White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1923-12-30
PASSENGER FARES IN NEVADA
TO Be REDUCED 25 PER Gent

Carson City, Dec. 27.-Perhaps the
most substantial Christmas gift to all
the people of Nevada came today when
the news was flashed over the wires
from the national capital that the in
terstate commerce commission had
granted the application made by the
Public Service Commission of Ne
vada in conjunction with like state or
ganizations in Arizona and New Mex
leo and ordered reduction of $50
on interstate passenger fares, effective
on or before February rs, 1924.
The present passenger fare rate on
all the large railway systems enter
ing Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico
from other states is 48c per mile and
the new rate will be 3.6c per mile.
When put in concrete form this
means a saving to the people of Ne
vada yearly in round figures the gi-
gantic sum of $2OO,000.00.
This can best be calculated by each
individual as his or her saving will
naturally depend upon the extent Of
their railroad travel.
Taking it as whole it means an
average annual saving of $3.50 per
capita This is a great accomplish
ment, especially in view of the fact
that the cost Of the maintenance of the
Public Service Commission of Nevada
IS in round figures only 25c per capita
and the saving made in this single
case will repeat itself year after year.
The news was received in the Of
fee of the public service commission
in a telegram to Chairman J. F..
Ehaughnessy from General Solicitor,
National Railway Commissions says:
Interstate Commission today made
public decision in your passenger fare
case holding that evidence shows
clearly Nevada, Arizona and New Mex
leo are entitled to mainline passenger
fares not relatively higher than other
mountain Pacific states. Order issued
requiring reduction as proposed in ex-
aminer's tentative report to standard
basis, effective on or before February
Is, Commissioner Hall dissenting. The
report shows that reversal of commits
sion's position is due to the thorough
way in which you prepared and pre-
rented your case. Cordial congratula-
lions on your victory"
This interesting wire was followed
by another telegram from Chairman
Amos A. Belts of the Arizona Commits
sion to Chairman Shaughnessy as fol-
lows:
Congratulations on passenger fare
decision. 1t is a most wonderful and
exceedingly acceptable Christmas gift
10 the people of Nevada, New Mexico
and Arizona"
This glorious victory for the people
of Nevada and her two sister states is
the result of battle which has been
waged by the state commissions be-
fore the interstate commerce commits
sion since 1920 when the complaint
was first filed and upon which hear
ing was had at Los Angeles.
The thee commissions were there
represented and Chairman Shalgh-
messy of the Nevada commission was
chosen to lead the forces in battle.
Arayed on the other side was long
line of the most adroit railroad at
torneys and rate experts representing
the great railway systems.
In 1921 a decision adverse to the
contention of Chairman Shaughnessy
and his associates was handed down
by the interstate commerce commits
sion. The courage Of the state Of
ficers, however, was equal to the occa-
sion and application was made for
rehearing and reargument. This was
granted and Chairman Shaughnessy
after preparing an exhaustive and
comprehensive brief went to Wash
ington and personally argued the case
before the full commission. The bat
tie was kept up and every step OF the
road to a final decision was fought
with the utmost vigor. The happy
ending may well be made the subject
for hearty congratulations to the peo-
pie of Nevada and to the Public Serv-
ice Commission for the results accom-
ylished in their interest.