Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 53, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 March 1915 — RAILROAD FARE BILL KILLED [ARTICLE]

RAILROAD FARE BILL KILLED

Public Will Continue to Ride For Two Cents Per Mile For . The Present. The railroad fare bill, which was drafted to meet recommendations of Governor Ralston in providing that the public service commission be empowered to grant increases of not more Jihan half a cent a mile over the present two cent passenger fare rate, when proof of the need of increased return was supplied by the petitioning company, met with strenuous opposition. The rate question, which was caucused on by the democrats, was not made a party measure and was killed by a vote of 59 against to 35 for. The subject was discussed generally, the author pointing out that expenditures of the companies had increased and in some instances had doubled, since 1907, when the two cent fare law was enacted. Representative Benz said if “this bill is passed, we might as well pass a measure making the fares straight two and one-half cents a mile.” He declared there are three members of the public service commission who were railroad lawyers. Representative Judkins asked, “I found I made nothing out of my business last year, and who am I going to for relief, the legislature?” He predicted “if increased rates were made possible the increased revenue would be used to raise salaries of officers.”

Members contended that enactment of such, a law would give the steam companies approximately $3,800,000 increased revenue each year, while it was estimated the increase for the electric lines would be no less than $3,300,000. Members who spoke for the bill, said their constituents were anxious they do so in hopes of the increase benefitting business. Representative Wood’s bill concerning petitions asking for elections to aid steam and interurban roads passed the house Wednesday without opposition. Another bill killed in the house was the Krau bill, passed by the senate to permit newspapers to enter into advertising contracts with railroads for mileage. As there is no state law at present forbidding making such contracts such a bill is really unnecessary.