The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1922-05-26
RAIL RATES CUT
l2.5, IA Per CENT
Freight Charges To Be Bas.
ed On SIS Return In
stead of 6.

Washington, May 24.-The pre-
lude to the long-heralded return to
prosperity was seen by administra-
tion officials in the slashing reduc-
tions in railroad freight rates made
today.
The Interstate Commerce Com
mission made public a decision re-
vising transportation rates begin
ming July 1 The reductions vary
from IA per cent to 1875 per cent
and are intended TO net the railroads
a return upon valuation of 5.75 in
stead Of 6 per cent.
The railway executives who met
with President Harding and declined
TO cut rates voluntarily will accept
the decision and so notify the rate
fixing body tomorrow, II was learn
ed. II there is any appeal 1t will be
on certain specific rates and will not
affect the general situation.
Passenger and Pullman rates are
not affected by the commissions rul-
ing,
Administration officials were
keenly elated over the decision Ev-
cry move the, President has made TO
engineer the country back to revival
of business has encountered the in
surmountable obstacle 1--WE have TO
pay too much transportation" 1t has
retarded building construction OF nu-
merous great projects. has discourag-
ed agricultural activities and boosted
prices on all commodities.
To Turn to Coal.
II was with view of removing
this barrier that the President made
a personal appeal to the railway Off
cials to voluntarily reduce rates. The
reduction follows the refusal of the
railway executives to meet the Presi-
dents wishes.
With the railway situation tenn
porarily solved and in keeping with
the trend in business, the President
will turn his attention to the con-
sideration OF other problems which in
his opinion. have an appreciable eff
feet on business. One of these is
the coal strike situation and the 9TH
err is the reduction of rail labor
wages. The delay in the railway la
Dor board making an award served to
hamper the rate decision and the
President, It is understood, will en-
davor to expedite II so that II may
become operative shortly after the
lower rates.
The freight reductions are:
Eastern group and points in llli-
nois territory. IA per cent.
Western group. 1875 per cent.
Southern and mountain Pacific
groups, 12h per cent.
On inter- territorial traffic, 13 1-S
per cent
The railway executives have been
asked to notify the commission by
May 81 whether 1t is their intention
toAappeal so that dates may be set
for the hearing of the testimony.
McChord For Lower Figure.
The officials feel, it was said, that
they have all the testimony that
could be produced and see no reason
why the case should be reopened.
Chairman McChord. of the commits
sion, concurred in the rate reduction,
but expressed an opinion that rates
should be based on SIS return upon
valuation. instead of SIS return
81 think that the times and con-
ditions plainly demand reductions in
rates on all materials and products
that are basic in industry, and in our
existence as a people, to level that
business interests will recognize as the
lowest available for sometime to
come" said he. 'ln my judgment
the genral reduction falls far short
of full attainment of the desired
end"
The gradual revival of business
and industry turnout the nation was
again rflected in the loading OF reve-
nue. freight during the week ending
MAY 10. Except for livestock there
were increases in all commodities, in
GLIDING coal, which showed an ex-
cess of 3,67O cars over the preceding
week.
A total of 1889 cars were load
ad an increase of $1,000 for the
? week and of 26,17S over the same
week I'm 1921.