Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1914-08-28
HEARING ON THE
AUTO QUESTION
Commission of Opinion That
Certificates Not Neces-
sary for Bus Lines.

Although the public utilities commits
sion of this state is of the opinion that
it is not necessary to secure certif
cate of public convenience and neces
sity to establish and operate an auto
bus transfer system and line in Poca
tello or any other city in the state of
Idaho, and has so advised Finn H. Berg
and A. r. Reddish, applicants for the
certificate, it is willing to listen to ar
gument on this interesting question
and has therefore set Sept 10 al Boise
as the time and place on which to
hear it.
This question is one of the most In
teresting that has been called to the
attention of the commission for some
time. The public utilities act specifi-
cally states instances in which 1t is
necessary to secure a certificate o.
public convenience and necessity, but
nowhere does it mention bus lines or
bus transfer systems that are con-
fined entirely to a city. Therefore the
commission at this time is OF the opin-
ion that such a certificate is not re-
quired.
Will Incorporate for 100000.
The application of Messrs. Berg and
Reddish sets forth that it is their pur-
pose to construct, operate and main
tain an automobile bus transfer sys-
tenn within the city of Pocatello. Ban
mock county, Idaho, for the public use
in the transportation of persons and
property. the same to be a common
carrier within the meaning OF the law
applicable to public utilities as ap-
proved March 1, 1918, and in force in
the state of Idaho
1t is further set forth in the applica-
ton that Messrs. Berg and Reddish
propose to invest no less an amount
than 100000 in the new automobile
line and to incorporate for that amount
OF capital stock of which $4,000 has
been proposed to be subscribed and Ia
issue bonds. etc.
Has No Street Cars.
The claim is made in the petition
that Pocatello is not now served by
any street railroad or common carrier
although a franchise was on Jan. 16
1913, granted by that city to l.. r. Mar
tineau, but it became terminated and
is alleged to be of no force and effect
because it is alleged Martineau failed
to construct and build the road. 1t is
also set forth that public utilities COM
mission granted a certificate of public
convenience to one j. ID. Browning for
the purpose of building a street rail
road in Pocatello but it is claimed il
is apparently impossible for Browning
to secure a franchise from that city
1t is further set forth that Pocatellc
has population of $4,000 and covers
an area of two square miles: that IL
has the Oregon Short Line shops, etc
AS an argument in support of an auto
mobile bus line it Is set forth that
Pocatello Is divided into two portions
known as the east and west sides and
distances between the various public
! buildings. church, schools and othei
institutions is great so that an auto
bus line. or some such mode of con-
veyance is in demand.
Messrs. Berg and Reddish seem to be
confident that they must first have a
certificate of public convenience and
necessity before they can install theii
bue line irrespective of the fact the
commission has written them of its
opinion to the contrary and insist or
the hearing, the date of which the
commission has set.