The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-06-26
RAILROAD NEWS.
All Missouri Lines Order New
Tariffs Complied.
Two Cent Basis to Be Applied to
All Traffic.
RATE SHEETS NEEDED
State Court Suits Dismissed
Pending Federal Court Action.
Other Items Of Interest to
Railway People.

St Louis, June 26.-The general pas
senger agents of the Missouri lines yes
terday, in accordance with the senti-
ment of the conference Friday In Chi
cago of the executive officers. directed
the compilation of state and Interstate
passenger tariffs upon the basis of the
2-cent rate put in effect as a result of
the action of United States Judge Nc
Pherson at Kansas City. when the rail-
roads sought to enjoin the enforcement
of the 2-cent rate law.
The action followed a conference at
the offices of Chairman Hannegan of
t me southwestern Passenger Bureau in
the Missouri Trust building at which
the application of the reduced rate to
both state and interstate traffic was dis
cussed at considerable length.
The new tariffs will be put in effect
as rapidly as they can be compiled. the
thirty days notice requirement of the
federal law being waived by the inter-
state commerce commission on the
grounds that the present situation con.
stitutes an emergency.
1t was also the opinion of the general
passenger agents, unanimously develop
ed at yesterdays meeting. that the q
cent rate should be regarded as the
minimum as well as the maximum rate
in effect hereafter. In this the general
passenger agents believe themselves in
officials and the legislators enacting the
new law. This does not affect the sur
burban or commuters fares which will
not be disturbed
A leading passenger official discuss
ing the situation developed as result
of the new law, said that the compila-
ton of the new tariffs on the basis of
the 2-cent rate was necessary in order
that a fair test of the 2-cent law might
be made under the order Of Judge Nc
Pherson.
He pointed out that with an adjoining
state permitting a Scent rate it was
only natural that a traveller, whose
route lay through Missouri should buy
a ticket at his starting point only to the
Missouri line and there purchase
another ticket at the Missouri rate to
his destination, if it be in Missouri, or
to the state line again il his route be
entirely across the state, where he
would again buy to his destination.
Under such a situation as this, it was,
pointed out that that portion Of the
route through Missouri would, by reason
of the method of purchase, count as
Missouri business and. go to swell the
total, which would be used as a test of
the effect of the 2-cent law on Missouri
business. $500 .-a
AS a matter of fact 1T was pointed out
it would, under such circumstances, be
impossible to determine the exact
amount of business really belonging to
Missouri. Hence, it was the opinion of
all officials the only way to ascertain
the exact amount of Missouri business
was to establish entirely new rate
sheets, in which the Missouri figure
should be used as a basis for caieu-
lating both state and interstate traffic
rates, instead of employing the 3-cent
rate for Interstate traffic and the 2-cent
rate for state business.
Attorney General Hadley yesterday
dismissed the suits against Missouri
railroads filed in the circuit court of St
Louis to make the new maximum
freight law effective by enjoining the
roads from charging the old rates for
handling freight. This action was ta-
ken to await the action of the federal
court where suits brought by the rail-
roads to enjoin the state officials from
enforcing the maximum freight Law
passed over two years ago are pend
ing.
Judge Reynolds yesterday dissolve..
the temporary injunction issued against
the roads to make effective the new 2
cent passenger law. This was done be-
cause the roads are obeying the new law
and will continue to do SO for three
months under an agreement formulated
by the roads, the attorney general and
Judge Smith Mcpherson of the United
States District court at Kansas City,
who will pass upon the constitutionality
In w