The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-28
WASHINGTON.
SUNDAYS GOSSIP AND NEWS At THE
FEDERAL CAPITAL.
RAIL WAY RATES AND THE IN
TER-STATE COMMERCE. CON-
MISSION
Various Items.

/ WASHINGTON, d. c., January 81
The Interstate Commerce Commission
has published an opinion on the subject o
passenger tariff and rate wars prepared
by Chairman Cooley
The paper narrates the facts attending
the war on passenger rates AT ST LoGi.
in October, and also the circumstances
Of the passenger rate war which pre-
vailed al Chicago in December, both of
which were investigated by the commits.
sion.
In the ST. Louis case east bound lin.
tied fares We're reduced by all OF the
lines from S2200 to $3.50 to $1,000. II
was found the provisions of the act to
+ regulate commerce We're not complied
/ with, and that the reductions. in the
manner in which they were made, were
not only Illegal but were unwise and in
furious 20 the carriers who took part in
the warfare, az well as to the public.
/ The Chicago rate was extended over
the lines running 10 ST. Paul, Mnneapo-
lis, kansis City and ST. Louis. It's char
acteristic feature was the fact that tick
cts were placed in the hands OF brokers
or scalpers To De sold at rates below the
taril rates, and that the roads excused
themselves FOR their dealings with bro
kers by claiming the right 10 pay com
mission al Will
The business OF the ticket-brOkers was
investigated, and many facts are stated
he act to regulate commerce fOrbids
determinations between passengers, and
f0rbids the sale Of tickets at a greater or
lower rate than the established schedule
Violations Of law in many respects is
pointed out
The commission recommends that the
act De amended
First To define what shall be c0nsid-
cred excursion and cOmmutation tickets
Second. To prohibit ell payment of
commissions on the sale of tickets, and
all sale of tickets for inter State business
except by the regular agents OF the car
riers
Third To require the carrier to pro
vide for the speedy and convenient re-
demptiOn Of unused tickets or coupons.
Previous recommendations in respect
90 amendments relating TO joint tariffs
and notices of reduction OF rates are re-
newed
EXTRA SESSION TALK REVIVED.
The fact that the Mills bill, with the
Senate substitute, was Yesterday sent to
the Ways and Means Committee has re-
yiyed, in Republican circles at least, the
talk Of an extra session. The Repub-
licans accept the reference as an assur-
ance that no tariff legislation will be had
this Congress They say that some re-
duction Of the revenue is desirable and
necessary, and this can be reached only
By an extra session.
Mr. Mckinley, who has heretofore
been rather adverse to an extra session
to-day voiced the sentiment Of the CON
seryatiye element when be said to a rep
resentatiye Of the United States press,
that the vote OF reference had done more
10 make likely an extra session than any
thing else in the past six weeks.
PETITIONS FAyOBING THE REPEAL OF
THE TOBACCO TAX.
Petitions and memorials from North
Carolina and Virginia, fayorng the re-
peal of the tobacco tax are being pre-
sented 10 Congress daily. During the
past week seven have been presented.
Under the rules they are referred to the
Ways and Means committee. As the
COWles BILL in whose favor these petit
tions are presented, has, by order of the
House, been referred to the Appropria-
tion committee, some Of the Southern
members are complaining that they
should 90 10 that committee, and an ef-
fort 10 have them 50 referred may be
made in the House tomorrow The
members argue that the member OF the
Appropriation committee cannot know
Of the intense interest felt throughout
the country in the repeal of the tobacco
tax unless the petitions faYoring 1t are
sent 10 the committee having the bill un-
der consideration, and not 20 the Ways
and Means committee, which by the vote
of reference, was virtually discharged
from consideration Of the subject.