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Show ICES M" THE MUDS The Two Cent Fare Law Paised by Last PeBBtylvania Legislature Declared Unconstitutional. The Railroads Made a Strong But Losing Fight Against the Enactment of ths Law, Dut They Now Seem to Have the Best or the Argument. Philadelphia. Judges Wilson and Audenrled, In the common pleas court on Tuesday, declared unconstitutional tho two-cent railroad faro law, passed by tho last legislature. Tho case upon which the doclslon waa mado will bo nt onco taketito the stato supremo court. The two-cent law wus enncted by tho legislature ns n residt of ngltatlon during dur-ing tho Inst political cumpalgn. all parties par-ties pledging themselves In fuvor of such legislation. Tho railroads, led by In Pennsylvania ond Heading, mado a strong fight ngnlnst tho enactment, but both branches -of-tho legislature pnssed tho bill with practically n unnnlmous vote. Tho net was to go Into oflect October 1. ino Pennsylvnnln war tho first to ottnek Its validity, bringing n suit In the local courts to restrain the county of Phllndetphla fiom collecting fine., Tor violating Its provisions. Tho hearing hear-ing lasted iiciin n week and nmong the witnesses were President McCrea nnd Bovernl of tho vlco presidents of the Pennsylvania roll-ond. Tho contention con-tention of the company was that tho Inw wiib not constltutlennl, and that tho tvMM'nut rate v.nh tlxed without nny Invectlgntlon on thu part of tho loglrfl.-ituto ns to whether tho rnllioada could mnko n lair profit under tho lnw, which the ;onfliit.iiy r.sserts It ennnot do. All other mllronds oporntlng In Pennsylvania have brought slmllnr proceedings In various counties of tho stato, but no decisions hnvo been rendered, ren-dered, as It Is understood thnt tho Pennsylvania suit will bo mndo tho tost caso In tho higher courts. |