Milford chronicle., 1920-08-27
l. c. Q. GRANT TO REDTCE II. G. ..

Washington, August 2O-That the
recent grant of the /. c. c. to the
railroads will tend to decrease living
cost through removal of the car
shortage, is predicted by the Repub-
lican Publicity Association, through
its president, Hon. Jonathan Bourne,
Jr., in a statement issued as follows:
Some superficial observers. conf
menting upon the new scales OF
freight and passenger rates granted
blythe Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. take the view that a rise in the
cost of living will follow Immediately
after the increased rates go into ef-
feet 1t may be that slight increase
in living costs will come as result
of the new rates, but it will be but
temporary. As soon as the roads have
begun to feel the benefits of the in
creased income and have invested it
in improved facilities, the supply of
commodities will be more ample and
regular, with the inevitable result
that prices will fall, and stay down.
"The car shortage from which the
country is now suffering is directly
affecting the price of every article
produced. There is scarcely a coal
mine but is calling for more cars,
and for months has failed to obtain
sufficient cars to handle its product.
Increased fuel cost has been reflected
in the price of every manufactured
product. These products themselves
have been piled high in warehouses
awaiting transportation to take them
to market. There is a shortage in
practically every commodity, due di-
rectly to the car shortage. With trans
portatiOn curtailed the law of sup
ply and demand has done the rest.
The prices on available supplies have
risen, and the people have had to pay.
"The decision of the Interstate
Commerce Commission stipulates that
One-half of one per cent of the total
income received by the roads, esti-
mated at almost 100000 must be
set aside each year for additions and
betterments. 1t required no official
command, for the roads are ready and |
anxious to make heavy investments in |
new rolling stock and other equip |
ment the moment their credit is inn |
proved and funds are at their dispos- /
al. The months following the inaugu- |
ration of the new rates will witness /
flNlANAAg OAA AAA0 RetAN Vi ]
car and locomotive builders and pro-
ducers of other railways supplies, and /
the efficiency of American transpOrta
tion VIII arise just as rapidly as
those additional facilities are applied
to the railway service.
with the increase in efficiency. Ov-
reproduction at our factories will
cease. Stocks now on hand will find
their way to market and into the
hands of the consumer. Industries
will reach and maintain their nor
NAL output. Employment will be reg
ulated and stabilized, and shutdowns
Of manufacturing plants will be a
thing of the past. As the rehabilita-
lion of the roads progresses the cost
Of living will be lowered until point
IS reached where the capacity of the
roads is sufficient to meet all the de-
nands upon it. Foodstuffs. fuel, and
products-all will feel
he change and reflect it in increased
supply and more regular distribution,
md consequent lessening of price.
"Of course inadequate transporta-
ion is not the only element that en-
ers into the high cost of living, but
t is a natural and very potent one.
Most of the others are artificial,
which a proper enforcement of the
aw would eliminate. The moment the
Department of Justice is presided ov-
n by an Attorney General who ,
links less of his political fortunes
han he does of the peoples welfare
We shall see an end of artificial price .
timulation. The grant to the rail-
oads by the Interstate Commerce
is one of the big factors .
hat insures an early and material
eductiOn in the cost of living. An
ther is the change in the admins I
ration of the government next March
which will bring with it a certainty
hat a Republican President and At
orney General will give the people
he protection to which their laws I
nfftIa fbarr1 -