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Show PASS QUESTION IS ' VM TAKEN UP ONCE MORE , H Washington, Feb. 3. Every rail- H road in the United States that issues ' H free transportation will bo prosecuted IH 1 by tho interstato commerce commis- H slon. An order notifying all railroads SH to appear befor that body and give IH evidence on this point was sent out jH today. H So many complaints have been made about violations of tho law prohibit- H , ing free transportation that the com- ' jH mission upon its own initiative de- IH cided to institute an investigation. Tho tH chief difference of opinion between H tho commission and the railroads lies H in the interpretation of tho law. Tin- der tho Interstate commerce statute lH both those who give and those who H receive free transportation are made H liable to fines of not loss than $100 IH nor more than $2,000 for each offense. It has "been brought to tho attontion H of the commission that nearly every jH Tailroad 3n the country (has bean ' H very generous to its frlonds in re- jH speot to fre transportation. If Eome H one of sufficient importance desired jH a pass it was given to him as "an ' H attorney," "contractor" or member of JH an employe's family," when the fa- fl yored ones were not members of H familios. ' jH Passes wero also issued to contract- . , H ors who did business with the rail- H H road companies. Passes are alBo pre- S 1 sentcd to "railroad officials." In many H Instances so-called railroad officials H were owners of railroads two or three H miles long used in logging operations l by the concerns which sold ties to - tM the railroads. These men travel all H over tho country without paying a H cent M The consideration received by the j jH roads is not disclosed in tho com- ' i plaints, but it is assumed by the com- H mission that it was something of jH |