Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1914-05-21
FOR APPOINTMENT OF R. R. COMMISSION Pine Bluff Traffic Bureau
 Suggests Change in
 the Law. MAKE TERMS LONGER Proposed Amendment Would Make Tenure Six Years. Bureau Also
 Oppose Increase in Weight of Parcel Post Limit.
MAKE TERMS LONGER

Bluff Traffic Bureau at a meeting yesterday adopted a resolution which provides for three railroad commits sioners for Arkansas to be appointed by the governor. The resolution will be presented to the state Democratic convention which meets in this city June and ask that it be put in the Democratic platform. The propos- ed amendment follows:
 "An act amending section 1, of the acts of March il and 16, 1899, pro- viding for a railroad commission for the state of Arkansas.
 Be it enacted by the general as- sembly of the state of Arkansas.
 Be it enacted by the people of the state of Arkansas.
 Section 1. The railroad commits sion shall consist of three members who shall be appointed by the gov ernor from the state at large; pro- vided that the three commissioners in office on second Monday in Jan uary. 1915 shall serve out the term for which they were elected. Upon luC CAplIdllOu Ol odlu lSl III luC lCl III of office, of each commissioner there after shall be six years, excepting that of the commissioner first ap pointed after the expiration of said term; who shall be appointed to hold office until the first day of January, 1918 and the second to be appointed to hold office until the first day of January, 1920; and the third to be appointed to hold office until tho first day of January, 1922. The sal ary of each commissioner shall be thirty six hundred ($3,600) per an- mum. to be paid from the state treas ury in the same manner that other state officers are paid.
 "This act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage"
 The following shows the organlza- tion of the railroad commissions i'll the states named.
 Arkansas; elected; ? yrs. .$2,5oo Oregon; elected; yrs....... 5000 Washington; appointed; 6 yrs. 5000 Minnesota; elected; 6 yrs. .... .4,5O0 Wisconsin; appointed; prs... 5000 Massachusetts; appt; yrs.. 9,ooo Georgia; appointed; yrs.... 2,ooo Nebraska; elected; yrs..... 3,OOo Texas; elected; yrs........ 4,ooo 0kIo,,oma. elected: 6 yrs... 4,O0O Nd;sco,I. annointed: rs... $500 California; appointed; 6 yrs.. 6,ooc Average: Appointed.
 5 Elected; 5 1-2 yrs. 4,5O0
 Resolutions were also adopted which will be sent to the representa- tiyes in congress urging that they op- pose the proposed increase iA weight of parcel post packages from 30 to 100 pounds
 In the deep waterway movement, which will promote river traffic, t2e hoard also went on record as wlll- ing to affiliate and assist in any movement tending to bring a5cut bet- ter facilities on the river.
 On the proposed charge for switch ing cars to private side tracks, 10" before the interstate commerce. com mission, a resolution was adopted m which the traffic bureau strenuously opposed any movement. The interstate commerce. commission has fixed d nrice of 5 1-2 cents per ton for thls service, The resolution adopted op- iects to any charge over the regular published freight rates.