Omaha daily bee., 1909-09-23
Nebraska
TRACTION CASE HEARING
to Charge Ten Cents Between
Two 0mahas is Denied.
ANSWER IN DORCHESTER CASE
Burlington Questions the Jurisdic-
tiOn Of the state Commission to
Pass on Lumber Rate, Hold
ing IL Is Interstate.

LINCOLN, Sept. 22-(Special.)-The state
railway commission considered the appli-
cation Of the Nebraska Traction and Power
company for permission to charge a 10
cent rate between Omaha and Ralston this
afternoon. The commissioners pointed out
to the applicants that this rate would be
in excess of the 2-cent-a-mile law, the dis
lance being about four miles. It was
agreed that the company might file an
scent rate, on which. the commission would
withhold approval until it is demonstrated
how this rate will work. The chief OBJ
lection urged to the making of this rate
is that another company is now granting
a scent rate.
Less Express Reports.
The commission today announced that it
would no longer require express companies
in the state to make monthly station re-
ports. When reports are in for August no
further demands for monthly station state
ments will be made on these companies,
the order directing that all information
heretofore contained in these be embodied
in the annual station report to be made
at the end OF the year. The commission
has made compilations from reports here
tofore filed and has a sufficient amount
Of such detail information for the present.
Normal Board Case Heard.
The supreme court this afternoon heard
arguments i'm the test case which is to
settle the controversy between the State
Board Of Education and the State Normal
board. The case was submitted.
Road Challenges Jurisdiction.
]. f. Kelby, for the Burlington railroad,
in an answer filed to the complaint made
by the George w. Voss Lumber company
of Dorchester, relating to lumber rates
from the south, declares that the state
railway commission has no jurisdiction I'm
this matter. The Voss company complained
that Dorchester is disseminated against
in favor of Crete, in that yellow pine
lumber brought from the south is deliv-
cred by the Burlington railroad at Crete
for 26 cents while the rate to Dorchester,
eight miles farther west, is 81 cents. Mr..
Kelby says this is an interstate matter
in which the state commission cannot as
sumo jurisdiction.
Some time ago the railroads handling
pine lumber from the south found them
selves unable to agree on a division of
rates in cases where through rates were
made from the mills to local stations in
Kansas and Nebraska. All throug rates to
Nebraska local stations were withdrawn, ex-
cepting those applying to Omaha and Lin
coin and intermediate points. Crete being re-
garded an an intermediate point gets the
Lincoln rate, while the local for eight miles
is added to the 26 cents to make the Dor
chester rate. Crete is a competitive rail-
road point, while Dorchester is purely
local to the Burlington.
Affidavits In Home Case.
Affidavits in the Commandant Barnes
matter at Grand Island, which was recently
subject for a hearing by the state board,
continue to reach the office of Secretary
Of State Junkin. Mr.. Junkin said yester-
day that some of these contain ludicrous
matters stated in a severely formal, earn
est and most dignified way,
The board has made no finding In the
Barnes case, since the hearing at Grand
Island, and it is not made plain when such
a finding will be made. In fact The board
has little to do with the matter, the whole
quarrel being regarded as one for the gov
ernor to settle. COmmandant Barnes is the
governors appointee, and any finding made
by the board would not of necessity influ-
ence his action, and the governor is free to
act without suggestion on the part of the
board.
Some state officials who have familiar
lied themselves with conditions at the
Grand Island home maintain that no mat
ter who might have been appointed from
a list of Grand Island residents some
trouble would have occurred during the
administration of the Soldiers Home. 1t
is held that fractional differences and pol
itics at Grand Island are largely RESPONSE
BILE for the situation in which Mr.. Barnes
finds himself, while another contributing
factor is the lack Of policy that the COM
mandant has shown in dealing with the old
veterans.
The resignation of Joe McGraw, 1t is held,
has not removed the only disturbing factor.
Rates Asked.
The State Railway commission considered
the application Of Fred Enfield, manager
of the telephone company at Lyons that
was formerly a part of the Bell system,
for permission to reduce his rates to meet
competition, and also the protest Of H. S.
manager Of the Independent com
pany, which has lowered the telephone
rates at Lyons and which is competing
with Enfield's company. Enfield was al
lowed to put in lower rates. Mr.. Johnson
declares that Mr.. Enfield is merely operat-
Ing the exchange at Lyons for the Bell
company and that the sale is a subterfuge.
while Mr.. Enfield declares that he is the
owner OF the plant and that IT is necessary
for him to reduce his rates to hold his
- 4 III HTHaN