Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-15
NOT OFFICIALLY DIvUuGED
Concessions Likely to Be Granted to
the Roads.
GRAIN ELEVATOR HEARINGS
Investigations Into the Coal Roads
and Other Matters, as Directed
by Congress.

Decisions were reached by the interstate
commerce commission today on the Ques-
ton of the thirty-day notice for passenger
rates and export cotton rates. These de-
cisions may be made public tonight or WIZ
lie at any rate in a few days, but their ex-
act nature has not yet been officially d.
vulged. 1t is pretty safe to say in the mat
ter of excursion rates that the roads will
be allowed to make them without the thir-
ty-day notice, as they have always done.
There is more question as to the nature Of
the cotton decision. The law provides that
a thirty-day notice shall be given before
a joint rail and steam rate can be made,
and there have been witnesses on each side
heard, some holding that an abrogation OF
the rule would be a benefit to the cotton
planter, and some that 1t would work
hardship on him. The chances are that the
rule will be enforced with the proviso that
for short time, perhaps for a couple OF
months, the commission will exercise con-
siderable discretion in allowing a more
speedy change In rates where II is shown
that the exigencies of trade demand II.
Today's meeting was the second that the
full commission has held. Commissioner
Harlan arrived last Wednesday and was a
party to the conference today. Work has
increased enormously under the new law
and there are hundreds of kilograms and
thousands of letters of inquiry as to the ef-
feet of the new law in specific cases. The
Indications are that most of these inquiries
can be answered by general circulars. and
these the commission is preparing to issue
as soon as possible.
Must Work Ahead.
There is a large amount of work ahead
before Congress assemblies. First Of all
will come the hearing Of the Peavey case
In Chicago on Monday. This will be a
preliminary to the general subject of grain,
elevator hearings, on which two depart
mental experts are now collecting data In
the field. In addition the commission has
sent out thousands of circulars to almost
all the railroads in the United States. ask
ing to their relations with the elevators
along their lines. Answers to this circular
are pouring in, so that by the time tne
Peavey case is through in Chicago there
will be a mass of material from which to
choose in mapping out a further inquiry.
The investigation of the coal roads will
be continued all of this fall. There was
some question whether or not the commits
sion should not wind up this inquiry and
put in a report on coal carrying at a near
| date. But it has been decided to hold hear
ings at Omaha, Denver and Salt Lake City
Immediately, and the investigation VIII
probably continue till the meeting of Con-
gress. soon after which report will be
submitted.
Inc same is true OF the Dlock SlSnal ana
safety appliance inquiry which has been
ordered by Congress- There are two more
men in the field gathering data on this line.
and a report will be ready for Congress
soon after it meets.
The subject of passes has come up on in
quiry from a large number of roads as to
how far they would be allowed to issue
transportation in payment for services of
one sort and another rendered the road.
The commission will in the near future IS
sue a general statement covering very fully
this field
Five members of the commission. Chairs
man Knapp and Commissioners Prouty.
Clement. Lane and Clark, will, leave for
Chicago.
Two members Of the commission will re-
main in Washington when the others go
west on the coal and grain inquiries to-
night, but the whole membership will be
back in Washington in the course Of ten
days, after which further work will be
mapped out. =.