Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1918-03-13
M'ADOO MAY FIX
RAILROAD RATES
Judge Youmans Permanently
Enjoins Enforcement of
Two-Cent Fare.
INCREASES ARE EXPECTED
Case Has Been Most Notable
Legal Battle in History
of the State.
HEARING STARTED IN 1915
Attorneys for Defendant Will
Not Venture Opinion of
Next Move.
INCREASES ARE EXPECTED
HEARING STARTED IN 1915

OKLAHOMA CITY, March IA
higher passenger rate in oklahoma
may be put into effect Immediately
and higher freight rates are con-
sjdcred assured. as the result OF a
decision in tho long pending 2-cent
fare. ease. announced today by Judge
Frnnk A. YoumAns Of the United
States district court for the western
District of Arkansas.
Judge YoumAns permanently en-
,oined The enforcement OF the 2-cent
rate provision OF the Oklahoma
state constitution. holding this rate
10 be- confiscatory and discrimlnn-
tory against Interstate railroad bust
rsss 4 permanent INJUNCTION
against the oklahoma State Corpora
tion commission to prevent 1t from
fixing freight and passenger rates
and granting relief from orders al
ready made. also was granted by
Judge Youmans.
McAdoo May FIJI.
while IL was held by the court
that the two-cent rate IL unjust. n
new rate was not fixed and the state
officials and railroad attorneys spec
ulated today as To how rate may
be determined and as TO what will be
the next move In the case. which. In
without doubt the most notable legal
battle In tho states history. Some
we're Of the opinion that W. q. Nc
Adoo. director general OF tho rail-
roads might be requested to fix rates
snce the government now Is guar
snteelng To the railroads n return on
the investment and has the power to
insure such n return,
A decision OF Judge Youmans was
made on n number OF cases which
should he consolidated at different
times into one cause. The state cor
poration commission and other state
officials were defendants in all OF
them Plaintiffs were the Missouri,
Khnssr a Texas railroad; the Atchi-
son. Topeka q Santa Fe: the Gulf.
Colorado a Santa Fe: the Rock Is
land and the Frisco. The Kansas
city Southern had a separate case.
but agreed by stipulation TO abide
BY the decision In the consolidated
ease.
Original bills in this case were
filed September 20. 1909. In 1910
temporary injunction against the
enforcement OF the tAo cent rate
provision was obtained by the rail
roads and a three cent rate was put
into effect and remained in effect
for three vesry-ts1i. 1912 and
clips were issued TO passengers
stofund had the two cent rate beon
upheld In 1914 be two cent rate
Hain obtained ana the railroads
. osEan 10 make preparations 20 get
The case At issue.
Youmans Hears Testimony. !
Judge YoumAns began hearing
testimony in the case Marsh Is,
lglb In Oklahoma City. fhs actual
hking OF testimony required many
months In all ssss printed pARes
cf testimony we're offered, which
amounted to more than 10000 type
written pages. Between 400 and 500
exhibits were offered.
Judge ioumans' ruling also set
aside the rule made by the state
corporation compission requiring
railroads to nle prospective in
ereases In passenger and freight
rates with the com mission. The in.
Junction against the enforcement of
lhh rule by the corporation commits
no'i also permanent, and II prac-
ueaily ties the hands OF the com
MISSION SO far MS the regulation OF
iAllroads is concerned.
Attorneys In the case had not had
ume TO read the opinion carefully
,hS afternoon and none would ven
Ire an opinion as To it's effect and
Nnat would be the Immediate de-
nrelopment In the case. Attorney
vsneral Freeling announced that he
SVuid confer with the state corpora
n committee ut the earliest pos
"e moment and determine what
sAies further action would be.