The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-23
M'GRANN URGES .
ALL TO ATTEND
SENIOR COUNSELOR J. r. Mo-
GRANN OF FARGO COUNCIL U,
c. r, URGES ALL TRAVELLING
MEN OF ORDER TO ATTEND
COMMISSIONERS MEETING.

John F. McGrann, senior counselor
of the Fargo council. No. IS. of the
United Commercial Travellers, and a.
candidate for legislative honors ON the
democratic ticket, Is urging all mem
bers of the council to attend the hear
ing Saturday of the North Dakota
Railroad commission at the Fargo
Commercial club.
The case of the excess baggage rates
mas been hanging fire for more than a.
year, says Mr.. McGrann in an open
letter to the fraternity, and he feels it
the duty Of every member Of the trav-
e!lng public to be present as a protec-
I!on TO the travelling public in general.
FoloW1ng is Mr.. McGrann's letter:
Dear Sir and Brother: On Aug. 10,
1913, the first hearing in the excess
baggage case was held at Fargo before
the railway commissioners, at which
time. after the evidence had been pre-
sented, at the request Of the railway
companies a second hearing was
granted by the commission to be held
at Grand Forks on Sept. 20. 1918, but
u inc convenience of the railway
commission this hearing was rut off
until Oct. 8, 1913, and later announce
ment was made by the railway COM
mission that the hearing was indefn-
ltely postponed. At the insistence of
the supreme council representative
and the officers of the grand council a
further hearing was held at Fargo on
Jan. Ii, 1914, the result of this hear
ing being that on Feb. 10, 1914, 6. de-
clsion was handed down by the rail-
way commission ordering a reduction
or 80 1-3 per cent in the then existing.
excess baggage rates, to be put into
effect On March 10, 1914.
On March 10, 1914, the railway
COMPANIES put this order into effect
ing the reduction but 10 Ia per cent.
On learning of this violation by the
railway companies, of the order of the
railway commission, the supreme
council representative and the officers
of the grand council made complaint
to the commission, the result being
mat a hearing was called for On May
D, 1914, at Bismarck. This hearing
was heId, but no decision was reached
oy the commission until shortly before
the grand council met in session at
Mankato, Mimi, where a telegram was
received by the grand secretary and
read in convention, stating that the
coupon books had been ordered restor-
ed by the commission.
On July 8, 1914, this same commits
sion granted the railway companies a
stay of their further order, issued lust
prior to the meeting of the grand
councl at MankatO, and have issued a
cell for a hearing to be held in Fargo
at the commercial club rooms, on
Saturday, July 20, at 10 o'clock a. m.
Now, brothers, after reading the
above. n considering that after al
most one year spent in our light in
this matter of exorbitant excess bag
gage charges, n the difficulties met
with in obtaining hearings and deci-
sions from the railway commission.
n their neglect, practically, in en-
Forcing their own orders, do you not
think 1t time for the travelling public
TO manifest their interest in this case
py appearing personally before the
commission at this hearing set for
July 70? 1t is expected that the rail-
way companies will have their great.
est array of talent, as we'll as the
grand and supreme councils, at this
meeting, and we would urgently i'm
press upon yoS the necessity of the
travelling mo- being present at this
meeting. Talk it over with YOUR fell
low traveller and try to induce him T.,
be present.
AS Saturday, July 25, is TRAVELLING
mems day at the state fair, and the
best program of the week is arranged
for that day, you will no doubt be in
the city, and we would ask that YOU
rrang to attend the hearing before
the commissioners in the morning.
Fraternally yours,
John F. McGrann,
- Senior Counselor.
Attest: Thos. E. Dunn, secretary,