The San Francisco call., 1906-08-26
HALF FARE BARRED
BY RATE BILL.
Privileges Long Enjoyed
by Clergy and Mill.
tary Are Affected.
HERRIN SO RULES


The act designs to over
come any possibility of discrimination
in favor of any particular class of per-
sons. 1t is therefore my opinion, as well
as that Of my associates in this depart
nent, that you should apply it to the
military. ministers and missionaries.
and their respective dependents, as you
would to all other classes of persons
travelling over the lines OF the Harri-
man system"
This ruling was handed Gown to the
passenger traffic department Of the
Southern Pacific Company yesterday by
Chief Counsel Herrin and is concurred
in by Chief Counsel Cornish OF the Har-
riman lines, who has been IN this city
for several days II is a conclusion ar
rived at by the law department of the
Southern Pacific. relative to the half
fare privileges that have been enjoyed
for years by army and navy officers and
the members of their immediate fam
ilies. and ministers and missionaries
who are wont to travel backward and
forward over the company's lines That
this privilege, which was permissible
under the old act. viii rot be tolerated
under the new interstate commerce act
that goes into effect throughout the
United States on August %, is plainly
suggested in the decision requested
by Passenger Traffic Manager Fee of
chief counsel. It win be a hard blow
TO the military and clergy but the
railroad company sees no way to
avoid IL.
For several weeks there had been a
question in the minds of Harriman's
traffic officials as to whether the new
act was really intended to reach as far
as these heretofore favored classes of
travellers. II was finally referred to the
law department and the latter u2quali-
tiedly declared that the application
should be Eaade. Therefore, after August
2S, travelling VIII be more expensive for
some.
For years and long before the other
Western lines entered into the custom
the Southern Pae. e.fic chcerfclly per-
nlitted minister's, missionaries and all
others accredited to religious orga ia
tions to ride over its lines or a If
rate. The same privilege was extended
to officers OF the army and the navy
and TO those dependent on them in
cases where the oniccrs pTere travelling
at their own exp ase and when not
under orders. 1t was & raie t1at was
finally adopted by all the Western
roads, which recog lrized the + ct that
members of the military. who are not
Overpaid, often have to journey many
IiiieS 10 see lhelF -afnilieS or the Iam-
lilies have to trarel many miles to join
their eyer-moving heads, and the half
rate privilege meant q great saving to
the officers. With the members of the
religious Bodies the same condition. of
affairs was supposed to exist and they
were likewise favored.
Thousands were benefited by this
privilege but after August % they will
have TO pay the full railroad fare, like
any other patron OF the road.
Chief Counsel Herrin has so ruled
and his associates IN the law depart
-nent ot the Southern Pacific Company
believe that Il e has ruled wisely 1t
was reported yesterday that Chief
Counsel Norton of the Santa re Com
pan has aflssis ID ssthe officials of that
road. IN The same way. What applies
in the case o. one transcontinentaI
road applies with another