Show I 1 REFORMS mm ARE prescribed SWEEPING reductions IN EX PRESS RATES RECO MENDED BY COMME COMMERCE R CE C commission conclusions reached by commission may constitute a long lomg step toward tho the solution of the problem of the high cost of living washington sweeping reductions in express rates averaging in general approximately fifteen per cent drastic reforms in regulations anti and practices and comprehensive changes in the methods of operation are prescribed in a report made public sunday by tho the interstate commerce commission of its investigation into the business of the thirteen great express companies of the united states dealing with the identity of interest between the various companies the report finds that these companies compari leg are separate legal entities but are very le losely closely related the inquiry was the most extensive s and jn wealth of infinite detail tail probably the most thorough ever prosecuted by the commission it was waa conducted and nd the report was prepared by commissioner franklin IC lane it has been in progress for nearly three years the report itself takes printed pages it involved au an examination and comparison of practically more than express rates in effect in this country in addition to an examination of millions of way bills and an investigation through the books of the companies of their financial operations and business methods commissioner lane la Is of the opinion ophilo rr that the conclusions reached conati tuto a long step towards the solution of that gravest problem of the american householder he high cost ot of living |