Los Angeles herald., 1907-06-16
COLLECTION OF
FEE CONFUSES
AsS0CIAT|0
Commissions Ruling
Bothers
Drawbacks VIII Have No Effect on
Holding N. E. A. Convention
or on Vast Throng
Expected

Wires between Los Angeles and the
east are being kept humming as a re-
suit of the decision of the interstate
commerce commission not to permit
the railroads to collect the member
ship fee of the N. E. A., which will
meet in Los Angeles from July to
49, From Chicago. persistent rumors
have been circulated, seemingly with
malicious intent, to the effect that
the association was doomed, and the
convention would not be held. De-
malls from DR.. Irwin Sheppard, Sec
retary of the association, followed; ;
and last night F. Q. Story, chairman
of the local executive committee, to
whom has been intrusted all local ar
rangements, said:
"As chairman of the local executive
committee in charge of the arrange
ments for the coming N. E. A. conven-
ton, desire to state that the con-
vention will positively be held at the
time appointed and that l anticipate
a very much larger number in at
tendance at the meeting than were
hara in 1899.
II regret exceedingly that there
should have been a misunderstanding
between the interstate commerce
commission and the national secretary,
DR.. Sheppard, as TO how the two dol
lar membership fee should be collect
ed. Those intending to come to the
convention are only interested in this
two dolla- proposition, as the rail-
roads all over the country have
agreed to the one fare rate.
1.-The interstate commerce commits
sion has ruled that the railroads may
issue reduced rate excursion tickets
limited to the members of a particular
association or society Any person
who sees fit may become member of
he Ia
Therefore, any one who desires may
come to the convention at the re-
duced rate
Tells Commissions Stand
W. d. Stephens, president of the
Los Angeles chamber of commerce,
received a telegram from Franklin K.
Lane, commissioner of the interstate
commerce commission, which stated
forcibly the commissions stand on the
question. The communication is as
follows:
Washington, D. c.. June "a. 1907.
w. D. Stephens, President Chamber
of Commerce, Los Angeles, CAL:
Answering your inquiry and for
public information, 1 append circular
issued yesterday by commission with
relation to National Educational asso-
citation matter.
The association knew before Christ
turn railroads into collectors; prece-
dent is altogether too dangerous. Have
given matter full considerat ton.
Circular reads as follows: After
investigation and formal hearing the
commission expressed the opinion that
1t would be unlawful for the carriers
to collect as part of their charges for
transportation membership dues in the
National Educational association.
and after conference with attor-
ney of the association gave to
said attorney ruling that the COM
missions rule entitled round trip
tickets on the certificate plan" In
tariff circular No. A of December
81, 1906, permits issuance of reduced
rate excursion tickets limited to the
members of a particular association or
society," and with such time limit as
may be fixed by carriers upon condi- |
tion that such tickets shall be vaIi- |
dated for return at the place where |
such convention is held and upon GER
tificate of designated officer of such |
association, and that no other or fur !
ther certificate is necessary. Subse-
Quent to this some carriers arranged |
for the sale of round trip tickets on |
the certificate plan open only to MEM
bers of the National Educational asso-
citation and in connection with the |
convention of the association at Los
for validation of such tickets for re-
turn at number of Pacific coast |
points far remote from that at which |
the convention is to be held and for |
the sale at such points of certificates |
of membership in the National Educa-
tional association.
Plan Unlawful
The commission on June announced |
It's opinion that this plan was unlaw-
ful and improper in the two features
that ~ it provided for valuation of
tickets at numerous points other than
that at which the convention for
which the rate is made is to be held,
and (2) it advertised for sale at vari-
GUS points other than that at which the
convention is to be held certificates
upon which validation would be given
On June 12 the commission gave to
the secretary of the National Educa-
tional association reaffirmation of it's
originally expressed views, and said
that the commission believes it con-
sistent, proper and lawful for the car
riers to arrange if they so elect a
round trip excursion rate upon the
certificate plan, certificates to be re-
quired either at the time of the pur-
chase of the ticket or on presentation
for valuation, open only to members
of bona fide association, to give
such time limit as they may elect and
to provide for validation only upon
presentation Of certificate of men,
bership from a proper officer of the
association on account of which the
excursion rate is granted, provided
that valuation for return is given on
ly at the point where the convention
or meeting on account of which the
rate is given is held and provided
that the association collects its own
dues and assessments in the customary
and ordinary ways and without assist
ance from the carriers
Commission Wants to Help
1t has been the disposition and de-
sire OF the commission from the start
to be helpful in this matter, which
desire and disposition are still enter
tanned. The commission has no wish
to enbarrass carriers or disappoint
would-be passengers, but it promises 1
in this, as in other matters, to adhere
to the law and to countenance only
proper practice hereunder. In order
that the commissions insistence upon
compliance with lawful practice NAV
not operate to disappoint any who
desired to avail themselves of this ex-
cursion rate and attend the oonven