The San Francisco call., 1906-10-04
IN FOG OVER NEW
RAILROAD LAW.

Notice has just been received by the
local railroads that no interstate ex-
cursion rates may be made without
first notifying the commission.
If the excursion Is not for more than
three days the commission Will require
only one days notice; If for more tnan
three DAYS and not more than thirty 1t
will require three days notice and II
for a greater length of time the usual
thirty days notice
In the same notice the commission
advises the railroads that nothing but
money can be lawfully accepted in pay
ment for transportation. which estab-
fishes the Interstate transportation of
all kinds passenger and freight. on a
strictly cash basis, with the exception
of the few favored classes enumerated
In the law.
FILING OF TARIFFS.
Another notice of the commission
| gives rules as to how and IN what form
tariffs can be filed. Each road must act
for itself so the lines cannot get to-
gether and file one tariff covering sched-
llles of both companies except that an
initial line may act for its connections
if the connections so notify the COM
mission. All ordinary freight class
rates shall be filed in a tariff by them
selves and commodity rates in an index
alphabetical form by themselves.
these
prevent the issuance of more than fve
sunnlements to a tariff, it was hoped
nv the commission to have the 100000
rates which ii will probably receive
each year so classified that anybody,
including members of the commission,
can go to the files and find rate In
any part of the country on any artlcle
without consulting an interpreter in
the person of an experienced raliroad
man.
The commission has notified the rail-
roads that interstate tickets must not
he extended as to time limits on ac-
count of illness of passengers. Unless
modified, this rule will make great
MANY passengers who come to Cali
fornia for the benefit of their health
and who do not get we'll within the
time limit of their tickets. either Tor
felt their tickets or have them re-
deemed by the railroad companies at
the valuation they elect to pay me
California lines have always EXTENDED
the time limits of tickets Of people
detained by illness.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has decided that in certain in
stances rates may be changed in less
than the period of thirty days, but
has ruled that in each case applica-
ton must be made to the commission
and has prescribed telegraphic form
under which the application may be
made.
DISCUSS PROVISIONS.
The traffic officials of the Western
lines. including Passenger Traffic Man
aper G. s. Fee and Freight Traffic
Manager H. A. Jones of the Southern
Pacific. General Passenger Agent
James Horsburgh Jr. of the same line,
are by invitation of the commission
discussing the various rules at meet
ing in Chicago, and their suggestions
as to the practicability of these rules
will be considered by the commission
early in October.
All of the different questions that
have arisen in connection with the
new law during the past sixty days
are being considered
There are as many interpretations
of the law almost as there are rail-
road lawyers and railroad companies
Some of the lines have decided that
they can advertise in newspapers In
exchange for transportation. providing
that advertising be on a cash basis of
the value of each Others believe that
no transportation can be issued to
newspapers hereafter.
Some of the lines. including the Har-
riman system, have decided that they
can give special rates to army and
navy people and other United States
Government employees, but the lines
east of the Missouri River hold gen.
eralIy TO a contrary opinion.