Omaha daily bee., 1915-12-23
ADVANCE IN RATES
BEFORE OFFICIALS
OF five STATES
Members of the Commissions and
Their Attorneys Spend Day in
Conference Debating What
Course to Pursue.
THREE PROPOSITIONS ARE UP
That of Appealing from Decision of
Commerce Commission Decided
Only Way to Secure Relief.
QUESTION IF APPEAL WILL LIE

Members of the state railway
commissions of five of the states that
are included within the boundaries
OF Western Passenger association
territory, together with the attor-
neys general and legal representa-
tves of the commission met In con-
ference in Omaha yesterday to de-
wise ways and means for mbatting
the recent decision of the Interstate
Commerce. commission authorizing
the railroads to increase their pas
senger rates from 2 to "a cents per
mile. The meeting was practically
continuous; starting at 10 O'Clock in
the morning and concluding at 6
o'clock last night, with one-half hour
taken out for lunch.
When final adjournment was
taken last night Clifford Thorne of
the Iowa State Railway commission
for the commissioners and for the
legal representatives gave out the
following, asserting that no final ac-
tion was taken and that no line of
faction was decided upon:
"It was the sense of the meeting that
the decision of the Interstate Commerce
commission in the western passenger
advance rate case in its general applica-
tion and the basis followed by the COM
mission in reaching its conclusions ara
subject to serious legal objections, and
that the various states should resist the
order of the commission increasing pas
senger fares throughout the west pro-
viding methods of review in court exist" 4"
Those who Were Here.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors at the Hotel Loyal and was
attended by the following: Clifford
Thorne, chairman; II. T. Clarke. 7. F.
Hall and II. G. Taylor of the Nebraska
commission Clifford Thorne. Wayne Ell
lis and j. II. Wilson of the Iowa eomplis-
sion; c. L. Eimquist Of the Minnesota
commission: w. IL Stutsman, Of the
North Dakota commission, u. G. Powell,
rate clerk of the Nebraska commission;
Willis Reed. attorney general for Ne
braska; Lydan Smith, attorney general
for Minnesota; Attorney General Cozzens,
Iowa; A. Helm attorney general for Kan
sas; J. w. Murphy and II. r. Ritzing. as
sistants to the attorney general of Kan
sas. in addition TO a battery OF chief
clerks and stenographers.
1t is not probable that the meeting OF
members of state railway commissions
and attorneys will end the fight against
the advancing of passenger rates as
authorized by the Interstate Commerce
commission. 1t Is possible that this meet
ing marks the beginning OF a legal battle
between the states in Western Passenger
Nessociation territory and the railroads, a
battle that perhaps will last for years.
Three PrOpbsItIOns.
When the commissioners and attorneys
went into session yesterday they were
confronted by three propositions. One
was that they drop the fight against the
advance In rates and accept the decision
OF the Interstate Commerce commission
as being final. This proposition was
dropped without being given serious con-
sderation.
The second proposition that came UP.
but which was not given serious thought,
was that OF asking for a rehesring before
the commission. This was quickly re-
jected. It being generally asserted that
the Interstate Commerce commission hav-
ing decided in favor of the advance from
2 TO "a cents per mile could hardly be
expected to reverse itself
The third and last proposition to re-
ceive consideration was that of an ap-
peal to the United States court, and II
any action is taken this will be the final
outcome. However. the State Railway
Continued on Page Two. Column Four.)