The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-02-23
MILEAGE BILL PASS,
ED.
Measure Makes it Obligatory for
Passenger Train Conductors to
Accept Mileage On Trains.
News and Courier.

News and Courier.
Columbia, February 20.-The SEN
ate, by vote of 10 to 20, today re-
fused to indefinitely postpone the
section of. the railroad rate bill re-
fer1ing to mileage being accepted on
trains, and the bill, as amended, was
ordered to third reading. And amend
ment was adopted to the effect that
the provisions Of the bill do not :~o-
fer to lines under fifty miles :
length.
Senator Carlisle, favoring the mil
cage feature Of the bill. stated that,
inasmuch as majority Of the rail
road committee had favored this part
Of the measure, there was good reason
for its passage. He referred to the
nuisance and bother Of having TO ex-
change mileage for tickets. That very
often a man has only few minutes
at his disposal to catch train, and
after getting to the station finds that
there are about twenty-five people
lined up for exchange of mileage. He
might, under these circumstances,
lose his chance to get the ticket, and
would have to 60 on the train, and
maybe, pay the extra Is cents de-
manded by the roads.
Senator Mauldin stated that he was
in favor of that part of the bill
which provided for 2 1-2-cent rate,
inasmuch $ this would, naturally,
benefit the masses Of the people. But
why, asked Senator Mauldin, legis-
late a system of business for the rail-
roads? They are able to take care
of their own business Interests. II
the railroads have not the sufficient
number Of men to accommodate its
patrons in this mileage exchange,
make them get more men, but don't
tell them how to run their own busl-
ness.
Senator Laney stated that he was
in favor Of this section of the bill, IN
that not only the drummers are IN
convenienced, but the whole travelling
public.
Senator Black stated that he saw
no reason why the mileage section of
the bill should not pass. It would oc-
easion no hardship on the railroads,
and would be a great convenience to
the public.
Those people living close to trains
may wait until the whistle blows and
rush to the depots and catch the
trains if they have mileage which can
be taken up by the conductors, but If
they have to exchange for tickets they
would have to 60 down t. the depot
at least fifteen minutes ahead OF
time, and sometimes wait on the train
no arrive if it be late.
Amendments Proposed.
Senator Applet proposed an amend
ment to the effect that Section OF
the bill be 50 amended as to provide
that a rate not exceeding 2 1-2 cents
shall be enforced for the mileage
books. This amendment was tabled
upon viva voce vote.
Senator Weston stated that he
would vote for the bill if an amend
ment was adopted so as to make pro-
vision for interchangeable mileage. 1t
had been stated by the railroad off,
cials at rthe hearing on this matter
that in the event Of the passage OF
the rate bill the interchangeable mil
cage might be taken off.
The amendment of Senator Weston
was as follows:
"Provided. the railroads shall put
on sale an interchangeable mileage
book al. $40, and that passengers shall
have the privilege of exchanging these
for tickets.''
The chair ruled that this amend
ment had been killed the evening be-
fore, and that only motion to re-
consider the table would oe in order.
Senator Weston moved to consider
the motion whereby the amendment
had been laid on the table, and the
vtssS t;sSfgssSTFfted as follows:
Yeas-Appelt, Bass, Clifton, kel-
ley, Lide, Mauldin, McCown, Nc
Keiyhan, Stewart, Summers, Walker,
Waller, Weston-l3.
Nays-Bates, Black, Carlisle, Croft,
Crosson, Earle, Forrest, Graydon,
Hardin, Harvey, Johnston, Laney,
Montgomery. Otis, Rainsford. Rogers,
Suuivan-17.
So the senate refused to reconsider
the Weston amendment and the Sec
4;o,, rom air;a1 as hpfOTe