Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 225, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1914 — ROADS ASK WAR TAX TO MEET DEPRESSION Will Seek Additional 5 Per Cent Rail Rate Boost of Interstate Commerce Commission. [ARTICLE]

ROADS ASK WAR TAX TO MEET DEPRESSION

Will Seek Additional 5 Per Cent Rail Rate Boost of Interstate Commerce Commission.

One of the most important measures to be submitted to the interstate commerce commission when It reopens its hearings on the rate ease on Oct. 19 will be a petition for special measures to aid the railroads to survive the depression arising from the European war. In addition to the 5 per cent boost in freight rates to be asked of the commission many of the railroads are planning to request an additional 5 per cent increase for an indeterminate period, to be withdrawn at the discretion of the commission. ‘lt will be in the nature of a "war tax” and is intended to bring returns to the railroads to make up for the depression in business. “Let the railroads alone,” is a plea by Fairfax Harrison, president of the Southern Railroad, In an address to employes a few days ago. He said the railroads were passing through a critical period, with the European war destroying business and creating depression. He asked state legislatures and labor unions to refrain from making demands on the railroads ufttil the affairs of the country become settled. ‘The railroads are in no condition to grant demands for eighthour days, increased wages or spec/ ial overtime pay,” he said.