Arizona republican., 1921-10-23
COMMISSION
 ORDERS 16 PER CENT CUT
 IN WESTERN RAIL RATES
rRepubIican A. p. Leased WlreJ

WASHINGTON, Oct. 22-In al sweeping decision involving the en-| tire railroad situation, wage scales, depression in industry and finances, the interstate commerce today order ed the freight rates on grain. grain products and hay throughout the western half of the United States re- duced sby an average of approximate ly 16 per cent.
 Notice was given the carriers that the commission expected the reduc- tions to be put into effect immediate ly and-by November 20 at the latest. and that the low state of railroad earnings, which led to the increases in 1920. should hereafter be rectified by reductions in wages and prices and that a downward tendency should be set for their rates.
 Anticipated by statements fin of ficial quarters bearing upon the strike call of the railroad brother hoods. the decision was rendered in the case brought to the commission September 3 by 24 western state and agricultural organizations. The com mission unanimously held with the states petitioning for reductions though conceding the difficult fi- nancial situation of the railroads
 
 and hay one-half of the increases given the railroads in 1920 and on all other grains fixes the rates IT 10 per cent less than those on wheat. The commission further ordered a new relationship built up in the rates on grain products. including flour and other commodities, to agree with the lower level on the raw material. The increases given in 1920 gave the car riers a 36 per cent advance in the Mississippi valley and western ter ritory, 26 per cent advance within the mountain and pacific territory and g 1-3 per cent advance on com i modittes moving across the division 1 line of which half is now taken away The commission also found tho present rates on coarse grain, ia- cluding oats, rye, corn and millet to be unjust and unreasonable anC ordered them to be fixed generally at 10 per cent less than the tariff ] prescribed for wheat.
 Dealing with the railroad financial situation, the commission pointed tC the railroad labor boards decision of July reducing wages about 12 pei l cent and to changes in labor rules ! and working conditions accomplishet | by the labor board which have les
 
 1 the commission estimated will pro- ! duce a saving of about S425 00O 00( 1 per year.
 "The fact that many railroad | charges are still levied at the war | time peak" the commission declared | "are a cause of discourasement {, i the producer. who has been unabl, | to maintain his prices and % the em | ploye who has experienced a reduc ] ton of wages. The really vital con cern of the carriers is 10 promot' ] the return of what may he deeme, 1 normal traffic and anything whiCs will help toward this end is great, to their benefit. So far as a ten , dency downward in their rates can b induced. and so far as reduction in wages ard prices. which have bee, made effective. can be converted int rate reductions, we are assured tha the full return of prosperity will D hasteued for both industry and labor The carriers have. we feel. them seV yes manifested a realiza ton of thi fact in substantial reductions il rates. which they have voluntarily i made"