The Topeka State Journal

HELD UP BY I. C. C.

Interstate Passenger Tariff for Kansas Is Suspended.

Not Until June 29, at Least, Will Higher Fares Apply.

IT WOULD HIKE MANY RATES

All Trips From State to Out of State Points Affected.

Increase Was to Have Gone Into Effect Monday Morning.

The interstate commerce commission has suspended the tariffs for the interstate passenger rate increase until June 29. The rates were to go into effect Monday, March 1.

The railways of twelve western states filed notice some time ago with the commission that they would raise the rates from one state to another from 2 cents to 2 1/2 and 3 cents a mile. That was followed by a formal protest of the railway commissions of those states, who filed a joint protest to the action. They asked the commission to suspend these rates. The public utilities commission of Kansas was one of the protesters.

Word of the decision of the interstate commerce commission was received in Topeka this afternoon. The commission has notified nearly every railway. The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific passenger traffic department received word of the order of suspension and immediately wired the Topeka headquarters. No official communication has been received by the Santa Fe up to 2:30 o'clock this afternoon, although one was expected at any time.

The railroads filed the notice of a rate increase with the commission a month ago, following the regulation of a 30-day notice before the tariff was to go into effect.

The commission has set a hearing for May 17. The hearing will be held in Washington and representatives of the railroads and the railroad commissions of the various states will be there to present their side of the case.

The tariff particularly affected Kansas and neighboring states. For passengers from any part of the state to Kansas City, Mo., the rate would be 2 1/2 cents a mile, while at the same time rates to Kansas City, Kan., just over the line across the Missouri city, would be only 2 cents a mile. In some localities the rate would be advanced to 3 cents a mile. That applied especially to Kansas towns that are near the borders of Nebraska and Colorado.

Thought Rates Too Low.

When filing their new rates with the commission, the railroads did so on the grounds that the present intra-state rates were too low. The roads said that they had the legal and moral right to raise the fares.

The new rates were arranged and everything was in preparation for the change next Monday. Ticket agents had received their full instructions and it was not until late today that word of the decision "simmered" into local railway circles before the official document had been received.

To many, the decision handed down today was not a complete surprise. To others, it was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Judge Helm of the public utilities commission stated at 12 o'clock this morning that he believed such a report would be issued within a day or two. Half an hour later he received word of the suspension in the tariffs.

The rate between Topeka and Kansas City, Mo., would increase 35 cents each way and the farther west a ticket was purchased, the rate would increase proportionately.

TO SUSPEND INCREASE

I. C. C. Decides Not to Allow Railroads to Raise Passenger Rates.

Washington, Feb. 26.--The interstate commerce commission has suspended the proposed increases in passenger rates in what is known as the "Western and Southwestern Passenger association territory." These increases were to go into effect March 1 next.

Interstate Commerce Commissioner Daniels had been assigned by the commission to proceed to Chicago and hold meetings there on the merits of the case, the hearings to begin on May 17.

The increases proposed amounted to half a cent a mile and a raise of the price of 2,000 miles from $40 to $45.