Pioneer press. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1882-19??, 1914-03-28
MORE TESTIMONY
COMING, THEY SAY
Ruling May Not be Given Until Just
Before the Summer Recess, But
Early Action Has Been Urged as
it ~ i'll Relieve the Business Situa
Il.

issued by the interstate commerce
commission, indicating the likelihood
that additional testimony in the east.
as late as April %, was accepted a.
making it quite certain that decision
could not be expected before some
time in May at the earliest, and prob.
ably not until a short time before the
commission adjourns for the sum
mel, late in June.
The railroads have requested tn:
commission to afford them opportu;l~
iy to present additional testimony
as to their need OF Increased revenue
and also to offer evidence in rebuttiat
of the testimony introduced by those
opposed to an advance in rates. The
commission announced that it would
begin to take the additional testimony
on March 80 and 81, and that, if nee.
essarv, the hearing would be com
pieted on April 20. 21 and %. AS
Clifford Thorne, chairman Of the
railroad commission of Iowa. ran! =
senting eight western states in np
pus ';Cn to the proposed advance, :.
to present his views on March 90 anj'
81, il is hardly possible that the
hearings can be concluded until ATE
ir April
Ordinary Procedure Protracted.
Those in intimate touch with the
procedure of the commission regard
it as likely, therefore, that the case
cannot be argued until some time in
May After the hearing Of the test;
mony has been concluded reason
able extraordinarily it is Is or &c
days-will be given for the submits
sion Of briefs by counsel for the
roads. These will be followed with
briefs by counsel for the opposition.
After the briefs have been submitted
time, extending, perhaps, over sew
eral days, will be consumed in oral
arguments.
In the usual course of events this
procedure would consume the time
until nearly the first of June. How
long after that it might take the com.
mission to determine the issues in,
volved and to prepare a formal deci-
sion is a matter Of pure conjecture.
1t was recalled that Chairman Har
Ian announced from the bench few
weeks ago that the rate case was BIZ,
ing expedited in every way, and that
it was the expectation that a final
dec ision might be reached before the
sun mer recess Of the commission"
Commissions Statement Given.
The statement issued by the com
mission follows:
"The carriers have expressed their
desire 10 present at an early date
additional testimony touching their
financial requirements, and also to
have all opportunity to offer evidence
in rebuttal of the testimony recently
introduced in opposition to the pro
posed increase in rates.
"Having no other date available In
the near future, the commission has
thought 1t wise to postpone until fur
Their notice the argument on the spot
ting question now assigned for March
80 and 81 and to devote those dates
to the hearing Of such further evil
dence. If the carriers are not able
to complete this additional testimony
at the close Of March 81 the hearing
will be continued on April 20, Il and
g. t1ose being the earliest available
additional; dates.
Gas none Of the commissioners
we're able to be present when the
testimony was given on this snb'h"t
I by the representative of the railroad
commissions Of the states Of Iowa.
kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma and
missouri, he has been requested to
hppear again on March 80, to restate