Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-12

the citizens of this State.
In conjunction with the Portland
Chamber of Commerce we had already
been considering this same matter and
sent out to the several railroads let
ter. copy Of which is inclosed.
Telephone conversation which | have
had with some of the railroad officials
leads me to believe that they will CO.
operate with the commission in afford
ing all reasonable relief.
Very sincerely yours,
BENZ. F. CLEANES.
Chairman.
The Letter to Railroads.
February 8, 1918.
Maine Central Railroad Company,
Boston and Maine Railroad,
Grand Trunk Railway System,
Portland Terminal Company,
Canadian Pacific Railway,
Bangor and Aroostooll Railroad Com
pany.
A request has been made to this
Commission by the Portland Chamber
of Commerce that we take some action
in regard to the matter of free time for
the storage of baggage at railway sta
tons. The specific request relates to
the peculiar results to travelling sales
men caused by the "Workless Mon
days" several of which we have al
ready had and others of which are to
follow.
AS we understand the present rules
of the railroad companies, if baggage IS
left with the railroad company at any
t%
without expense to the owner until the
same hour the following Monday and if
either Saturday or Monday is a legal
holiday and observed as such, such
holiday and the Sunday preceding or
following arc together regarded as a
Sunday and no additional charge FOR
storage upon such holiday made, re
sultinS in the right Of a person to place
his baggage in the baggage room Of the
company on a Friday preceding holt
day occurring upon Saturday and have
the same stored without expense until
Monday morning: or placing it In the
baggage room at any time upon Satur-
DAY preceding holiday which falls
upon Monday and taking the same out
on Tuesday of any time prior to the
hour at which it was deposited the
previous Saturday.
The travelling statesmen of the State
regard the present situation with rel
crcnce to these particular Mondays as
something which has not been created
by them. something for which they are
in no way responsible, and resulting IN
/ each of such Mondays being to all in
tents and purposes holiday and day
upon which the travelling statesmen do
not start out for their work as they
formerly have done, but delay their
starting until Tuesday. They feel that
the railroads should fairly so amend
their existing tariffs that during the
period of these Mondays such days
] should be regarded as legal holidays
and the free time for storage OF bag
gage extended to include such Gays as
I holidays.
! You are well aware that under the
existing law this commission would
have no authority to compel you 70
make this change except upon COM
plant of 10 people or upon COM
plant initiated upon its own motion,
followed by 10 days notice to You
expiration of the first 10 days before a
hearing could be had. Such a pro-
/ cedurc would necessarily result in a
delay of three or four weeks, and 1t oc-
Cured to US that the railroads might
regard this suggestion of the travelling
men as entirely proper and one with
which the railroads could and ought to
| cheerfully comply.
You are also, of course, aware that
schedules may he amended upon less
than statutory notice in proper cases
/ where the railroads make application
therefore and obtain the consent OF the
commission. Permit me 70 say that II
/ the railroads should see fit to make APP
plication for this change in their tariffs
we would permit the same to become
effective on one days notice.
Will you give this matter very
prompt attention and if any action is
TO be taken try and have the same eff
fective by Feb. 10. so that Monday,
/ Feb. is may he free day?
! 4 COPY of this letter goes to the
! Portland Chamber of Commerce. which
! body first called the matter to our at
I tention.
Very sincerely yours,
BENZ. +. CLEANES,
Chairman.