Evening journal., 1922-06-20
Uncle Ted's Bedtime Stories
Prosperity Seen in Lower Freight Rates

"Its mighty hot in here klddies," ,"
said Uncle Ted. why not move
ourselves out on the front porch
Did you water the lawn. Jack?"
yes, indeed, answered Jack. 1.-THE
lawn, flowers, sidewalk and part OF
the street"
'Fine It ought to be nice and
sol."
Sell us a story said" said Ruth
wneu they were all comfortably
seated on the porch.
II knew IT," said Uncle Ted. cal
wsys a story. How would you like
to hear something about a recent de-
cision of the Interstate Commerce
Commission at Washington which
will mean prosperity and better
conditions in general?"
wasn't that the decision that will
make II cheaper to send things by
freight?" asked Jack. MY box
from Seattle full of those Indian
things cost mother $40 just for
freight"
That's right, Jack. Freight rates
have come down and If your cousin
had waited a while to send that box
II WOulQn nave G05L AlAdl iAuNhs
"At Washington" continued Uncle
Ted. there IS a body Of men ap-
pointed by the President and con-
firmed by the United States Senate.
known as the Interstate Commerce
Commission. As their name implies.
their duties are to look after mat
ters connected with railroads In the
shipping Of goods from one State 10
another. They have the power 10
set rates which must be followed,
Just as the Railroad Labor Board
has the power 10 establish wages 10
be paid railroad employees. During
the war the wages OF railroad en-
ployes were Increased several times
and in order to make up for part Of
this increased expense the Interstate
Commerce Commission in 1920,
made an increase in the amounts 20
be charged for carrying of freight,
but beginning July l of this year
these rates will be about IL per cent.
lower than they were because OF the
increases.
From August, 1920, TO July OF
this year has been a period OF two
years OF readjustment of rates. To
increase these charges and to de-
crease them according 10 the general
business conditions Of the country IS
something that cannot be done in a
minute. Of course. some Of the
railroads have made their reductions
Of their own accord. while the reduc-
ton in rates on other roads has
been due TO decisions Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission.
Naturally this is going to help
business conditions generally because
1t will make 81 cheaper 10 send goods
Of all kinds The high cost OF send
ing goods and products by freight
has caused trouble in all parts Of the
country.
THE railroads, in order to make
up their loss by these reductions,
must depend upon increased traffic
and economies. Increased traffic
should come naturally. II is interest
ing 10 note that this decision Of the
Interstate Commerce Commission
came within a week OF the decision
made by the Railroad Labor Board
which reduces the wages OF all
classes OF railway employees except
those working on trains. When
summed up, these reductions mean
Just this 10 the railroads: Their in
come through freight reductions has
been cut S24O 100000 and their eX-
penses through the reduction of
wages have been cut only S150,000,-
900. You can see from this that
there is difference OF 100000, 900
which is a loss to the railroads and
which they Will have to make up. as
I said before, by more traffic and
economies on other things.
The executives OF the lines in the
Northwest say that the rate cut will
mean a decline Of $4,000. 900 a year
in their revenue but there is a bright
side to the situation in that part Of