Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-02-06
RAILROADS ASK
 AID OF PEOPLE Appealing to Spirit of Fair ness of Individuals Instead of Going to Legislature.
WANT 3-CENT RATE E
Representatives of Railways Circulat. < ing Petitions to Legislature for Res- torati0n of Old Passenger Rate.
 Compromise Ofier.

'Wltn unWOnted acllVlty sOn the part of railroads, shippers, state and interstate commissions and traffic experts generally, the past few weeks the present session of the legislature appears to have brought about one thing out of the ordinary, in that the railroads are appealing direct to rne, people of the state for help in their movement to have passenger rates restored to the 3-cent-a-mile basis in this state.
 The hearing on the proposed new tariff of freight ratjs by the state , commission has beSa started. and will be resumed as soon as an inter- state hssfing at Memphis is con cluded; the hearing at Memphis con- cerns the petition of Memphis to be given the right of shipping to Ar : kansas points at Arkansas state rates; the petition of Pine Bluff to the interstate commerce commits sion, for recognition as river point and for the promulgation of combina :, tion rail and water rates from points north and east, is to be given hear ing early in the summer; the rail- roads are trying to bring about q  of shippers and travellers against them; and finally, the roads are {, trying to have the limit raised, in the , passenger rate matter.
 Perhaps never before haze there been so many matters of such lm- portance to shippers and roads pend- ing before the people and the peo- ple's representatives, as at this time 7 Certainly never before hay.. shippers /. been so active in looking after the adoption of reasonable rates and 1T bringing about remedies for alleged : defects. Most positively there has never been T time in the history oi ' the state when the railroads were directing so strong a plea for help to the people.
 Petitions were in circulation yester- z day among the people of Pine Bluff to be presented the members of thS : legislature, asking that tho 3-cent passenger rates be, restored, and il is stated the petitions were numer ously signed. The Chamber of com laerCe has been aske dto endorse this movement, but because the trustees of the organization do not mee; ' again until Friday next, the questicI cannot be acted upon until that date
 Basis of Compromise.
 A large number of pamphlets have 5 been distributed among the people O the city. and especially among tht business men, telling in detail of tht { compromise proposed by the rail F roads in the rebsse matter, and an nouncing that if the shippers ant passengers will state their approva Of the compromise to the railroad commission, that body will present l to the United States court at Littl, Rock for contamination.
 The proposition of the railroads il full is as follows:
 "'rhe railroads will,
 "First-Pay s65,000 to the state il ninety days. e ~s@
 \ Second Pay .all expenses of ths masters office and court costs.
 x stThird-Pay all passenger claim' in full, without interest. in transfer able interstate mileage, good for twt years
 "Fourth-Pay 50 per cent of tn. principal of all freight claims allow cd by the master in transferabI, scrip, good for two years for inSar state freight charges. except,
 cal The railroads will rsssry' the right to try all exceptions as tt