New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-05-28
High Rates Fail
To Cut Traffic.
Says Rail Chief
Santa Fe Vice-Presitlent
Gives Senate Committee
Figures to Show Cain,
Despite Tariff Increase
Readjusiments i'm Making
Shippers and Carriers Are
Smoothing Out lnequali-
ties, C. a m bers Asserts

From The Tribune's Warrington Bureau
WASHINGTON, May 27-Vice- Presi-
dent Edward Chambers, Of the Atchi-
son, Topeka g. Santa Fe. continuing his
testimony to-day before the Senate In
terstate Commerce Committee, declared
emphatically that the existing freight
rates have not interfered with traffic.
He also discussed further the subject
of rate readjustments,, and showed that
rates are being readjusted constantly
by the roads.
Mr.. Chambers dwelt on the movement
of the citrus fruit traffic, as to which
there has been much controversy. He
said that official figures compiled by the
United States Bureau Of Markets
showed that traffic in citrus fruits had
not fallen off. Instead of falling off, he
said, shipments of citrus fruits and
other fruits and vegetables fran Cali
fornia, Florida and Texas since the
higher rates went into effect last Au-
gust 26 have been greater than in the
corresponding period of the preceding
year.
Shipments from California. Mr.. Cham
bers said, for the six months ended
March 81, 1921, showed an increase of
about 1000 carloads over the total for
the corresponding period of the pre-
vious year. From Florida there was an
increase of about 5000 cars. Ship
ments of vegetables from Texas, he
said, increased about 200 cars.
Chairman Cummins said there had
been general misapprehensien on this
point.
With respect to traffic in other COM
modities, Mr.. Chambers laid before the
committee figures TO show the existing
rates did not interfere with the volume
OF traffic up to January. Nevertheless
adjustment of inequalities in the rates
on various comm ODDITIES are constantly
being made at conferences between the
shippers and carriers. He also said
that where establishments downward
have been made in the rates on certain
commodities. such as lumber, the ten
dency has not been to stimulate traffic.
which is regulated by demand.
Reports received indicate that the
Pacific Coast lumber shippers are
rather disappointed in the effect re-
duced rates had upon the movement"
said Mr.. Chambers. He added that re-
adjustments are now in progress as
to rates on Southern lumber, but in
asking, that such action be taken no
claim has been made by the Southern
shippers that increased rates have him
dered the movement of lumber. Their
request If for a reimbursement of their
rates based on what they consider CO M
petltlve commercial conditions, he
said.
The witness asserted that coal shin
ments the last half of the year 1920,
during the most of which time the in,
creased rates were in effect, were much
larger than during the first half.
Discussing rates on sand, gravel and
crushed rock, Mr.. Chambers said modi-
hcatlons in the existing rates on these
commodities are being made daily by
the carriers.
"A conference between carriers and
Shippers OF sand, gravel and crushed
rock or road material will be held in
Washington on June 2 at the request
of the shippers, that request being the
hrst coming to the carriers from those
Shippers for. any general modification
OF the existing adjustment" the wit
ness sad.