Jasper County Democrat, Volume 23, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 September 1920 — FT. RATES RAISED 331-3% [ARTICLE]

FT. RATES RAISED 331-3%

In Indiana by the State Public Service Commission. Indianapolis, Sept 28. —A 33 1-3 per cent Increase in Indiana intrastate class freight rates is authorized for steam railroads In an order the public service commission issued yesterday. Changes in commodity rates vary from a few 33 1-3 per cent Increases to reductions. The rates are to be effective on one day’s notice by the railroads, provided they shall not go into effect earlier than Friday. The commission declined to authorize the railroads to put into effect In Indiana the 40 per cent increase in freight rates authorized for Interstate traffic by the interstate commerce commission and put into effect Aug. 26, The commission declined to authorize, as It announced several weeks ago it would, the Intrastate increase to 3.6 cents a mile as a passenger faro basis to correspond to the Interstate passenger fare order of the Interstate commerce commission.

Baggage and Milk Rate* The commission declined to authorize the putting into effect In Indiana of the interstate rates increase of 20 per cent on passenger, baggage, milk and creari rates. In reviewing the proposed passenger fare Increase of 20 per cent the commission says: “The record shows that In Illinois the basic passenger rate is 2 cents a mile, made so by statutory enactment and that by certain court orders issued in injunction proceedings the 3 cent fare is preserved, but no higher rates are effective in that state. The public utilities commission of Ohio has denied any increase in passenger rates because of a 3 cent a niile statutory limitation. Should this commission approve a passenger rate of 3.6 cents a mile the level of passenger rates in this state would be 29 per cent higher than In Ohio and Illinois. The commission finds that approval of the passenger, baggage, milk and cream, parlor and sleeping car rates should be withheld until such time as uniformity in those rates obtains in the adjoining states." j ndlana rates everywhere are intended by the order to be on a parity with rates of the kind in Illinois. The commission assumed the attitude that while It does nqt contend against the . t 4O per cent freight rate increase and passenger fare Increase requested for Indiana, so the intrastate rates would conform to the interstate rates that It is obliged to authorize only such rates as will protect Hoosier shippers against shippers In other states where Intrastate rates do not fit in with the nation-wide uniform rate plan of the railroads, and interstate commerce commission. Electric Rate Order Soon

Electric railways operating In Indiana have before the commission petitions in which they request permission to put Into effect In Indiana the same rates steam lines are to charge. The commission has held hearings on the electric companies’ petitions, and an order is to Issue In the case within a day or two. It is believed that the electric rates will be practically the game In most instances. The commllsslon in its steam line order directs the railroads to reestablish gas belt differentials of 25 cents a ton on coal over Indianapolis rates and to preserve present

differentials to other Indiana points, thus reducing the gas belt coal haul rates and readjusting short haul rates. Regarding Coal Rates On this subject the order says: “Petitioners are authorized to in-. crease all rates on coal moving in Indiana intrastate traffic 33 1-3 per cent, except that- on those rates to the so-called gas belt territory, including Lafayette, ttolumbus, Greenfield, Rushville the rate shall not exceed the rate to Indianapolis by more than 25 cents per net ton, except further, that rates on coal moving from mines in this state in distances of 30 miles or less, the rate shall in no event exceed, for distances of 10 miles or less, 55 cent® a net ton; for distances of 10 miles to 30 miles, ,66 cents a net ton, except that rates on coal from mines in the Brazil, Clinton and Linton districts to Terre Haute, shall not exceed 65 cents a net ton, and on coal transported from mines in this state to destination within the state in a switching movement not involving a road haul movement, the rate shall not exceed $lO a car, switching rates now in effect of less than $lO a car may be Increased 33 1-3 per cent, observing $lO a car as a maximum. As to rates on coal to other points within the state, existing differentials should be preserved.” No Change In Brick Rates No Changes are authorized for rates for brick and commodities taking brick rates. General commodity rates are increased 10 per cent. Iron and steel articles rates and live stock rates are increased IS per An 11 per cent increase is authorized for sand and grave! and commodities taking those rates. A certain scale is prescribed for straw. Rates on logs are to be increased the same as on other commodities while the log rates are being worked over by the carriers, shippers and the commission.