Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-08-01
INCREASE IN RATES
FOR COMMUNICATION
IS DECLARED LEGAL
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Hands Down Far
Reaching Decision in Fa-
nous Communication Case

WASHINGTON, July u.-Proposed In
creases In Communication passenger fares
by the leading railways operating In
and out OF New York city today were
held by the interstate commerce COM
mission to be reasonable, generally, ex-'
cept In the case Of the Pennsylvania
railroad. whose Communication rates are
declared excessive and are ordered re-
duced.
The opinion Of the commission was
prepared by Commissioner Harlan and
il the unanimous expression OF, the body.
The case popularity known 80 the com
mission rate case" has been before the
commission more than year. Aside
from Affecting directly nearly 6oo,oeo
commuters In and near New York the
principles enunciated are OF fsr-reaching
Importance, as they Immediately con-
Germ railroads and commuters IN every.
center OF population In the south.
What is regarded as the most fmpox-
tant holding of the commission from tai
View point Of the railways tB that III
takes full jurisdiction over all coEnmuss-
tion rates and assumes. under existing
law. the power to regulate these rates
precisely as It regulates straight pzs-
senger fares and freight rates. xhs -
spondent railroads In this oass denied
thu commissions authority 20 asEuxae
Euch power, maintaining thai. - conn
nut ation fares were FAR Iewsr than
straight passenger fares which were
conceded 20 be reasonable and that, -
all commuters were treated vita anse-
lutte equality, the railroads right 60 e.
just Communication rates without mtsr-
ference could not be questicnea.
ORDER AGAINST "PENNEY."
Against the Pennsylvania railroad g.
specific order is made by the commission.
requiring It to desist from action It's
present Communication fares to and FROM
New York city by September l, and Tor
not less than two years there after
The commission admits that II Is prob
ably true that q carrier cannot - com
PEELED 10 put q communication service antt
Communication rates into operation. but
Commissioner Harlan says, having I'M
dertaken a definite and regular commit
tation service. such as Is shown or rec'
ord on the part OF each OF the defend
ants In this proceeding, the power a''
well as the duty Of the commission, IN
der section 1, goes into the reasonable
ness OF the charges exacted. when COM
plant has been made. seems to be be-
yond question"
The opinion discusses exhaustively tho
history of Communication. indicating itf'
tremendous growth in the last few years.
Admission Is made that the railroads
have been put to immense expense IA
caring for the service. The record Of the
case shows that the railroad had ex
pended tens OF millions Of dollars, prae-
tically in facilities for handling this traf-
&c.
On the other hand, IL was shown by the
commuters that, through the medium Of
Communication, large and prosperous COM
munities outside OF New York had
sprung into existence and even now are
developing rapidly to the profit OF the
railways, not only from passenger, but
from freight traffic
The commission holds, however, that
"the defendants are fairly entitled to
some recognition OF their expenditures
and OF the resulting Improvement In the
service" and generally the proposes
fares are approved except as 10 tbs
Pennsylvania railroad.