The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-07
TALKED OF THEIR PASSES
 --e- Railroad Commission at
 Work. NO REDUCTION OF RATES Commission Will Take No Action Because of Injunction. Commission Considered Many Conn pIaints that Railroads Dsd Not Properly Bulletin Trains.
 Circular Sent Out.
 

At the regular January meeting of the Railroad Commission of Alabama yesterday several matters of minor importance were considered and the free railroad passes expiring January 1, which were issued to the members of the Commission last year. were turn ed in to Secretary Kennedy to be sent back to the roads. with thanks--that new ones might be issued.
 One of the most important matters brought to the attention of the Com mission was that of the inadequate service tn at the railroads generally are giving in keeping their bulletin boards properly posted. Several letters of complaint were on file. and the dis cussion resulted in the Issuance or a circular letter to all of the railroads notifying them that the amended sec- tion of the railroad code, making 1t incumbent upon railroads and employees to keep trains properly posted, is to be enforced.
 According to some of the complaints received. it is the custom of the roads. or some of them. to post late train ten minutes ahead. For example, if No. 37 is thirty minutes late. making it due at 10 o'clock. it is posted thirty minutes late until 10 o'clock arrives, and then 1t is posted forty minutes late. etc.
 The amended railroad bill fixes a penalty for the punishment of railroads and employees as well. and it is the piIr- pose of the Commission to make per- sdnal investiRation wherever complaint is made and to summon officsals to as- certain who is at fault for the neglect of proper postings and punish them. The circular letter. which will be sent to the railroads. will call attention to the law providing a penalty for fail- ure to properly post trains and also that the Commission will enforce 1t. A petition from the M. J. and K. c. Railway for permission to increase rates on commodity and class freight was postponed until an Investigation can be made as to whether or not the rates will seriously effect industries and surroundinRs.
 The Commission formally refused to grant the reduced rates on claimed goods from Auburn to Montgomery, which was petitioned for by the Att lantic and West Point. The reason of-f fered for this refusal is the same that was suggested in a letter from Secre- tary Kennedy to the petitioners when the matter was first brought up. to the effect that the Commissioner does not feel disposed to regulate rates in any particular. while the injunction from the Federal Court is in effect,
 The permission which was given to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad some time ago by Secretary Kennedy to reduce the rates on coke. between Gadsden and Anniston. was withdrawn on the same ground as is based the re- fusal to grant the lowering of the rates on canned goods from Auburn to Montgomery.
 Permission was granted to close the agency at Hardwick. It was shown that the agency does not pay, and that 4 fa
 to take it.
 It was decided to make Bogue Chitto 3 prepay station. The petition was signed by the present agent at that place. as we'll as others.
 The case of the Fairford Lumber