Postponed

Last week the Interstate Commerce Commission announced that it would adjourn "for the summer months" on July 29. Inasmuch as the proposed railway mergers of the Van Sweringen brothers (TIME, Aug. 18, Apr. 6, 27, June 8, BUSINESS) are before the Commission awaiting approval or rejection, the adjournment will probably prevent action until fall. Since the Van Sweringen merger is a "test case," other mergers will probably be postponed accordingly.

Announcing adjournment, the Commission also announced the assumption of new work. Last winter Congress passed a resolution (TIME, Feb. 9, CONGRESS), directing the Commission to make an inquiry with a view to lowering freight rates on agricultural products suffering from price depression. Recently, Western railroads asked for an 11% increase in rates. On Sept. 1, the commission will begin an inquiry in the Western district with three objects: 1) To find out what agricultural products need lower freight rates; 2) to determine what reductions may be made in such rates; 3) to ascertain on what products freight rates may be increased to compensate for the reduction in rates on farm products.

Some of the more important decisions of the Commission during the past year include:

1) Refused to abolish the railway surcharge of 50% on Pullman car tickets or to reduce it. (Saved the railways $40,000,000.)

2) Refused to order the railways to issue interchangeable (good on any road) mileage books at a 20% discount. (Saved the railways $60,000,000.)

3) Refused a reduction in Western grain rates. (Saved the railways $20,000,000.)

4) Refused an application to reduce rates of California fruits and vegetables. (Saving indefinite.)