The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-09-08
WASHINGTON AND OREGON RAIL
WAY COMMISSION coNfEh
AT PORTLAND.
,sor Herman Thurtell of Fourth
section of Interstate Commerce
Body Meets With Officials to Make
,s-Would Avoid Conflict as to
Jurisdiction.

affecting interstate commerce
4bov relate to the jurisdiction of
sbo interstate Commerce Commission
Wv no considered in Portland in an
W dow conference by the Public
@ a. Commission of the State of
Tasbington and the Oregon Railroad
COMMISSION with Professor Herman
o,SnrtaIl chairman of the fourth Sec
4.nn Of the Interstate Commerce
commission and ex-member of the
voroda State Railroad Commission.
rho sessions of the conference were
ovocutive and no announcement was
odo of the result of the delibera-
tons
"Tbe purpose of the conference,
cold CLYDE B. Aitchison, chairman OF
tho Oregon Railroad Commission, lis
70 work out some plan between the
railroad and public service commits
sions of the two states and the rep
rpsentative of tfe Interstate Com
merce Commission in adjusting rates
On that no conflict would result either
as to Jurisdiction or as to the rates
which might be fixed by the state or
Federal authorities.
Consumers Aid Aimed.
Our deliberations included con-
sderation of the rates to be paid
carriers and yet conserve the manu-
featuring and shipping interests of
the state and at the same time give
to the consumer the greatest posi-
BILE protection and liberal treat
ment'
The conference is considered by
traffic men as one of the most sig
nifcant ever held in the Pacific
Northwest 1t was convened on sug-
gestion of the two state rate-regu-
lating commissions for the purpose
of working out plan by which dis
tributive rates in the Pacific North
west might be made uniform and at
the same time not conflict with the
DEGREES of the Interstate Commerce
Commission. The interstate confer
ence is also regarded of Importance
for the reason that it precedes the
hearing here beginning tomorrow,
by Franklin K. Lane, chairman of
the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion, on the application of the South
ern Pacific Company to be relieved
from the enforcement of the amend
ed provision of the commerce act
which requires a reduction in rates
to intermediate points between San
Francisco and Portland. Prevailing
dlstributive rates from these two sea
ports are governed by water compe-
tition.
Unified Plan Wanted.
The purpose of the conference was
10 evolve a plan that would har-
monte rates enforced by the state
commissions as to interstate business
with interstate rates as they may be
nxed by the Interstate Commerce
commission.
With the exception of H. A. Fair
child, chairman of the Washington
Fuollc Service Commission, who re-
named for a further conference with
Olyde b. Aitchison, chairman of the
oregon Railroad Commission, the
washington visitors left for their
homes late last night. Professor
lhurtell also remained in Portland
ana will attend the hearing that will
oesln before Commissioner Lane In
.ne Federal building tomorrow morn
Ing at 10 o'clock.
ASIDE from Professor Thurtell and
Messrs Fairchild and Aitchison,
'nairmen, respectively of the Wash
nston and Oregon commissions, those
amending Yesterdays conference
were: Commissioners ]. C. Lawrence
ana Jesse F. Jones; o. o. Calderhead
s.austlclan and rate clerk and S. B.
oafey' counsel, of the Washington
uoilc Service Commission, and Com.
customers T. K. Campbell and F. J.
Miller' of the Oregon Railroad Com.
mission.