Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-11-25

The following correspondence that has
passed bstvesn the Interstate Commerce
commission and the railroad commission
ere Of this State viii be faund interesting
reading:
0rfIcK OF THE AuDIroR,
ISrEa,SrArk c. xxERcg Commissions.
WAsRINGroH, Nov. 10, 1891. J
Hon. d. N. Mostisnd, Chairman. Railroad
Commission. RockiAnd, Me.
Desr Sr.-Mapy Of the questions pre-
sehted to this eommiseion ofsen pertain in
part 10 usfiic passing between points il the
same state In tie dispositi ms Of such qSes-
tioas il is frtqaeatiy Important 70 know
whether the STATE commissions prescribe
rules or rates covering particular traffic.
For the purpose of having At haad Sll
information relating to rates, fares, classi-
6esi;ons and rules governing the same. l
beg TO ask that you will kirdiy supply this
cffice with copies OF saritfs announcing
rates for either ffeishts or passenger tfaf
ic, copies Of ciassifcAtioas and rules per-
taiuirg thereto snd Of any other rssula
tions promulgated by youe commission
from time to time in any way Affecting the
rates, fares or charges to the public.
Trusting that you may dnd iG agreeable
TO comply s;,h this request. IremAin.
Very respectfully yours.
c. G. MCCAIN, Auditor.
STATE OF MAINE. !
DEPARTMENT OF RAILROADS,
AUGUSTA, Nov 2i, 1891. J
HoN C: c. MCCAIN, Auditor Interstate
Conmsrcs Commission, Washington,
d. c.:
Dear Sir-Your favor of ths 9th inst,
m.kiGa inquiry ~ to whether or not, the
railroad commissioners Of Maine ''pr,-
scribe rules or rates governing particular
traffic ." is at hand.
In reply, l am pleased to state that the
statutes Of Maine impose no such powers
or duties upon the board Of railroad com
IN lssioners, excepi that sect. Of chap.er
81 Of the Revised Statutes OF the State pro-
vides as folloss: "Ssid corporations may
establish and collect such tolls for the
of,petsops and freight over
its road as the directors deem fair and
and shall have lien on lis
freight therefor; but upon what shsll, at
any time, be deemed by the railroad COM
missioners suffi sient complaint BY utter.
G s.ed and responsible parties that the tells
are uureasonably high. said commissioners
may revise and establish them, sitter due
notice and hearing, for time not exceed
ing one year. But the commissioners. be-
fore directing said hearing, shall give op-
porluuity to the company complained OF to
reply to the charge"
Under the foregoing provisions. it will
be seen that the board of railroad commits
sioners in this State have but limited
powers in respect to fixing traffic rates.
The Leeislsiures OF this State have here
.ctore believed sbst those Who have ex-
pended their money aud have constructed
and operated \ railroad in par
ticular locality are better judaes
of what are and what are not reasonable
rates or charges, than any commissioners
can be, and further that railroad corpor-
atioDs have right to a reasonable and pro-
e sble return for the morey invested in aoy
euch enterprise. The railroads in Maine.
have been operated in such manner that
no complaint hss ever been made 20 the
board OF railroad commissioners even under
the provisions Of the above quoted statute.
remain,
Very respectfully yours,
d. N. MoRTLAND, Chairman.