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Show DECISION ON MILEAGE BOOKS USES C0NFUS1 Tribune: The exact status of the mileage book as legal tender for transportation has been a subject for consjderable discussion In local railroad rail-road circles since the decision of the United States supremo court In a case originating in North Carolina. In the case, which arose on the Southern railway, Justice Hughes of the United States supreme court decided that the rules governing the use of mileage books are to be construed literally, and that tho provision forfolttng the book, or tickets issued in exchange therefor, if presented by other than the original purchaser, means exactly what it says. But he construed tho rulo as not working a forfeiture If the book should bo presented by the original purchaser, oven if presented for the fare of another passenger. A man in North Carolina purchased two 1000-mile tickets for an interstate journey He exchanged the coupons for the necessary mileage In tickets covering transportation for himself and wife. When he presented tho tickets the conductor took up the coupon cou-pon book, holding that the man had forfeited the book by presenting it as transportation for his wife. The court held that so long as the tickets and mlleager book were presented pre-sented by tho original purchaser the rule of forfeiture did not apply, no matter who rode on the transportation. transporta-tion. The question in local railroad circles cir-cles is just how far-reaching the decision de-cision may be. Local passenger officials of-ficials are not Inclined to pass upon the matter finally until the exact wording of the contract of tho mileage mile-age books of the Southern railway Is known It Is generally believed, how over, that the wording of the contract in connection with the books used in the west will prevent the use of the books as a means of transportation for others than those mentioned in the contract. Some of the western roads are not deeply interested in the matter, as they issue scrip instead of mileago books, but with those who issue miloage books it is a matter of considerable importance. on |