Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-10-01


tive officers committee. appointed
about two months ago by all the rail
roads in the country west of Chicago
| to study the doubtful points in the
new rate law and TO secure the ad-
vice of counsel regarding them. has
completed the preparation of the com
mittees report on passenger matters.
The report. which takes the form Of
answer to 80 questions propOunded by
| the various railway companies. deals
with almost every phase of passenger
transportation under the new law and
especially with the questions which
have been raised relative TO granting
| reduced rates and free transportation.
The report has not the authority of
| ruling by the interstate commerce
commission. but as in getting it ready
| the committee not only consulted with
the most eminent legal counsel. but
also got informally the views of the
commission. and as it will serve as
guide to all the roads. both east and
west. until rulings upon the matters it
deals with shall be made formally by
the commission. it is regarded as one
of the most important documents deal
ing with the new rate law which have
yet been prepared y similar report
on freight matters will be made later
by the same committee.
Parts of Report.
The report which is addressed TO
James Charlton. chairman of the
TranscOntinental Passenger associa-
ton and is signed by Mr.. Stubbs, is in
part as follows:
Land and immigration Agents
Free transportation cannot be given
land and immigration agents unless
they are employees in such sense that
the carriers legally could give them
transportation as a pass or gratuity.
Land Seekers and Settlers.-There
is no authority in law for making low
er rates to land seekers and settlers
than for other Travellers
This seems to knock out the home
seekers excursions which the west
ern lines all have been running for
years.
Issue of Transportation in Payment
for Advertising.-The law committee
advised this cannot be done. 1t is gen
orally accepted, however, that carriers
may carry an open account with pub
fishers and that publishers may carry
an open account with carriers for adj
vertising. and that these accounts can
be balanced periodically. The balance.
whatever it may be. must be paid in
cash. The transaction must be devoid
of previous agreement that the service
done by either party for the other is
to be paid for in any other way than
by cash.
The committee holds that railway
companies operating their own sleep
ing cars must publish and file their
sleeping car rates. 1t does not believe
baggage and transfer companies come
within the term common carriers.
and are thereby made amenable to the
act. although the matter is open to
question.
1t holds that the exception of rail
way mail service employees. postoffice
inspectors. customs inspectors. immi-
grafton inspectors. newsboys on trains.
baggage agents and managers of sol
diers' homes from the free pass prohi !
bition permits them to be hauled on !
personal and individual account as
well as while on duty. Special reduced |
rates may be made for federal and |
state troops and officers and employees !
of the United States geological survey |
and reclamation service, in the future |
as in the past.
Doctors Are Exempt.
The words of the law excepting lin
mates of hospital and charitable and
ellemosynary institutions and persons
engaged i'm charitah HE and missionary