The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-06-30
BRIEF HISTORY
Of Bic DAT TIE
Resume in Progression of Steps
Taken by Commercial Club
Traffic Bureau.
DECISION IS OBTAINED
WITH MARKED SWIFTNESS
Estimated Freight-Rate Saving
to Utah Annually Will Be
Million Dollars.

The Commercial club traffic bureau OF
this city was originally organized in Oc-
tobers 1908. In December OF that year
the services OF commissioner u traffic
we're engaged, the beginning Of whose
service was to occur on January Is, 1908.
On the latter date the offices were first
opened in the Commercial club building
for active work.
On February 1 Il petition was for
warded to the presidents Of all the rail-
way companies interested in Utah traf-
ment OF transportation rates for Utah
Beyond simple acknowledgements that the
petition had been received, no further
action en- the part OF those railway preSi-
on April ii, 1909. a petition to the
president of the United States, bearing
the signatures OF about 5000 OF tho
Provo. and asking for redress Of grle"-
ances In interstate transportation rates,
was forwarded by the bureau. The petit
Utah senators and representative in con-
Sress. The petition was referred by tho
pi resident TO the attorney general OF the
United States, with Instructions 10 give
the matter prompt and thorough investi-
cation. and TO advise as TO the best course
OF procedure under the law In It's con-
Sideraton,
on may 10. 1909, advices were received
from Washington by the bureau TO the
effect that a definite complaint to the
interstate commerce commits on, cover
ing full causes of action, should be pre-
pared and filed with the commission as
promptly as possible. it being advised that
this was the best course OF action to un-
dertake.
Complaints Are Formulated.
Accordingly, every possible effort was
made toward formulating such COM
plant. Tho work involved was naturally
very extensive as well az most impor-
tant, YET it was fully completed the COM
plalnt printed and forwarded 10 the In
Il. 1909.
The complaint reached Washington Just
as tho members OF the interstate COM
merce commission were about to take
their summer vacations. which had the
effect of n hearing In the case being de-
laycd until September 90. when IL oc-
CURED in the federal courtroom in this
city before ommissioners Clark and
Prouty.. AT that hearing the railroad
companies were represented by many Of
their leading traffic officials and sixteen
whose appearances were entered in. the
case. These attorneys were of exceptional
skill and experience In that special kind
of litigation. On behalf Of the bureau
there appeared the commissioner of traf-
fic and one attorney Of this city. The
hearing lasted from September % TO 2S
both inclusive: the last day Of the session
ending at ! o'clock p. IN.
Oral arguments occurred in the federal
courtroom In this city on October 30 be-
fore Interstate Commerce Commissioners
Clement Prouty. Clark and Lane. The
final briefs for both sides were sub
mittcd December Is. which placed the
case finally and fully in the hands of the
interstate commerce commission.
Successful on Every Point.
kilograms from Washington on We'd
ncsday announce that The interstate COM
mcrce commission has rendered do
cision in which the Commercial club traf-
fic bureau has been successful In every
point
the fact that ii is by Tar the most inn
portant and widest I'm scope of any that
has yet been submitted TO ihe interst1le
commission for consideration
and that IL has gone through 10 u de-
cision in record time.
Numerous other complaints had been
filed from the intermouutaIn country, tho
chief OF which being from the city OF
Spokane. which has been actively at work
Phoenix, Ariz., and Reno. New. have also
filed complaints, but while TINT from Salt
Lake City was the last 10 be filed with
the commission IT is of the first 10 be
decided.
Probably no other case anywhere near
" equal in Importance has been con-
Quoted throughout with such expedition
and AT such comparatively insignificant
financial cost.
While fun details OF the decision will
not be known until the printed copies
arc received. vet IL il safe To say lhat
the state of Utah VIII have Its inter
state freight piIs reduced to the extent
of at least ,Iillicn Of dollars annuall., !
and probably much moe.