Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-17
|. c. C. Member Blocks Cues
ton, Declaring Pay Is Under
Different Authority.
WESTERN LINES STUDY
HIGHWAY COMPETITION
Representative Says Schedules on
Canadian Wheat Would Be
Raised Under Proposal.
The question of railroad wages was

The question of railroad wages was
injected today into the Interstate Com
merce Commissions hearing on the pc
tition of the Nations railroads for a
Is per cent increase IN freight rates. 1t
was met. however. by a statement from
Commissioner Meyer that I'VE shall
have TO deal with wages as they stand"
w. r. Cole. president of the Louis
vile Nashville Railway. a witness at
today's hearing. described the railroads
condition as potential threat Ito the
entire financial and industrial struc-
ture of the Nation.
In the face of the appeal for the
freight increase. the Interstate Com
merce Commission today ordered revl-
sion of live stock rates in the West. in
most cases the changes being reductions
from the old rates. The decision on an
investigation ordered under the Hoch-
Smith resolution was handed down as
the commission swung into its third
day of hearing on the freight rate in
crease petition.
Questioned on Wages.
At the outset of to6ay's hearings H.
A. Scandrett, representing the Western
carriers. was en- the stand when the
matter of wages was brought up.
DO you think wages are too high?"
an attorney asked.
Before Scandrett could reply COM
missioner Meyer interrupted. He ex-
planned that wages were under another
authority
Scsndrett was questioned at length
both by State and Interstate Commerce
commissioners and by attorneys.
In reply TO a question, he said West
ern roads were concerned with bus and
truck competition.
Have the carriers been able to form
any judgment about the effect of truck
operation on their business?" he was
asked.
1--WE have studied it Scandrett re-
piled but the Milwaukee system hasn't
felt justified in going into TIE trucking
business"
Effect on Canneries Studied.
A representative of Minnesota vege-
table growers asked Scandrett if the
effect Of the proposed increase on the
Minnesota and WinconSin canning in
dustry had been considered.
Scandrett answered that he supposed
his traffic department was studying this
and other factors.
He was told that increases ranging
from 80 per cent to so per cent on GER
tain classes of vegetables in the Wis
consin and Minnesota districts had been
still insist on the increase if he knew
that the effect of the proposed Is per
cent increase, in addition to the other
raises, would reduce revenue in that
section.
The fact that the commission has
increased the rates already on certain
products" Scandrett answered. lis con-
elusive proof that it feels that the raises
will bring them into more harmonious
relationship with rates generally. II
each specific rate we're considered, We
feel that it would take much too long
to get any relief whatever"
Losses on Passengers.
He added that he did not feel that
any railroad would put permanently
into effect rates which would drive
freight to other carriers.
Isn't your passenger business in Wis
consin caus ng you losses that have to
be made up through freight rates?" the
railroad executive was asked.
we ere having losses on passengers
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