The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-27
NO AUTHORITY TO
UPSET MONOPO OILY
Interstate Commerce Commission
Decides Against Cosby in
Transfer Suit.
NOW UP TO STATE COURTS
Counsel for Cosby Declares Case
Will Be Carried to Corpora
ton Commission.
NOW UP TO STATE COURTS


alleged to be an unlawful monopoly
enjoyed by certain transfer companies
or the state particularly the Rich.
mond Transfer Company, of this city.
reached It's second stage yesterday,
when the Interstate Commerce Com
mission. at Washington. handed down
an opinion which seems to favor the
case of the companies enjoying eX-
elusive transfer privileges.
In the Judgment OF the commission.
it has no authority to regulate the
charges for the transfer OF baggage TO
and from railroad stations II holds
further, that railroad company or
terminal has the right to grant the
exclusive privilege TO a transfer com
pany to solicit business OH the trains
and in the depots and TO issue checKa
to passengers.
Flight Not Ended.
The decision was rendered by Com
missioner Lane in the case of w. G.
Cosby, of this city. against the Rich
Inonu Transfer Company and the sew
eral railroads entering Richmond. The
full text of the opinion had not been
received by either party yesterday. but
counsel for the Cosby company de-
clnred that proceedings would be Inn
mcdiutcly instituted before the Stat,
Corporation Commission.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion's ruling" said one of Mr.. Cosby'a
counsel. could only be on the cues
ton OF jurisdiction, as 1t was on this
point OF law only that the matter was
before this tribunal. The ruling is in
no sense conclusive of the right OF our
client to seek redress. and, incidental
Il TO force the combine TO lower It's
baggage transfer rates 10 the figure
at which other responsible concerns
~ ln h,1,. ..a.o
Attracted Wide Attention.
The case thus ruled upon. while
strictly local in its application, has
attracted wide attention IL Involves
the right OF the Richmond Transfer
Company. under n contract w..h the
railroads entering the city. To charge
Il higher rate for depot baggage trans.
fer than that charged By the indie
pendent companies, of which NJ:
Cosby's is one. all OF which are cN.
Guided from the dcpots
\ similar state OF affairs IL is
claimed. exists III LynchbUrg. where II;
has given rise TO much friction The
Long Company there enjoys an cxc!u.
sivc contract with the railroads, nnN
Is enabled to maintain schcdul. Of
charges alleged TO bc higher tLuu t,ia,
OF the iudc pendent concerns, whtch
arc virtually prevented from comu.;-
ing by the contract, which perm. Is
only representatives OF the favored
company 10 solicit patronage Oh thr
railroad premises
Stntc Legislation Attempted.
I'm attempt was made by senator
! Howell {. FcntherSton. OF Lynchburg,
/ 10 put through II I'LL in the last CEN
cral Assembly which would huvc made
exclusive contracts like those granted
In Richmond and LynchhurE uniawfui.
The measure provided that all transfer
.t,.f. f, L., II.
uepositlng AN adequate bond u .r3urr
| their reliability, shall be granted equal
privileges 10y the railroads on their
premises.
/ Tho bill was vigorously foueii. in
! committee by representatives oi the
favored companies NJ well az t..e ra.i
! roads the letter claiming th1t the
! exclusive contract plan was H"lrssary
! To insure dispatch and responsibilities.
! An amendment was subsequently, at
taclod by The Senate Commute. ON
! Roads and Internal Navigation permit
/ ting the railroads 10 grant 10 any one
! transfer company the exclusive priyl-
| lcge TO check baggage through from
rcsid sncc to destination. III all other
/ ton The bill was reported by the com
/ mit,ec TOO late in tho session to pass,
and dl,d on the calendar.
/ Up to the stutc Courts.
! The controversy seems merely 10
| have passed its initial stage. Tor II
redress is not obtained at the hands
OF the Corporation Commission, stili
| further resort. il is claimed may DC
F., had to the state courts, under = Ger
! tain phase Of tho casc. IN Cosby,
| when interviewed YESTERDAY. expressed
| hts int .ntion TO cNhaus; every remedy
to relieve himself and the city Of what
lie believes 20 bc Il burlcneome zi,ua
ton.
y peculiar phase OF tho case is the
fact that the Chambers OF Commerce
| o! both Richmond and Iynrhburs
! when the baggage trust" bill was be-
fore the Senate committee. Joined IL
opposing it. Their argument was sub
stantiaily that 10 throw tn" Held op"u
to ali corners would demoraii~c the
present satisfactory service and wouiI
result in great Inconvenience to tic