Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 39, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1907 — Two Cent Fare Laws Void. [ARTICLE]

Two Cent Fare Laws Void.

By a ruling just agreed upon by the interstate commerce comnission all two-cent fare legislation—so far as it touches interstate traffic has been declared to be void Indiana is vitally concerned in this ruling, which was prepared by Commissioner, James Harlan, be canse a two-cent fare law is in es; feet here and people generally have believed that it would cut down the rate when traveling to points outside of the state. Such is not the case however, and the railways can proceed as tho there were no such law where interstate traffic is concerned. For # instance, the law will not be effective between Rensselaer and Chicago, for a straight trip, altho Illinois also has a two-cent fare statute. And tbe reason is found in the fact that interstate commerce is an exclusive right vested by the Hepburn law in the federal government. State laws affect only state traffic according to this ruling, The commission, therefore, will disregard aßy state railway commissions and acts passed by state legislatures and will undertake to deal with inter state traffic rates and regulations in entire disregard of local authorities. * Hence, the Indiana statute iB only effective in traveling within the state. Tljp rate goes between Rensselaer and Indianapolis, bnt not between here and Chicago, according to the commission, and the commission apparently knows what it is talking about. Thus, a twocent fare law to be generally effective would have to be a federal measure. The interstate commerc e commission might then have the pleasure of enforcing the same. However, the ruling will not prevent railroads from giving a two cent inter state rste if they want to, and we presume that the Monon will continue its rates to Chicago and Louisville at that figure. Try a Republican “ want ad.”