Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-12
INTERSTATE
COMMISSION

THE annual report OF the inter
state commerce commission is
an interesting document, though its
paragraphs are brief, and refer to
fuller reports made previously.
However from a study of its pages
we are impressed with the multi
tuae Of duties placed on this COM
mission by the transportation act
and other acts of congress. These
duties are enormous in their scope
ard run from inspection Of loco
motives to Investigations of rates
and securities issued by the rail-
roads. We are not surprised that
the commission has a vigorous kick
coming about it's need for more
money. On this subject the ON
mission says that reductions in its
estimates for appropriations, made
by the bureau of the budget, occa-
stoned the commission to recon-
mend formally to congress that
amounts be given it sufficient to
meet our absolutely necessary re-
ouirements." For the current fis-
cal year, its appropriations were
S5,045,65o, the commission said, and
for next year, it would require
$500, 500, though the budget di-
rector had recommended that the
amount be reduced to S4,4e4,5oo.
With this smaller amount, the re-
port said, the commission would
be forced to defer or greatly re-
strict work"
The commission tells US that it
has made a general reduction in
freight rates during the year
amounting to about 10 per cent.
On this subject the report says:
Most freight rates and charges
had been increased if August, 1920,
pursuant to increased rates, 1920,
supra. The effect of our findings
in reduced rates. 1922, supra, was
to require carriers by railroad, in
all cases where their freight rates
and charges had been so increased
in August. 1920. and had not been
reduced subsequently by at least
10 per cent, to reduce them to a
basis, not exceeding 90 per cent
OF those made effective in August,
1870. This in most instances
brought about a 10 per cent re-
dlction. No reductions were then
required or have subsequently been
made in passenger fares, baggage
charges, or express rates, which
remain substantially upon the level
authorized and made effective in
1920. While many of those who
appeared before us advocated large
reductions on certain low-grade
and s~o-called basic commodities,
With no reductions in class rates or
in rates on other commodities, u
conclusions applied to the rates
and charges on all freight traffic
moving in interstate and foreign
in the same manner as
the increases authorized in 1920
applied to all such traffic. Serious
dislocation in the relationship Of
rates on the various commodities
transported. and in competitive
and commercial situations as be-
tween different industries and To-
calities, would in the judgment Of
a majority of the commission have
resulted if we had attempted to
limit the reductions to particular
commodities rather than to apply
them to freight traffic in general"
The commission tells us that
they have practically completed
their valuation of all the railroads
of the United States and the fig
ures are available, although there
are a good many appeals and OBJ
jections on the part of the rail
roads to these figures yet to be
heard While they refer to the
consolidation or merger section of
the transportation act they do not
say much about it except that hear
ings arc under way.
Tn his recent message to con.
gress the president advises that
the duties of the labor board be
ira 1sferred to the interstate COM
rnercc commission and the labor
board under the transportation ac'
abolished. The change may be al
right, but If it is brought about the
interstate commerce commission
certainly. needs more money and
more help, It is the most over
crowded government instrumental
ity we know of now, and congress
is continually adding to its duties.
Moreover these duties are inpor-
tant and vital to the interests OF