The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-22

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v- . YASH1NGTON business men
@NVI appear to be waking up to
\M the fact that the Virginia
Wv railroads are discriminate
ing against this city and In
favor Of Alexandria in the matter OF
passenger rates. The subject was dis
cussed at considerable length at ses-
sion OF the executive committee of the
Chamber Of Commerce yesterday after
noon.
Several members have recently taken
trips to distant Virginia points. IN
every case they found that the rate
from Washington to point OF destina-
tion or from the Virginia point re-
turning northward to Washington was
much higher than from Alexandria, or
to Alexandria, the difference in some
cases amounting to several dollars.
An amusing feature OF the discussion
was that some time elapsed before the
committee was brought to realize that
the difference In rates Is due to the
fact that the Virginia rates are under
the regulation of the State Corporation
Commission. which forbids charge of
more than 2 cents mile for passen-
ger tickets between points within the
State. Washington being in the Dis
trict OF Columbia. and outside OF vir-
Slhif1s OOSo lOL BEL aaNhhtdSc sOl Nuc
2-cent rate. trip from a Virginia
point to the national capital being in
terstate travel, over which the State
Commission has no authority.
May Appeal to kterstate Commission.
The committee adjourned without
taking any positive action, but It was
strongly indicated that the matter
would be brought to the attention Of
the Interstate Commerce Commission.
1t remains to be seen whether this
body will hold that discrimination
resulting from the application of a
State law or an order of a State COM
lNlattng intrastate. transportation
seharges, VIII be- discrimination Of a
fcharacter which would justify the In
terstate Commission In prohibiting by
formal order.
Towns In North Carolina, Tennessee
and West Virginia. especially those
lying close to the Virginia line. havo
as good ground for protest against
alleged discrimination as has Wash
ington. There is promise that the
situation will give peculiar turn to
the long contest over railway passen-
ger rates.
The discrimination In some cases
cited is so great that 1t cannot be over
looked. It Is stated. for instance. that
the fare from Bristol. Va, to Alexan-
dria. Va. is $40. and the fare from
Alexandria to Washington Is 20 cents,
making the total fare from Bristol to
Washington $3.50. If the passenge-
from Bristol purchased straight
ticket from Bristol to Wash
ington, he would have to pay $11.4o.
The fare from Lynchburg to 4Alexan-
dria is &3.32; from Alexandria to Wash
ington. 20 cents. making the total fare
from the Hill City to Washipgto ton $3.5o.
II advantage be taken Of the Virginia
rate in the way Indicated. The reg
ular interstate rate from Lynchburg
to Washington is s4.45. The rate from
Richmond to Washington Us $3.50. but
II the Richmond man buysSa ticket to
Alexandria, paying ;2.15 therefor, and
then pays the conductor 2ot cents for
the ride OF eight miles from Alexandria
to Washington, he Will saves&1.15.
It is not strange that Washington
business men should be investigating
such a glaring difference In rates.