Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-05-25

ger travel and Pullman charges were
left unaffected by the decision. q
The reduction Of 16 IL per cent
made in the western hay and grain
rates last Fall and the voluntary 10
per cent cut made in all agricuItnral
products by railroads January LIST will
be substituted for the decision on
these commodities.
i Washington, May 24--The general
question of whether railroad trans
portation charges in the United
States had attained levels too high
for business and indutry to support
was brought formally before the In
terstate Commerce Commission in the
fall of 1921 on the commissions own
motion although in response to ma
tion wide commercial and political
suggestions. Farm organizations and
representatives of Western states,
particularly those in the grain pro-
ducing areas, obtained marked con-
cessions about that time to which
railroads voluntarily added ten per
cent reduction on practically all gri-
cultural products all over the United
States except in New England.
position. The coal industry elabor-
the railroad executives, statistical ex-
perts, and attorneys, developed the
argument that railroad earnings were
insufficient to Justify any general de-
creases at least until operating ex-
penses and wage payments as regu-
lated by the Railroad Labor Board,
had been reduced. Every major in
dustry in the United States was rep
resented in the hearings, along with
state regulative bodies, most of whom
sought lowering of transportation
charges, but diverged in the degree
of urgency which they suggested for
the commissions action. The hear
ings extended over four months.
Secretary of Commerce Hoover, APP
pearing at the request Of the Cham
her of Commerce of the United States
proposed that the commission should
make over the existing rate struc-
lures on the principle of applying
proportionatcly lower freights to the
bulky, low priced raw materials Of in
dustry and agriculture, such as coal,
primary foodstuffs, and ores Higher
priced finished materials and passen-
ger traffic. Mr.. Hoover suggested
might bear the charges until such
time as railroad revenues had devel-
oped to the point which would allow
reductions without endangering rail-
road credits. Immediate and tangible
cuts, he said, could be made.
The secretary's position contrasted
radically with that Of state commits
sions, whose members centered a good
deal of their attack on passenger rate
schedules, which they alleged to be
too high for the traffic and in reality
| the cause of low railroad earnings.
| Representatives of the steel and
4
| iron industry asked more stringent
and immediate action principally arg
lming that the commission should re-
move the entire 40 per cent increase
put on eastern rates on their products
in 1920. The National Industrial
Traffic League, representing ship
pers generally, took much the same
ated Mr.. Hoover's proposals, assert
ing that basically coal costs influ-
enced prices Of SO many other COM
/ modities that cuts in rates on it, par
ticularly upon bituminous coal, would
have a beneficial effect. The farm
ing interests were not urgent partic-
ularly in view Of the fact that agri
cultural rates went donw while tho
discussion was before the commits
! sion.
| Members of the commission them
selves it was indicated during the
weeks alter the taking Of testimon!
ceased, in working out line Of
action. A decision expected by Apri
1, was many more weeks in the max