Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-01-05
TRANSPORTATION Reductions

r. F it be true that excessive transporta-
ton costs contributed to the business
depression and Industrial stagnation that
arked the year 1921, the birth of the New
Year, on Sunday, was far more significant
than the mere beginning of new calender.
The day marked very pronounced tighten
ing of the country's colossal transportation
burdens that should sped the restoration of
normally in every lire of endeavor.
No student of economy, in surveying con-
dtions, has been able to escape the conclu-
sion that high freight and passenger rates
were in large measure responsible for the
commercial and industrial depression that
applied throughout 1921 to every activity.
Merchants, manufacturers and farmers conn
plaine, that excessive transportation costs
had operated seriously to interfere with their
business.
The government tax on transportation
ceased at midnight Saturday, and with the
advent Of the New Year freight, passenger
and express costs were lessened by the
amount of the tax that had been assessed
b. the government. In round numbers these
transportation taxes cost the people of the
United States 100000 for every working
day of the year. The cessation of the tax
levy means that the national transportation
bill has been reduced not less than $300,00O,-
600 annually.
But the 5000, 200, 900 reduction in the ma
tional transportation bill does not represent
the full measure of relief that has come to
the country with the new year-"a country"
as the New York Herald observes, whose
vast distances, myriad products and repeat
ed rehandlings of all materials raw and fin
ished, make the free and natural flow OF
our national traffic as vital thing as the
circulation o. the blood in the arteries of
man."
In addition to the repeal of the trans
portation tax rate reductions on farm COM
modities, lumber and other basic products
that figure instantly in, the industry of
America, have been voluntarily made by
the railroads.
Estimates vary as to what the voluntary
rate reductions will amount to, "but, as
the Herald suggests, good railroad judge
ment puts it, under anything like normal
Industrial activity and distribution, at not
less than another 100000, 900. Undoubtedly,
too, the Interstate Commerce Commission will
gradually, but steadily, lower other rates
which now Stacking both production
and distribution. Beyond all that, the rail-
roads ask for another wage readJustment,
the whole of such saving in operating ex-
penses to be applied to still further traffic
reductions
The saving of $eOO,OOO,oOo a yea in
transportation costs cannot but nelp to slim
ulate commerce and industry, and the slim
ulatior will mean employment for the un-
employed, with attendant reductions in the
cost of living. Farm products will move in
greater abundance and will net to the pro-
ducerS q financial return more nearly COM
mensurate with the investments in time,
labor and money they represent; mills and
factories that have been idle will resume
operation, their products will move free
ly in local and interstate commerce.
1t Is important, however if the reduction
in transportation costs is to afford the re-
lief that is expected of it, that commerce
and industry resolve to pass the reduction
o. down the line to the ultimate consumers,
and to this they must make readjustments
of their own that will contribute toward the
restoration of normal pre-war conditions.