The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-03-10
R. R. RATE
IS
UNCHANGED
West Virginia Case
Thought Not To
Be Pertinent
NECESSITY NOW
FOR LEGISLATION
Otherwise Rates Might
Be Left in
Air
Prom q stat Correspondent.

LANSING. Mich. March l0.-The
dscision OF the United States SUI
prsne court In the wes, Virginia
passenger rate cases. can have no
real effect upon the fare increase
hills now before, the Michigan leg
islature. II the opinions OF several
lavyer members are correct
II was pointed out Tuesday morn
ND that although the courts might
throw out the Michigan twocent
fare law. the judiciary had no au-
thority Ito tx a rate under which
The railroads must operate, this
night being delegated to the iegis.
Iatnrs BY the constitution. should
shis occur the roads might make
nany changes they saw ht until
ouch time as the legislature voted
1ncreased rates Hence the decision
- the rate increase problem during
ths present session Is made even
nore imperative than heretofore.
oupporters OF the roads IN the
Gght for increased rates declare that
~ decision practically cinches the
cossage Of one of the bills now
Dending. while opponents OF the plan
insist that the decision makes no
change In conditions. The latter
olaos point out that the courts de-
c1siou n throwing out the West Wiz
oIniA two-cent law hinged upon q
slowing BY the roads that revenues
vere insufficient TO meet expenses
n the passenger department The
railroads have been attempting to do
this before the Legislature but no
check upon their ngurcs has been
nads and no case for the opposition
hns been presented Decision OF the
question on the evidence az hand
would be- similar 70 deciding for the
p1aintiR In law suit with only his
tide Of the case before the court.
thsy say.
II don't think the status OF the
&C. b changed bit said Senator
james Murtha Of Detroit 1T 10
oti1l up ; to the Legislature In my
eD1nion. The whole case hinges up
@ whether or rot the figures pre-
SEATED by the roads ara correct, and
~ have had no way OF finding that
CT ~ yet Then. too. there Is an
ether angie to the case 81 the court |
should throw out our present Law.
What rates would the roads be per-
mlttsd to charge. Who would de-
eide thaty Not the courts, because
they haven't the right under the
consfitution. ] think that the state
should conduct thorough inves.iga-
fion OF this matter, examining the
railroad figures with view TO de.
termining whether or not they are
correct. before deciding the ques-
ficn.-
Senator r. Walter Taylor. a mem
Dor OF the senate railroad commit |
tee. declared that the whole matter
hinged upon the correctness of the
0surcs presented 70 the legislature
BY the roads, ''n they are correct |
the same conditions exist IN Michi. !
ran - in West virginia and we are
- duty bornd 20 allow the raise
~ sssd.
~ r. for Us 70 determine whether
TIE csses are nerpIiei an check.
Inc nm the Secures for severat years
back but hrvc not arrived at
fennitc rcnc'us'cu as yet.-
Rep A'hsrt y pr'e-man OF caIu.
met. decia-ed TIT the rur-eme court
decjsion prnciiesllr settled the cssa
Of the nulnth. South Shore and Az.
Isntic. which has been Hcbfine the
tworent Fare law ever sluce its pas
eare "The n. s. 8. q a. has made
. showing 10 the courts witch IL
evsctiy parallel with fhe West viz
e5nsa csse." said Req Pe'erman.
SENATOR George Williams =,
Honshfon declared that the United
otst~s courts d.rision hit the Mich.
ieAn case exactly"