NNONTTANA NtrIUS

By R. V. PETERSEN executive secretary

tTtHE Interstate Commerce CommisI sion has been asked by the railroads for permission to assess an emerg'ency surcharge of 2)6% on freight. A joint petition by eastern and western railroads asks that the surcharge apply on all freight ship- ments except lumber and lumber products.

Those commodities would be subject to a 2 cents per hundrcdweight increase, with' certain loading restrictions, the increases to be effective January t, 7972, pending a g:eneral lncrease.

ICC has permitted railroads to re- tain the increased demunage charges of $10 per day for each of the first four days, 920 for each of the next two days, and 930 for each subsequent day, .thus overruling a March decision which found the proposed increases not just and reasonable, However, ICC has disallowed provisions which made Saturdays, Sundays and holidays chargeable days when the last day of free time is the day prior to the Saturday, Sunday or holiday.

Remember that the current 5.2Vo Social Security Tax on employees and employers will, in 1972, apply to the first 99000 of wages instead of- the first $7800 as at present. lumber Association of Southern California