares the in crease in the latter will automatically effect the increase in the excess bag gage charges.
 "3-A surcharge upon passerg geTs in sleeping and parlor cars may be made amounting to 50 Der cent Of the charge for space in such ears, such charge to be collected in connection with the charge for space.