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Show RAIL CONSOLIDATION MAY BE TRIED OUT-- OUT-- AS NEXTSTEP Bring Order Out of Transportation Chaos By H. B. HUNT. WASHINOTON, March 5. Consolidation Con-solidation of the railroads of the United Btates into a limited number of regonal and transcontinental systems sys-tems Is to be the nrju step in attempting- to bring order out of the transportation chaos. Recommendations covering the consolidations are - expected to be taken up by the Interstate commerce commission In March. These have been formulated by William Z. Ripley, Rip-ley, railroad economist of Newton Center, Mass., who was detailed to 41. e work by special order of the commission months ago. Ripley's report was first expected by January 1, but because of the Immensity of the job he asked for an extension of two months. PLAN SUGGESTEO. Expectation Is the report will recommend the mersrinf of all roads ) In the I'nlted Htates into no less i than twelve or no more then sixteen systems. Full authority for such consollda- I tions Is g;Lven by the Cummins Inw! i of lt2. which places within the j commission power to permit or to require menrers In the Interest of j 1 Inrf mmnA ffflmnrv I However, the law provides that a competition shall be preserved "ss fully as possible." DOUBT EFFECT. There Is deep rooted doubt, however, how-ever, in the minds of some commission commis-sion members whether even such pooling ot properties as these consolidations con-solidations will bring will put the railroads on their feet. The whole railroad situation Is most serious and every new cure attempted ven rate Increases only seems to ! aggravate the patient's condition. "The increased rates.' said one member of the commission, "instead I of Increasing' railroad revenues have diminished them. I KILL BUSINESS. "Why? Simply because present rates are so high they kill business. "The long haul traffic transcontinental transcon-tinental traffic has been choked off by the high rates. And It ws the long haul business that furnished the really profitable shipments. "It Is cheaper to shin from points east of Chicago by rail to Atlantic ports and reshlp by water to Paclflo porta thsn it la to ship direct by rail. DIVERTED TO SHIPS. . "To an Increasing eitent the present pres-ent rail rates will force the diversion of freight from rail to water both Ltland and deep water. i "A consolidation of ths lines into a - limited ' number of systems wltl undoubtedly make possible some economies and some Increase In efficiency. ef-ficiency. But whether even that will put the roads on a stable footing; is doubtful. "President ' Harding. I understand. In a recent conference with eVnator Cummins appro! the consolidation plan, it will tfie of the biggest . problems with tl his admlnlstra j r tion will have to seaL" IJ |