Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1913-06-20
US. COURT UPHOLDS
STATE RAIL RATES
Principles Laid Down in Minneso-
ia Ruling Adhered to.
TWO-CENT FARE SUSTAINED
Supreme Tribunal Declares Missouri,
Arkansas, West Virginia and Ore
gon Laws Are Va!id-Judse
Hughes Gives Decision.

Washington, June 1S.-The Su-
preme court of the United States up
held state railroad legislation in MIS-
souri, Arkansas, Oregon and West
Virginia Monday. The principles laid
down were exactly the same as in
the Minnesota rate cases.
This legislation included two-cent
passenger laws in Missouri, Arkansas
and West Virginia.; maximum freight
rate laws in Missouri and Arkansas,
and freight rates out of Portland In the
Oregon cases. The only exception to
the sweeping approval Of state statutes
was in the case of several weaker
roads in Missouri.
The Kentucky case was not decided.
It involves an attack upon state rates
from river points to inland distiilery
cities. and involves, in addition. an at
tack on the constitutionality of the
form OF the McChord act. enabling the
state railroad commission to fix rea-
sonable rates on intrastate business.
A decision in this case may be forth
coming when the court meets again in
October.
Justice Hughes announced the dect-
sion in the rate cases, as he did In the
Minnesota cases a week ago. Wher-
ever the point was raised that the
state laws interrered with interstate
commerce the justice referred to his
Minnesota rate decision. He disap-
pointed any who believed the court
might in some way. modify that deci-
sion.
The Oregon and West Virginia cases
were decided in favor of the states in
few words, the only point raised by
the railroads being that the laws inter
fered with interstate commerce.
Justice Hughes went fully into an
examination of claims in the Missouri
and Arkansas cases that the property
of the railroads devoted to intrastate
business would be confiscated.
AS a result, the state rates will be-
come operative on the Chicago, Bur
lington & Quincy, the Atchison, Tope-
ka & Santa F'e, the Kansas City South
ern. the Missouri, Kansas & Texas the
ing the st. Louis, Kansas City & Colo
rado). the ST. Louis & San Francisco,
the St Louis Southwestern, the Mis-
souri, Pacific the st. Louis, Iron Noun
tain & Southern, the Wabash, the Chi
cago. Milwaukee & ST. Paul. and the
Chicago & Alton
For the present the rates will not
tbA 10
Hannibal. the Kansas City. Clinton &
Springfield. the Chicago Great West
ern the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas
City and the st Joseph &, Grand Is
land.
Coming to an apportionment OF ex-
peuses. Justice Hughes said the plan
adopted by the lower court Of applying
the revenue basis was open to the
same objection as in the Minnesota
cases
However, as to the st. Louis & Han
n,bal and the Kansas City. Clinton &
Springfield he said the experts of both
the state and the railroads united In
stating no basis could be found upon
which the proposed rates would yield
an adequate return.
As to the Chicago Great Western, he
said the errors of valuation and appor-
"tionment were not sufficient TO war
rant Il reversal of the finding of the
lower court that the rates were cOnfis-
catory.
The rates az to the Quincy. Omaha
& Kansas City and the st. Joseph &
Grand Island we're annulled because of
a stipulation between the state and
railroads that the finding as to the
Chicago Great Western should control
them.