The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-05-22
RAILROAD COMMISSION SAYS NO
Will Not Stand for Increase on Com.
modify Rates on Eureka's Local Road

Carson Appeal: Under the pro-
visions of an amendment to section a
of the Railroad Commission law, the
commission has been given the power
to suspend any advances in rates filed
by corporations under the commits
sion'sjurisdiction. whenin its opinion
such advanced rates may be detri-
mental to the interests of shippers
or the public. The suspension of
rates may be made by the commission
on its own motion or upon receipt of
a protest from parties affected by the
advances. The law provides that the
commission may enter an order prior
to the effective date of the increased
rates, suspending the same for a
period not to exceed 60 days. that a
hearing and investigation shall be
held at which all parties in interest
may be heard, and further, that if it
is impossible to complete the investi-
cation within the 60 days an order
may be entered suspending the rates
under consideration for a period of
60 days more. When the investiga-
tion is completed it is the duty of the
commission to enter an order, either
approving the increased rates or re-
fusing to allow the same to be made
effective, according to the result of
the investigation.
This method of procedure will in
sure the public and the corporations
absolute protection in the matter of
advances in rates, for the reason that
in cases where rates r increased
which appear to seriously affect the
interests of the public. the commits
sion may suspend them temporarily,
all parties are given an opportunity
to appear and be heard at the hear
ings. and in ease the rates are shown
to be justified by the corporation
they must be allowed to become eff
fective, while if the showing does
not justify the increased rates they
must be permanently suspended.
In making its suspension order per-
manent, it is of course understood
that if at any time in the future con-
ditions should change so as to lead
the corporation to believe that the
increased rate would be justified,
tariff may be filed increasing the
rate again, but of course such tariff
would be subject to suspension and
investigation as before.
Under the law any rate that has
been in effect for a long period of
time is considered prima facia a just
and reasonable rate, and any party
making a complaint and alleging
such rate to be exorbitant must prove
his case before the commission can
order a reduction. Under the new
amendment the same principle is in
volved. the procedure being different
for the reason that the corporation
must prove that the increased rate
is justified, the old rate having been
in effect for a long period of time
and being considered the prima facia
reasonable rate.
The commission has, under the
provisions of this amendment to the
Railroad Commission law, issued
three orders suspending increased
rates for a period of 60 days from
the date the carriers proposed to
make them effective.
The first is an order entered in In
vestigation and Suspension Docket
No. /, suspending increased rates
proposed by the Nevada Transporta-
ion Company, which operates the
Iureka-N Nevada Railway.
The rates suspended cover the fol-
commodities moving from
oalisade to Eureka, Blackburn and
having originated at points
n the State of Nevada:
Coal-fuel and blacksmith in car
Dad lots; gasoline, in carload lots;
lumber and poles for mining pur-
,oses, in carload lots; lumber mot
nanufactured). lath. shakes.
hingles, logs and piekets, in carload
nd less than carload lots; potatoesin
ny quantity. and rates on ore of var
,us valuations moving between any
oints on the road.
This suspension order was issued
Iarch 80, 1915, and the increased
.tes were suspended until June 80.
Dis.