National Affairs: Two in a Berth

Last October Pullman Co. asked the Interstate Commerce Commission for permission to up its sleeping-car berth rates 20% when two passengers slept together.† Organizations of traveling salesmen protested. So did theatrical producers and agents who frequently send their chorus girls on tour "doubled up" in Pullman space. Last week the I. C. C. denied the increase.

The I. C. C.'s prime reason was that such an increase would automatically add to the surcharge of 50% already collected by the railroads from Pullman passengers. Declared the Commission: "Under the tariffs the second passenger in a berth does not occupy the space free. The sleeping car charge for a berth is for occupancy by two persons. If one person occupies a berth, that person is receiving less than the charge includes, but does not ... receive a reduction. . . ."

Pullman Co. denied that its rates were already based on two-in-a-berth.