Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-24
IN THE OLD DOMINION
RATE HEARING
NEARING ITS CONCLUSION.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


RICHMOND, Va, February %, 1907.
The corporation commission will shortly
finish the hearing of evidence of the rail-
roads in opposition to the PRONUNCIATION Of
the two-cent rate for passengers in this
state. The hearing has been in progress
now for nearly year. and in that time
all the railroads have filed answers and
presented arguments against the plan. The
commission has yet to hear few unim-
portant matters in connection with the sub
ject and it Is expected that the consideration
of the report will be taken up within the
next thirty days. The belief Of those who
have followed the matter since 1t was first
begun is that the commission will decide
adversely to the railroads, and that the
two-cent rate will be ordered during the
summer. The matter will go to the courts.
so that it will be at least a year before
the end is reached.
A proposition Is to be made the next ses-
sion of the general assembly to elect COM
missioners by vote of the people. At this
time they are appointed by the governor,
each governor appointing two for term Of
six years each. The commission has proven
a most popular department of the govern
ment, for the members of the commission
are independent of the general assembly
themselves. The new constitution pro-
vides that after 1905 the general assembly
may direct the selection of the commits
sioners by the people.
In the Eighth District.
The Star correspondent paid a visit to
several of the counties in the eighth con-
gressional district yesterday and had an
opportunity to ascertain something Of the
sentiment regarding the election of q sue
cessor to John F. Rixey, who represented
that section for many years. In Louisa
and Orange the impression is that r. Lind
say Gordon of Louisa will have the support
of the people. Culpeper will divide between
John F. Ryan. speaker of the house of
delegates of Virginia for many years. and
Judge Charles E. Nicol. Alexandria county
and city, Fairfax, King George. Stafford
and Fauquier will be the fighting ground
for Mr.. Carlin and Judge Nicol. while Mr..
Ryan will have good following In Loudoun.
Orange. Fauquier and Fairfax. Judge Nicol
will also have support in those counties.
and his home county. Prince William is
almost certain to pay him tribute that
will surprise the other candidates. At this
time it is the race Of either Of the four.
Farmer T. c. Pitcher of Fauquier is
expected to enter the contest and to add to
the complication. Should he enter he will
appeal strongly to the farmer element. and
have a telling effect. and there are many
who express the belief that he would win.
So far there is nothing to indicate that
tGov. Swanson will order special election
4
he will do SO unless it is apparent that an
extra session of Congress- viii be held. This
will give the candidates about five or six
months of real good work. and they would
each have to be on the move all the time.
Washington's Birthday.
Never before In the history of the state
has the observance Of the birthday of
George Washington been 50 generally cele-
brated as was the case Friday All the
state departments, were closed except the
library. Gov. Swanson went to his Offices
for a few moments and then returned to the
executive mansion. The officials Of the
state enjoyed the days rest. In the after
noon the Richmond Howitxers. an old mill
tary organization, fred q salute on Capitol
Hill. At night there were a number of ipri-
vate entertainments in honor of the day,
| while the schools celebrated the occasion
| with patriotic exercises.
Corporations May Lose Charters.
| There is danger of many Of the corpora
| tions Of the state forfeitfng their charters