Show NEW BATTLE OVER COAL RATES SEEN Citizens Citizens' s' s Body to Fight Rail Move to Blo Block k Freight Cut J GROUP ANNOUNCES ANNOUNCES PLAN I Roads Seek eek to Halt Cent 50 I Reduction Ordered S SA I A renewed battle over intrastate freight rates on coal loomed Thursday Thursday Thurs Thurs- day when the Utah Citizens Citizens' Rate as association as- as enno announced onn it would oppose efforts of rail carriers to block a reduction reduction reduction re re- in rates The statement followed application by major railroads f for r a a rehearing in inthe inthe the case in which the st state te public utilities commission ordered reductions lions of at least 50 cents a a ton on lump coal l end and proportionate revisions for slack coal moving from Carbon county mines to Utah cOmmon common points The Utah Citizens Citizens' Rate association will oppose all efforts of rail carriers to block a reduction in freight rates on intrastate coal shipments whether they be through further hC hearing before before be be- fore rore the commission or court action Ernest D. D Solm Salm executive secretary of at the association said The rate association which mitt mitt- and prosecuted the fight tight for lower rates will twill continue to serve inthe in inthe inthe the public interest with one objective objective tive Live in view that of ot securing a lower cost to the consumer Cut Cat Is Delayed Prospects for foz an immediate reduction reduction tion Lion of retail coal cool prices in Utah vanished vanished vanished van van- as asa a Q result of the application filed with the commission Wednes day Contending that the low rates r rd TO re- d dered r d' d would too If i Iii a I loss Si of S o s sev several v v era eral hundred thousand dollars annually annually annu annu- ally to the railroads their petition assails the commissions commission's action as unjust and unlawful and asks asb for cancellation cancellation cancellation can can- o of ol the order a stay in a required rate Irate redu reduction tion and the re re- hearing The commissions commission's order was i. i issued December 12 and the carriers were notified to place in effect the new low schedule of rates within 20 days which would be January 1 11 Date for arguments of the petition probably will be set by the commission this week and if the rehearing is granted ranted the ordered rate reduction will be suspended suspend d case is de decided It was pointed out however that in the event the application for a rehearing rehearing rehearing re re- re- re hearing is denied by the commission the railroads railroads' can seek an injunction in federal court or apply to the state supreme court for lor a review of ot the case Either course would prevent the commission from rom forcing the carriers carriers car car- to obey its edict temporarily at least Counsel Files Flies Petition The petition was filed by J. J A. A Gallaher Gallaher Gallaher Gal- Gal laher of Denver counsel for the Denver Den Den- Denver Denver ver Rio Grande Western railroad who also represented other carriers affected by the ruling The commission the railroads com corn complained exceeded its authority ruled contrary to evidence and is attempting attempting attempt attempt- ing to confiscate property without due proc process of law |