The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-10-08
COMMERCE BODY
REFUSES COAL
RATE SUSPENSION
Letter to Mayor Rage Says
Case May be Taken Up in
Formal Complaint
CITY COUNCIL WAITS
ON KELSO CONFERENCE
Mayor Thinks Struggle With
Frisco Unavoidab le-Other
Council News

Mayor Rage yesterday afternoon re
ceived letter from George B. McGin
ty, secretary of the Interstate Com
MERGE Commission, advising the CITY
that the Commission has decided moi
to suspend the advanced coal rate from
the Illinois field into theCape.
The rate advance of Is cents tor
changing the charge from 60 to Il
cents ton went into effect last Fri.
day. The advance was obtained by the
c. & +. !. and Immediately on hearing
Of the proposed advance abrogates a
contract the Frisco has with the city
setting the coal rate at 60 cents a ton
The letter Mayor Rage received was
read to the City Council last night
along with the other correspondence
the Mayor has had in connection with
the coal rate case, and made part of
the city's records.
The Council decided to defer further
action until the Mayor has an oppor-
tunity to discuss the coal situation
with Attorney l. R. Kelso, who is re-
presenting the city in the fight to win
back the 60 cent coal rate, or some
compensation that will be considered
equivalent.
kelso, it is believed, may be in the
Cape when the Federal term of court
begins and at that time the Mayor ex-
poets to hold conference with him.
The Mayor last night said before the
Council that it will be absolutely es-
sential to take the matter up with the
Frisco and make the railroad conform
with the contract it has with the city.
He said, however, that the railroad on
its own part may make some sugges-
ton that will aid in settling the case.
McGinty's letter declared that the
Commissions refusal to suspend the
rate on the telegraphic request of
Mayor Rage was not sign that the
tariff under which it becomes opera
tive is approval by the Commission,
and formal complaint may still be
placed before the Commission.
McGinty's letter is as follows:
"Hon. +. A. Rage, Mayor, Referring
futhcr to your telegram dated the 23rd
ultimo and acknowledging receipt of
yours Of the oath ultimo, you are adj
vised that the Commission declined to
suspend the operation of the item pro-
tested against in Supplement No. 40 to
c. &. E. |. Railroad Company tariff I.
c. c. No. 1868 which became effective
today (Oct. u.
1t is the view Of the Commission,
upon consideration Of the matter now
before it, that it should not exercise its
to suspend in this instance.
The fact that the Commission has not
the new schedule carries
with it no expression of approval, and
this action is subject to the duty of the
to investigate the lawful
ness and reaSonableneSs of any
schedule which may be made the sub
ject of formal complaint. Respectful
ly, B. G. Mckinty, Secretary"
In letter to c. L. Harrison, chair
man of the Traffic Committee of the
Commercial Club, Attorney, Kelso said
that he was taking the matter of gain
ing rehearing before the Commission
up directly with Joseph w. Folk, chief
council for the Commission.
The Council last night passed re-
solution to have the street pavement at
the corner Of Merriwether and Pacific
streets repaired as we'll as at Spanish
and Independence streets.
The Cape Girardeau &Northern rail-
road also will be asked to construct
proper crossing at Williams street.
The Council passed the regular of
ficers bills and reports and authorized
warrants for the city's bills and the
payroll. An ordinance on the widen
ing of Hanover street for block
south of Broadway also was read for
the first time.