Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-26

stations and TO publish for the benefit of
the public all rates, fares and charges
for the transportation of passengers and
property within the state, and such sched-
ules must have the approval of the COM
missions. which shall have power from
time to tina, In their discretion, to deter
mine and prescribe such changes as may
be de med expedient. No changes in
rates can be made except after thirty
days public notice. No special rates, re-
bates, drawbacks or any preference shall
be given to any person or corporation or
to any locality. but all patrons of the
railroads shall be treated precisely alike.
Issue of Passes.
Railway companies, however, are au-
.horized to issue mileage. excursion and
Communication tickets to the public, with
special rates and privileges, subject to
the approval of the commission. and 1t Is
also lawful ito Issue passenger trans
portation in exchange for advertising
space in newspapers at full rates"
1t Is entirely probable that the rate law
passed by Congress a year ago will be
amended to the same effect at the ap-
proac ching session. Several propositions
have already been introduced and favor
ably considered by the committees OF
both houses at the instance Of the Ma
tional Editorial Association and other or
CARNATIONS of newspaper men, who In
sist that Congress never intended to pro-
hfbit the payment for advertising space
by the issue of passenger transportation.
This specific exception in the New York
law will undoubtedly have considerable
influence with Congress.
All transpo tation in exchange for other
specs al considerations is prohibited and
the anti-pass section of the federal rate
law Is copied almost verbatim into the
New York act The only persons to
u free radncoQ rates can
be issued are the officers, employees sur
geons and attorneys of the railway COM
panies and their families, ministers of re-
ligion, Officers and employees of railway
Y. NJ. c. As, inmates of hospitals and
charitable institutions. destitute and
homeless persons when transported by
charitable societies, persons exclusively
engaged in charity work, disabled soldiers
and sailors on their way to and from
national and state homes, employees OF
the railway mail service, post office in
spectors, customs and immigration in
spectors. employees of sleeping car, ex-
press, telegraph and telephone compa-
MES doing business on the line. baggage
agents. newsboys. witnesses attending
legal proceedings in which the common
carrier is interested, persons injured in
railway accidents, with attending physi-
clans and nurses. persons and property
going to or from eXpositions in the in
terest of the United States or state and
municipal governments, persons engaged
in contracts for the construction, ope "a
ton or maintenance OF the railway con-
cerned, where such free transportation Is
provided for in the contracts for such
work.
Nothing In this act snail be construed
to prohibit the interchange of free or re-
duced transportation between common
carriers for their officers. employees.
agents, attorneys and surgeons, and their
families. nor to prohibit any common
carrier from carrying passengers or prop
erty free with the object of providing re-
lief in cases Of general epidemics pesti-
lence or other calamitous visitations
Adequacy Of Service.
The commission has the power to de-
termine whether common carriers afford
reasonable, proper and equal facilities
TO- the transportation of passengers and
freight, and may order at any time ad-
ditional facilities, If deemed necessary
Each commission has general supervision
over the operations of all common car
riers within its jurisdiction. not only with
respect to the adequacy, surety and ac-
commodations afforded by their service
but also with respect to their compliance
with all provisions of the law. orders of
the commissions and charter require
ments Each commission has the power