, 1921-08-31
SHOUP CALLING
GOVERNORS OF
WEST TO MEET
Conference Plans Stringent
Protest Against Prohibit
tive Freight
Rates.

DENVER, Colo. Aug. Slower
II. Shoup, governor of Colorado. to-
day directed letters to the governors
OF &c western states asking them to
Join with Colorado in efforts to
bring about a reduction o. railroad
rates.
Late this week, Governor shoup
also announced. b transportation
committee Of Colorado. named last
March 20 attempt to bring down the
cost - living by n reduction OF rail
road races. will file a complaint with
the Interstate m commission
asking the commission TO resclnd Its
order Of August 2s. 1890. which
granted the railroads an Increase in
fares.
The petition also asks that the
commission. besides re-establishins
.he rates in effect prior to August
ss. 1890. compel the railroads in case
they wish an increase in rates. here
after TO show that they are honestly
and efficiently managed"
The governor has asked h COVER
nors OF the following states to join
with Colorado in the petition: Wash
ington. Oregon. California, Nevada.
Idaho. Montan1- Utah. Arizona.
Texas. Oklahoma. New Mexico, wy
omine. North Dakota. South Dakoti,
Nebraska and Kansas.
In his letter to the governors. the
governor OF Colorado states the rca-
sons that compelled him 10 authorize
the proceedings before the interstate
commerce commission in the follow
ing
Transportation charges are so vi
tai a factor in the commerce OF the
country thai IT does not seem possible
for a fun resumption of normal bust
ness to occur unless every important
industry is enabled to distribute n
market upon transportation charges
which the traffic cen pay and still
show a profit. Dun position is that
reduced rates will produce increased
traffic and should consequently pro-
duee Increased revenue"
The complaint and petition to be
filed before the interstate commerce
commission was drawn by Merle D.
Vincent of Grand Junction. a mem
Der and legal adviser of the transpor-
tatfon committee and a rate expert.
The petition charges the rates are
unreasonable and unlawful in the fol
lowing particulars
That the act approved February
rs, 1920, requires as a condition to
the establishment of rates TO meet
operating expenses and TO yield a fair
return on the aggregate value OF rail
road property, that owners must pro-
vid and the interstate commerce
commission must obtain honest. eff
cient and economical management OF
tarsportatlon facilities.
That the defendants are not eff
GENTLY and economically managed but
that on the contrary management is
characterized by inefficiency costly
and needless Implications Of service
and avoidable waste and losses which
amount to RAJ sums, and by n disre-
gard of the provisions of the act ap-
owed February rs. 1920, relating to
the management Of transportation ia
cjlities.
That said increased rates impede
the of all the state OF the
United States including the commerce
OF the state of Colorado, reduce pas
mlnish transportation
And that aid increased rates were
ordered and made effective as afore-
SAID upon application Of defendants TO
meet an emergency created in large
part by inefficiency and needless ex-
pense, without a hearing to determine
the management Of transportation IA
therefor"