Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-19
COMNIe5tON MUST
EXPLAIN OR FACE
REMOVAL ACTION
Given Until Monday Noon
to Stave OFF Impeachment
Steps-Place and Date of
Rehearing Criticised.

Unless the members Of the Pennsyl-
vania Public Service Commission offer
before next Monday noon a full and sat
isfactorv explanation of their course in
granting the railroads advance informa-
tion on the recent rate decision, attorneys
for the commuters will take immediate
steps to force the removal OF the entire
Commission IN order that the rehearing
OF tho passenger rate case in Harrisburg,
January s, may be held before a new
board.
This course was determined upon this
morning at conference in the offices
,f Edwin NJ. Abbott OF the attorneys
Who viii represent the various organiza"
lions OF the commuters at the new hear
ing next month. The formal notice sent
out BY the Commission yesterday, an
nounctng It had decided TO grant a rehenr-
ing, was cgngldered carefully by the ct
torneys, and although great satisfaction
was expressed at the opportunity for q
new presentation OF their side OF the
case. two points In the announcement Of
the Commission were attacked as unfair.
That tho hearing should be held In Har-
risburg 1stead of In this city, where the
other hearings were conducted, was Critl-
cised as being unfair to the commuters.
ii che commission were to meet In this
tllNt u was pOlNltu OuN' lit oNble NuNiu
bear the expense OF the commissioners
transportation. Every protesting COM
H-nei - rs attorncy-at-law will have
to bear individually the expense of golns
to Harrisburg. Should the number OF
complainants be as large as at the first
hearing, this item will amount to several
hundred dollars
In the second place, criticism was di-
rected against the time OF thY bearing.
The commuters, In appealing for a new
hearing, urged thatfit be held promptly.
Instead, tho commission set January 5,
which, as Mr.. Abbott one OF the at
torneys.. pointed out this morning. Is
three days after the Senate convenes.
The present commissioners might be con
Armed in their appointment before this
dete.
Setting January s as the date for the
rehearing, therefore, VS. considered a clever
move on the part Of the Commission to
silence criticism against IL until after its
eonhrniation by the Senate. For this
feason the attorneys determined today to
press the charges OF misconduct I'm
ofice" against every member unless the
list OF Is questions filed with the Com
mission on Wednesday is answered pub
llcly before next Monday noon.
II the Commission takes no notice of
the list Of questions by that time and
makes no attempt to vindicate its action
In favoring the railroads with advance
Information, charges will be preferred
Immediately against every member and
tho papers wiIl be filed with Governor
Tener in Harrisburg before Monday
night
Following the conference of the attor-
ncys, Mr.. Abbott issued a formal state
mont declaring their position. EIe also
said that should Governor Tener con-
slider the charges against the Commits
sioners sufficient to justify their removal
the appointment OF a new board in time
TO sit at the rehearing will be asked.
Complete restoration Of. all passenger
and Communication rates In force before the
Pennsylvania Public Service Commission
authorized the increases effective Decem-
Der is, will be asked by attorneys for the
commuters at the rehearing.
The basis for the commuters claims will
be that the decision OF the Interstate
Commerce Commission yesterday, grant
ing the railroads of the East a per cent.
freight increase, has shattered the only |
excuse which the railroads might have
had for a passenger increase
The commuters will show that the basis
for the original plan of increased pas
senger rates was the suggestion of the |
Interstate Commerce Commission after Il !
had refused 10 grant the freight increase. |
The subsequent reconsideration of the
freight ruling should be followed, it viii |
be argued. by a full restoration of the |
former passenger tariffs.