Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-11-02

An emergency exists which justifies
the proposed increase in passenger
rates by the Maine Central Railroad
Co. and the Portland Terminal Com
pany. The approval of the increased
rates, made solely because of the pres
ent emergency, shall not excuse the
railroad companies from the burden of
justifying the increases if complaint is
made against them when the present
abnormal conditions shall have ceased
TO exist.
This is the position of the Public
Utilities Commission in its decision
following the investigation of the pas
Senger schedules filed last June. in
crcasing mileage rates from IA cents
to > 1-2 cents per mile, and local one
way rates from 1-2 cents to "a
cents per mile The decision is dated
November I, 1917, and takes effect i'm
mediately.
The schedules were filed to become
effective August l. 1917. No protests
were filed against them. but the Gov
crnor and Council, July 18th, requested
the Public Utilities Commission to
make a public investigat ton of them
and to suspend their opera ton during
ordered public hearing to be held in
Portland, July "a. 1917, at which and
at two adjourned sessions. August %
and August q, evidence was taken.
The rates were suspended, first I'M
til September /, 1917 and later for
three months from September /, 1917,
or until final decision could be made
if before the expiration of that period.
This 6aoieinn bo he off 90
eating that suspension
1t is interesting to note that the
.ates have been in effect since Septem-
Maine Central Railroad wholly within
the states of New Hampshire and Yer
mont and on it's interstate business,
neither of those states nor the Inter
state Commerce Commission having
ordered a suspension or made an in
vestigation.
The decision recites that Attorney
General Sturgis appeared in behalf of
the State, on the Commissions invita-
ton and assisted in the investigation,
and rendered valuable assistance, de-
voting a great deal of time and pains
taking effort to the case
Although both the proposed changes
were given wide publicity no protests
were filed or opposition offered from
any source whatever The hearings
were practically unattended by the
public.
The Portland Chamber of Com
merce was represented by its executive
secretary and it's traffic expert The
former at the first hearing, Joined in
the n a6 NJ IN OIL
opportunity to consider the schedules
Neither official offered any suggestions
q the adjourned hearings. except as
they with the general public We're rep
resented by the Attorney General. No
other trade, commercial or business or
ganization or individual was repre-
sented."
The decision states that the Attorney
General argued that the rates could not
be approved without physical valua
ton of the railroad. 1t finds that while
a valuation ought to be mace in rate
case if practicable, it is not ..he only
method of determining whether the
rates are just. and cites the Com
missions action in an earlier case in
reducing freight rates without vaiu-
alton.
II points out that a physical valua-
ton Of the Maine Central Railroad
Company by the Interstate Commerce
Commission has been in progress since
August, 1915; that the preliminary re
port is not expected until 1918. and a
final decision still later; that this has
already cost the Maine Central Rail-
road s13s.312.61 without counting the
cost to the Federal Government; and il
this Commission were now to start on
similar valuation much of this ex-
pense would be duplicated without any
hope Of completing the work before the
results of the Federal investigation
ought to become available.
ut would be wasteful and impractic-
able to do or cause to be done the work