Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1908-01-16
NO f0STPONEMENT.
Commission Hears Argument on
Fare Reduction.

rare kcoucuon.
Austin. Jan. 1.-THE railroad com
mission convened IN open hearing
Tuesday to consider several questions
on the January docket. A large array
OF railroad men were In attendance,
drawn on account OF the proposed re
duction OF passenger fare. This ques'
ton was reached at IL o'clock and
when II was called no one appeared IN
support OF II. although the commission
was overwhelmed with petitions op-
posing reduction.
Judge Terry OF the Santa Fe sue.
gested that question be postponed un.
III next hearing. as the taking OF test.
mony of injunction rate suits will start
before that time. and evidence gath
cred win be permanent TO this propo.
ton; that II would educate both sidce,
also that no existing emergency de-
mands this action right now: that
when citizens wanted reduction In any
rate that they never hesitate to come
before the commission and ask for Il
that right now the country was ir the
throes OF panic and railroad reven.
ues have been greatly reduced; tina;
an experiment OF this magnitude
should not be tried now: that the dcia,
in taking testimony In injunction suits
was no fault OF the railroads. as m
10 ten days ago the commission had
failed to employ a stenographer, be-
sides Mr.. Cowan had been out OF the
state aud would be until the fourth
week In the month. ut which time the
taking OF testimony would begin.
Judge Stsdman said that the delay
was caused on account OF misun'
Outstanding as 20 the order appointing
II. U. Culberson rs commissioner.
Attorney Frank Andrews said thai
the commission has just inauguraiel
a system looking 10 the physical iT.
provements OF roads. and with TIE
present financial depression the roads
were trying To ret business. while
heretofore they have been trying 10
get equipment lie asked that in JUS
tice TO the roads they be allowed 10
rot experience from this depressed
period without further depression on
the part OF the commission.
Al this point, ]. NJ. Craddock OF Ter
rcll, representing the United CONNER.
cial Travellers. addressed the commits.
sion. saying that the legislature had
postponed this idea and tho governor
also postponed II. and Furthermore the
commission has postponed II several
times, and now the time has arrived
for the commission to adjust II. The
commission declined 10 postpone II.
Mr.. Craddock presented a written
statement to the commission. which
bristlcd with generalities as 10 rail-
roads and travelling men. He said thar
$1,000. 900 j. spent daily In the United
States by travelling men In railroad
fare. and for the past six years gross
earnings OF railroads have been 100
per cent. He warned the railroads
against fighting this proposition. rs u
was bound to come.
J. w. Orr OF Atchison. Kan. an NJ
torney for the Missouri Pacific and
director OF the Beaumont and Great
Northern. asked the commission "a
exempt his line should II reduce the
rate. as Il was engaged in extending itf
property and reduced rates would hurt
n. As to 2 cent fares In Kansas and
Nebraska. he said they were put In by
railroads pending litigation in Federal
courts
The commission postponed until
next hearing the reimbursement OF rate:
on return OF refrigerator boxes. etc
also proposition readjustlng rates or
oak cross ties.
Brownsville dIfferential was post
poned until end Of docket.
Proposition to put pump jacks unde'
thlrd-class rates was taken under nd
visement: also proposition To readius'
macaroni rates and make them same
as Interstate rates.
Reimbursement OF lumber rates on In
ternational and Great Northern wa,
taken under advisement.