Arizona republican., 1918-05-06

zona to California, also from central and southern Arizona to northern Ari zona mountain districts. Climate con ditons central and southern Arizona make it imperative that people be af- forded an opportunity to leave the heated period, life and health being at stake, affecting particularly women and children, and We must, therefore, seriously object to the cancellation of intrastate rates and earnestly urge you to continue the interstate fares.
 Daily trains are operating and will continue to operate handling trans- continental traffic, and no additional expense would result in taking the Arizona passengers. If reduction in operation expense is sought, it can be more easily obtained by elimination of dual train service between Phoenix and Los Angeles.
 Arizona Corporation Commission.
 New Question
 Confronted by the announced inten- tion of the railroad administration to cancel, if possible, the summer tourist rates between points in Arizona and to coast points on only one days notice and before May s. if it can be done, the people of Phoenix and other points in central and southern Arizona may be compelled to remain at home dur ing all the long, hot summer or pay the high rate of regular fare in force in this state.
 The intention of the railroad admin istration to cancel rates within this state brings up an entirely new ques- tion of authority. Heretofore, it has been conceded that the state corpora | tion commission exercised absolute authority in the fixing of railroad rates within the state, the fixing of inter- state rates being clearly the province of the interstate commerce commits sion.
 With the passing of the railroads in 1 to the hands of the government and the direction of operation to one man. l W. G. McAdoo, the commission and all other authorities are entirely at sea as to whether the old ortier of things has gone by the board As to whether the director general, MT. Me- Adoo, has the authority or will at tempt to exercise such authority to override the state corporation commis sion and order the cancellation of rates | of fare during the summer from point to point within the state. the mem bers of commission are not prepared to answer.
 High Rates .rere
 We are asked by the assistant re- gional director of the western division to cancel these rates on one days mo- tice. and not later than May 6, said Sam W. Proctor, secretary of the cor poration commission has no jurisdic- tion over any rates except those with in this state. but heretofore their au- thority in this respect has never been successfully contested. The corpora tion commission has wired a vigorous protest against such a cutting off oi summer rates and also the cancelling of rates to coast points.
 Weather conditions are such in thi. state during the long, hot summer that it really is a serious matter to discon. tinue rates that make it comparative ly easy for people, especially womer and children, to go to mountain point. for a time during the warmest of sum. mer,' added Mir. Proctor. "Intrastat. traffic is large, the rates being iron one far to a fare and a third for tn, round trip.
 Our straight fare in this state il
 four cents a mile, against three cent
 and even two cents elsewhere. an,
 even with the reduced rates, they d,
 not place us on an equal standing witt
 many other points. The corporation commission will certainly do all in it , power to prevent the cancelling o these summer tourist rates heretofor , enjoyed by so many people,"