The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-09-03

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.-The Interstate
commerce commission, By a decision to-
day IN the matter OF the passenger rates
disturbance OF the Canadian Pacific. in-
yo.v!ns the propriety Of dlfYerentiaI pass
engcr rates between Eastern points AID
the Pacific coast, held that the Canadian
Pacific is not entitled 70 the differential
con,ended FOR. The case is one of the most
important that has been before the COM
mission for long time. the American rail-
road lines and the Canadian Pacific hay-
ing been engaged six months or more IN
a war over passenger traffic between the
East and West. The decision says:
1T must be distinctly understood
tha; We do not recommend the
settlement OF this controversy by max
ing any agreement involving arbitration or
otherwise which is tn violation OF The anti
trust law as interpreted by the United
States supreme court. Such features OF ire
past or future history Of this controversy
as may in our Judgment render appro-
pirate any statement or recommendation 10
congress will be presented in our annual
report 10 that body. So far as our official
action can affect the matter, We conclude
that we ouEM no: a present 10 rescsnd
the suspension OF orders made heretofore.
but X the difficulty should be adjusted in
accordance with the views here expressed.
* may become our duty TO revoke the
permission granted by those orders"
Cause OF the Trouble.
The passenger tariff war involved in this
dispute also applies between ST. Paul and
other localities and points on the Pacific
coast, waich arose from the refusal os the
American lines longer to continue allow
!ng the Canadian Pacific a dlfferential ba-
sis under which fares from the East 70 Pa
cI.ic coast points by that route were less
than those BY the American lines by Ss.so
on frs, class and s. on second class busi-
ness. Very large reductions in rates have
beer, made during the contest. The Cana
dian Pacific reduced the first Class fare
from Boston to Seattle frs: from s.I.'5 TO
SO. and then, On March 10 last, 10 s89'
This was after the commission had sus-
pended the long and short haul cause 20
enst,ie The American lines 10 meet the rates
made BY the Canadian Pacific. This order
was 10 expire on June %. bnt On June 2
.hn snsrension Was extended By the COM
mission until January /. 1924. ard aooat
..e sine this MAS done the present inquiry
Was instituted.
Investigation was made in Chicago on
August !. iS9S. and the decision TOW reH-
aerea ls based upon the facts then d!sc.os-
ea, The decision says
xxhx uln.rrntists Were Granted.
...res dr.ss agreement for a dsfferental III
80. ar- eeeA
,xt,en the Trauscoatlaental Assoc4at'on
vas formed. The Great &or'hCrn became
a .ranscontinsntal line IN is<a made large
r.afrn.3szf.ss in passenger rates from 81 Paul
"a 4hs Pacific coast ana II subsequently
aer.et +, give the Canadian Pacific All all
ran connection 20 Ssa;ile, Tacoma and
Portland. n ret,.gn f0- which tes Canadian
Pacific direrentia1s thTopen s. Paul we're
waived and he Great Northern OBTAINED
.~s9r service 20 Vancouver. Ts@ 6neTen-
,sa,s ve~e. however. continued on t&s C2-
.saisn par4Hs rnaln l'ne un.5l after the sG
r.-en,s rosrt ~ the tinted State decided
fhs Trans n 5sSs1ur{ F'TesgA: Association
cssA under RE a..sj-7fgst law Tbs thfn
.xssttne srau<co9sloent44 association Was
the~earon dissolved
American Line. Cat First
The f<3anAke travel SION after assumed
considerable yola-ue ara the Canadian Pa
ela, faara unon inquiry that sleks;s weTe
le.ng ~.t4 ~ tas asa~tcan Lnes AZ fro:n
80 10 81 less thar sAs:r ear.N rates :he
s-fr.-esssseuss tsia4, -3aae thr7esb Increased
rasr,g.ss7ous ai,oaeJ "a 5,eket aeeats. tt
A,,.r.-er 1.-.e asserted sha. tAe cana-
asan Pacific nad slsa e4t tAe RATES a.st re-
sisted .ss; tAl< pas not material 81 tAs