Show Railroads Ask AskIn 16 Boost In Freight Rate VI WASHINGTON ASHINGTON July 3 UP UP- UP The country's railroads Thursday Thursday Thursday Thurs Thurs- day petitioned the interstate commerce commerce com corn merce commission for freight rate increases av averaging ragIng 16 They estimated the Increases would yield an additional 1090 l O- O of revenue annually based on estimated business for 1947 I If approved by the I ICe C C the Increases in increases increases In- In creases would make up the railroads railroads railroads rail rail- roads said for or additional wage materIal material material ma ma- and supply costs They added that a further increase would be requested if costs rise further The petition asked a 25 in increase increase increase in- in crease in the east and 15 in the west and south The percentage increases are reduced by limitations to specific maximum increases on Alls of gf commodities As a result fo th the c country as ns- ns whole a the l Increases in increases In- In creases will average out at 16 The railroads railroads' ads ads' in a statement sale said operating costs of the railroads have increased since 1939 But they asked no Increase in Sn passenger fares Previous Increases In freight rates have accounted for all but about of cost I in increases increases in- in a- a creases since 1939 the statement sal said This This' gap must be bridged if the railroads are to operate on a sound economic basis it added The petition was filed med on behalf of all aU the nations nation's railroads IncludIng Including ing all classes |