The copper era and Morenci leader., 1914-03-13
THREE CENT FARE.

Notice of hearing before the Corpofatlon Commission has been given to all railroad conn panies operating in Arizona to be held in Phoenix on April 21. The purpose of this hearing is to give the railroads an opportunity to show cause why the following order should not be promulgat- ed by the Commission:
 "'That no railroad corporation, company, or receiver or lessee thereof, operating a railroad, other than street or electric railroad, in whole or in part within the State of Arizona, shall ask, de- mand, or receive for frst-cass transportation for each passenger between points within this State, on the portion of it's railroad operated within this State, more than three cents per mile tor each mile such passenger is actually transported
 In the notice of hearing sent to the railroad corporations in Arizona the Commission says:
 ''The Commission will at said hearing, hear all the facts and statements that may be presented pertaining to the matter above set forth and will in pursuance hereof, adopt the proposed rate or make other adjustments exemptions to govern the transportation of passengers between points within Arizona, will enter such other order or orders in the premises as in its judgment may be justified by the facts presented and as may be equ- table to all interests concerned.
 The Copper Era is a firm believer in govern ment regulation of public utility corporations, both by Federal and State Commissions, and we commend that provision of the Arizona Constitu- ton vesting that power of regulation and control in the hands of a commission provided, that Commission is composed of men of ability and pos sessed of the moral courage in the face of public clamor, to render decision EQUITABLE TO ALL INTERESTS CONCERNED.
 The interests concerned III the approaching hearing are the people on the hand and the railroad corporations on the other. The people do not want to submit to exorbitant railroad fares, but at the same time a ma ority of the fair nnded people of Arizona do not desire to cripple the rail roads or to put a damper on further extension Of present lines of railroads or the building of new ones Government regulation of public utility corporations is question that should be approach ed in a spirit of fairness. There will be nothing gained in the end by partisan prejudlced decls- ion of matters effecting railroads The railroad business is the largest industry of the nation today and the disastrous effects of crIppng our chief in dustry will be general in its effect It IS true that large majority of the voters of Arizona at the election endorsed the proposition of three cent fare in Arizona It Is equally certain that had the proposition called for fare of two and half cents per mile 1t would have received still larger major ity The people at the polls, where the interests of large corporation is concerned, may be expct- ed to vote in favor of their selfish interests without any facts, evidence, or statement being presented to them. For this reason the provision vest1ng the power of regulation should be vested in i'm partial Commission to the end that justice may be done to all parties concerned. The Commlss1on should not take cognizance of the vote of the peo- ple at the last election on the question to whether three cent fare railroads ln Arizona is equitable to all interests concerned The peo- pie en masse are not qualified to pass upon such intricate questions. We hope the Commission will not be coerced by public canor on this ques- tion but on the other hand, after fair and inpar tial hearing, governed only by the evidence, that the commission will render just decision to the railroads and the people.