The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1921-08-05
OPINION by THE COMMISSION:

OPINION by THE COMMISSION:
After a hearing at Phoebe, an or
der was entered on. tO-wit, May 2,
1921, denying this application, on
account of the showing by the citi-
zens of the Phoebe district, of a
substantial prospective increase in
business, due to pending mining de-
velopments.
Afterwards, the applicant made an
informal showing that the business
of this branch line was not increas-
ing, and an order was issued June
"a, reopening the case, and setting
it for further hearing on July 14th.
Correspondence with the former
protestants, which was read into the
record, indicated that they have
withdrawn from their former posi-
tion, apparently realizing that the
expected increase in shipments and
travel have not materialized. They
have asked, however, that daily mail
and express service be continued to
Phoebe, by auto carrier, or other
wise.
The branch in question extends
from Caliente, ON the main line of
the applicants railroad, to. Phoebe. a
distance of about 32.7 miles, and it
is shown by the exhibits and the evil
dence introduced ON behalf of the
company, that the actual loss ON the
branch without figuring overhead,
was $55320 in April, 1921: ST.
391.97 in May, and $1,039-S5 in
June.
1t would seem unjuss to force the
continuance of such loss, and there
is no indication that it wiN not
continue, so long as daily service is
required.
Auto stage and truck lines are in
operation between Caliente and
Phoebe, and they should be able to
take care of essential business, on
the days when the trains DO not
run
We believe that people of Phoebe
are entitled to daily mail and ex-
press service, but, from the record,
we do not believe the railroad Is
able to furnish it by automobile, as
shown that an effort was made to Sc
cure such an agreement with the
American Railway Express company,
without success, as that company
claims to have found such auto serv-
ice generally, unsatisfactory. There
is nothing, however. to prevent the
billing of express to Ca1iente, and
j, having the auto lines pick it up for
delivery to the consignee, at Phoebe,
under contract with such consignee.
Such packages as must be received
on days when trains do not run might
thus be satisfactorily taken care Of
The railroad has already suggested
to the post office department, the
advisability Of arranging for the
transportation Of the mail on such
days, and, with this lead followed up
by the people OF Phoebe, there is nc
reason to think that it will not be ar
ranged, If it be shown to that de.
partment, that the quantity of mai
justifies such contract. 1t the
amount of mail does not justify its
carriage by automobile, it certainly
does not justify the running of g
train for it's accommodation.
The applicant states that it's pro
tests against pending automobile ap
plications for certificates of publ,
convenience and necessity in the dis
trict involved. will be withdrawn, /
favorable decision is rendered OF
this application. 1t is also under
stood that it stands ready to re-es
tablish train service six times
week, whenever the business just
fies
The record Enthusiastically show
Ssthat the expected increase in bust
ness, upon which the former opinion
was based, has not yet been brough
problamatical, and we believe, 70
that reason, that no more than
temporary abandonment of the pres