The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-11-17
RAIL OFFICIALS tkMHN HI NHNN
 AGREE ID REDUCE
 PRODUCE RATES
Ten Per Cent Reduction of Carload Freight to Go Into Effect Shortly
 It Is Stated
By AssocIntsd Pres.


 New York, November 16.-An im- mediate reduction of 10 per cent in carload freight rates on farm prod ucts, for period of six months, was agreed upon today by execu- tives of the railroads of the United States.
 Announcing the decision, Thomas Dewitt Cuyler, president of the As- sociation of Railway Executives. stat ed that any reductions in such rates made since September 1. 1920, were to be included in the 10 per cent, and that 1t would be put into effect without waiting for reduction in wages The freight rate cut will ap- ply throughout the entire country ex- cept on traffic moving wholly with In New England.
 It was expected that the new rate would be effective within 10 days, as the railroads, it was said, had asked the interstate commerce commission, through their general counsel. to au- thorize the change on one days mo- tiee. The reduction will cost the railroads about $55,O00.0 .000, it was estimated
 Already Reduced.
 'The railroads have already gre- duced freight rates substantially from the level established by the commission in August, 1920" MT. Cuylers statement said. "The re- auctions already made are estimated as accurately as can be, to involve a losS of revenue at the rate of from $17500O, ,O00 to $200, GOO, 900 annually These reductions on many roads rep- resent loss much greater than any corresponding saving realized from reductions In wages already effecteds The railroads are, Furthermore. awaiting decisions of the labor board which, 1t is hoped, will relieve the companies sof the expense of many onerous and uneconomical working conditions. The railroads are not in a financial condition to make this sacrifice.
 Unless there should be some re- vival in business, the probability of which is conjectural, the entire imme- diate loss involved in this proposed reduction in rates would be taken from the net earnings of the rail- roads"
 Mir. Cuyler said the railroads were relying on the public for effective aid in bringing about the necessary reductions In labor and other trans portation costs and that they hoped for 1abor's cooperation. He declared the railroads had taken the first step to relieve existing business depres sion and had given an earnest ex- ample of their fixed purpose to re- duce rates and to relieve at the earl fest practicable moment so far a& reasonably possible the public's transportation burden.
 Apply to Labor Board.
 The executives passed a resolution 10 the effect that in the event of disagreement between tn railroad of ficfals and their employees in confer ence on wage reductions. the neces- sary steps under the law would be to apply to the railway labor board for quick action.
 It also was decided by resolution to apply to the interstate commerce commission for a rehearing of the hay and grain case, and general in- quiry is asked to ascertain whether, until a substantial reduction in oper- alton and labor costs could be ob- tained, any further rate reductions could lawfully be required, or with due regard to the transportation in- dustry 1t was said
 The new rates are aplicable to car loads of wheat. corn, oats. other grain, flour and meal. hay. straw and alfalfa, manufactured tobacco, cotton. cotton seed and products, ex- cept cotton seed oil and cotton seed meal; citrus fruit, other fresh fruits. potatoes, other fresh vegetables; dried fruits and vegetables, horses and mules, cattle and calves, sheep and goats, hogs. poultry, egga butter and cheese and wool