I am conducting an inquiry into the practices of
railroads in this State in the granting of free
transportation, and particularly with reference
to their issuance of such transportation to miniSr
ters of religion and charitable and eleemosynary
workers, and when the facts in regard thereto
have been fully developed, should you so desire,
I will with pleasure advise you of the results of
the inquiry.
After stating the general practise of (he
railroads e.s- stated by them tn th< ir r<
Air. Candler adds—
It is further alleged that it is against the rules
and orders of all the carriers for conductors or
ticket collectors to pass or to allow any person
to ride free without written authority from cer
tain officials of each road, which must be. exhibited
or surrendered to the conductor or collector.
The almost universay rule among the carriers,
seems to be to confer only on a few officials,
generally of the highest rank, authority to issue
passes.
You will note that I am not expressing any
opinion as to these claims, or whether the alleged
facts are true or not.
I am at this time simply giving them to you as
the alleged conditions under which free transpor
tation js granted, and the practices of the carriers
in regard thereto-.
Our rules require the reporting to this Com
mission in detail of every such transax-tic-n.
Now, I am prepared to prove (hat on the
occasion referred to by me in hist week’s Jef
fersonian. the Roman Catholic priest did not
exhibit any pass, much less surrender it to the
conductor. y
I am also prepared to prove that so far as
the Baptist preachers are concerned, they are
compelled to pay the 2 cent-a-milc rate, and
do not ride free.
