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Show oo RAILROADS MAKING FINAL ARGUMENTS WASHINGTON, June 9. Counsel for railroads and shippers of the east presented their final arguments on tho proposed 15 per cent increase in freight rates before tho interstate commerce com-merce commission today. Southern interests in-terests will bo heard Monday and the western shippers and roads on Tuesday. Tues-day. George Stuart Patterson, counsel for the eastern carriers, said that while 1916 had recorded the largest earnings in the history of the eastern roads, the average dividends for the year were only 4.33 per cent, or the lowest in 12 years. Mr. Patterson said that without an Increase in rates tho carriers would find It Impossible to properly operate and maintain their properties on the basis necessary for tho successful prosecution of tho war. . nn |