The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-24
EXCESS BAGGAGE
ORDER IS ALIVE
RAILROAD COMMISSION HAS NOT.
KILLED MANDATE RELATING.
TO COUPON BOOKS BECAUSE or
REHEARING, SAYS RoARD-RE.
COMES EFFECTIVE AUG. is.

In view ofthe fact that the fmpres-
sion exists in the minds of members
g~eenrally of the u. c. T. that the re-
cent order OF the railroad commission
relating to excess baggage coupon
books has been killed" pending a re-
heading Of the $ tomorrow. an in
curry regarding the situation has been
made oy Inc Forum in order to clear
the atmosphere.
M order of the commission is one
OF the strongest that body has yet is
sued, 1t being an alternative order
considered by those conversant
with law as a strong document. This
order has not been killed" but goes
into erect Aug. Is, unless the railroads
produce evidence tomorrow sufficient
TO warrant the commission in changing
1t. The order follows:
Opinion and Order.
al the time of the hearing had in
the above entitled proceeding, and at
the time Of the rendition of the order
on FEB. 10, 1914, it was known to the
commission that all of the carriers do
ing business within the state were is
SUNG a coupon excess baggage book
Tor tthe use and benefit of those trav-
elers who handled baggage in large
amounts. and preferred to take advan-
tage OF a special discount of 20 per
Cent offered by the carriers, but no
question was raised but what his was
a permanent arrangement, and one
which would not be affected by an or
der of this commission reducing the
rates, previously in existence. Upon a
careful investigation of the situation.
and 9 thorough consideration of the
adduced by the compliments,
the commission in its order undertook
to reduce the her existing excess |
baggage rates from Is 2-3 yer cent to |
IL 1-2- per cent of the first class pas
senger fare. This order was hardly
before it's effect was practically
nullifed by the withdrawal by the
carriers doing business within this
the coupon book referred to,
h instead of reducing the excess
baggage rate 3S Id per cent as was
intended to be done by the order of
commission, the order really re-
duced the rate 6 2-3 per cent only.
This coupon book Is used by all of
carriers doing business within this
state, n In the states of Illinois, |
Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Da-
kota, n on interstate traffic between
these states, but it was only with
drawn from use in the state of North
Dakota. The commission feels that
this was merely an excuse to coun-
the effect of the reduction, and
it operates as a discrimination
against the state Of North Dakota; and
practically nullifies the effect of it's or
der of Feb. 10. 1914. On the End day
of April, 1914, the compliments re-
newed their complaint and asked for
restoration of his book, or a fur
reduction of 20 per cent from the
rate. Upon a hearing had on
5th day of May, 1914, the matter
reconsidered, and upon re-exam-
the evidence, the commission is
convinced that the prayer of the COM
plainants should be granted. I
There may be some uncertainty as
to whether this commission has the
power to compel a carrier to sell a
book at the reduced rate, and
for that reason this order will be made
in the alternative, requiring the res
of the coupon book based up
on the same percentage Of discount as
heretofore used in the state Of North
Dakota, but with the proviso that in
the event that the carriers, or any OF
them, shall decline or refuse to issue
said coupon book, the excess baggage |
rate shall be further reduced from |
IL Ia per cent of the first class
3 IL cent passenger fare to 10 per
2ent of said first class 2 IL cent pas
;enger fare, with the further change |
If the minimum rate set forth in the
able accompanying the former order
n this case providing that where the
'assenger fare is So, 80, So cents or 81,
20. cents per 100 pounds. 1t is there
ore 4
Ordered, that this order be effec- H.
i've on and after Aug. Is, 1914" IL