Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-01-04
Mccarthy Asks For Answers to
Some Questions He Has
Written.
ALL REFER TO RAILROADS
Win Webster a. a Basis Tie Wants 20
Know n Discrimination Is
Being practiscd.

received In today's mail by the "News'
from W. S. Mccarthy OF the COM
merciai clubs traffic bureau.
Salt Lake city. Utah, Jan. g. 1903.
Editor Desoret Evening News, city:
Dear sm-In your issue of Dec. 81
appeared an article headed "Discrim-
nations by Railroads wherein il IS
shown that to him who knows, The
railroad company viii sell "a ticket
from Salt Lake TO Nebraska state limo.
and from there to Omaha, for $3.50,
while from the man who is not wise
IL viii collect $50 Tor the same ser-
vice
Mr. d. f. Burnley, general passenger
agent OF tho Oregon short Lime Rail-
road attempts TO defend this. one Of
the most bare-faced robberios ever
perpetrated by any corporation. claim
ing that there IS no discrimination at
an in the matter and no attempt at
discrimination. Also that the inter-
state commerce commission IS coFniz-
ant OF these conditions and the ques-
ton OF an rates on an roads is rec
ognized and governed by the commits
sion and the laws OF the United states.
but IS this law? Ay marry is't,
orowners quest law. Win you ha' the
truth on't?"
WEBSTER AS a BASIS
webster defines discrimination ass
"the act Of making or observing "a
difference
Section two OF the act to regulate
commerce says
That if any common carrier sub
ject TO the provisions of this act
shall directly or indirectly. by any
special rate. rebate, drawback, on 9TH
or device. charge demand, collect on
receive from any person or persons q
greater or less compensation for any
service rendered. on 10 be rendered, in
the transportation of passengers or
proprty. subject TO the provisions OF
this act, than II charges, demands,
collects. or receives from any other
person or persons for doing for him or
them a like and coutcmporancous
service IN the transportation of like
kind Of traffic under substantially
similar circumstances and conditions,
such common carrier shall be deemed
guilty of unjust discrimination, which
is hereby prohibited and declared 60
be unlawful"
Mr.. Burley further says. The tariff
will not be changed until the courts OF
the state declare the rate legal We
cannot recognize "a rate which has not
been declared constitutional Yet it IS
recognized daily with the result that
those wen Informed save $3.50 on each
ticket purchased
ASKS SOME QUESTIONS.
II it is proper to ignore laws which
have not been declared constitutional.
why pay any attention whatever TO the
interstate commerce law. the cOnstitu-
tionality Of which has not even been
Questioned Notwithstanding the fact
that 10 is obnoxious 90 TO the railroads
IL It's constitutionality be admitted Why
unless the Hartman lines are above
tho law of the land, should not its plain
provisions be observed? Why should
this UBIQUITOUS practise OF taking 81. 80
on a one-way ticket or 81 for the round
trip out of the pocket Of every resident
OF Utah who goes to or beyond the
Missouri river and back, be continued
The Nebraska law has now been IN
effect about two years, during which
time probably not less than Si50i0Oo 10
which they are not legally entitled has
/ been extracted from the pockets Of the
people Of Titan by the railroads am
amount sufficient 10 more than cover
I the debt which now threatens the exist
ence OF our local Y NJ. g.. A. More than
enough 70 erect and cQuip q new school
! building of large capacity or TO carry
out amy one of "a number OF much necd-
ed civic improvements.
ANOTHER QUESTION
As bearing on the statement that pas
| sengers cannot be carried FOR less than
/ cents "a mile. ! would commend "a
/ your attention ana article in the Decen-
! Der 1908. number of the American Mag
] azlne. entitled Mind Curing "a Rats
| Maker" wherein q is shown that many
| officials eminent in that branch OF the
| transportation service with which MI
! Burnley As connected do not all agre,
with him.
At the time OF the passage OF the Ne.
braska 2-cent law the railroad men OF
that state were in "a truly pitiablc stat,
| of mind. The new law spelled RUIN
| There would be nO more charity rates
| no half fares f0r clergymen. NO NOR.
| reduced rates OF any kind. no eNcur
/ sion rates. no "nothin" But behol,
the change. within IS months th'
| Union Pacific railroad was spending tl
good money for printers Ink. urging
| the people of Nebraska Co avail thcm
| selves OF the Hh'Vu"ll'" n'tNiNN 'i'Ni''
for their transportation 10 omaha anl
return during the AK Sar Ben Festlv
ties, al "a rate OF LESS THAN CEN :
a MILE. SIN passengers cannot b.
carried for 2 cents NILE do yol
believe itf
If such is the case why are the rail
roads So careful % see that an stat
legislators upon whom they can prevail
10 accept a.. are provided with annua
free transportation in Ibis state when
there is no 2-cent law Why this pro
nigate waste OF revenue What's Oh
] nuaVNcrn