Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1875-02-25

have cot exceeded in cost other States
and countries. The following is
THE AVERAGE REPORTED COST PER NILE OF RAIL.
ROADS.
Wisconsin -............ - 9oo,foo
Southern States. .............. Sb,994
New England States. .......... 47,S4O
Western States... ..... ........ OF, 20
Middle States. .................. oIlot
Pacific States. ................ So,osO
limited States 49,. 53,567
Canada ......... ....... 70,l60
south America. !. 49,. s7,0os
Europe OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. l2S,2io
In 1874 there were but eighty
seven miles of railway constructed
ia this State. as follows.
Wisconsin Valley extension to Wausau. 80
North Wisconsin extension. ............ 70
Chippewa Valley Railway, Eau Claire to
Chippewa Falls. ........ ........... IL
Galena and Southern Wisconsin, State
THE LAW OF 1874,
known as the Potter LAWS discussed
at considerable length. tits claimed
that it il the result of q rather
late awakening of the people, es-
pecialIy the producing population,
to the important fact that while
none of the railway companies by
whom they were served were over
prosperous, yet some of them had
long been indulging in certain acts
of unjust partiality and anreasona
BILE charges, which ought to be cor
rected. and that the constitution of
the State afforded them the basis of
an adequate legal remedy. Its chief
merits are discussed under the fol-
lowing heads: sit is based on the
principle of general rather than spe-
cific legislation maximum pre-
ferable to specific rates." sit pro-
vdes for correct information as q
basis of future action )" sit bears
heavily on the new roads," "the law
is not sufficiently elastic )" "the law
takes no account of short distance !"
sit fixes maxim for carloads" st
makes onnecting lines as continuous.
but is silent as to any division of
earnings - sit imposes duties impos-
sible of accomplishment )" "the law
inadequately provides for enforce
mont" The question of remedial
measures is discussed at length. The
report winds up with the followin G
SUMMARY OF CONCLUSIONS
Having compiled as full and care
ful survey as possible of the whole
field of inquiry, your Commissioners
present the following summary OF
the more important conclusions they
have formed. The only form of rail
way control likely to prove success
full under present conditions Is the
legislative, supplemented by direct
supervision the Legislature laying
down general rules of action, but
leaving the application and enforce
ment of these rules to commission.
A judicious application of this
method requires
|. A determination by the COM
missioners of the actual cash value
of each railroad, such value not to
be greater than the actual cost there
of, aud the valuation subject to legis-
lative revision.
2. An annual determination OF the
gross and net earnings OF each COM
pany from the reports of companies
by actual inspection of books and
affairs, and by all other practicable
methods.
3. A division of roads into Two
classes the first class including all
roads paying reasonable compen-
sation on valuation, and the second
class including al other roads.
4. A maximum of rates of fare
and freigh for roads ascertaned to
belong to the first class, such maxi
mum being subject to legislative re-
vision,
5. No restriction of earnings upon
roads of second class, except by way
of remedying unjust discrimination.
6. Prohibition of unjust discr'mi-
nation and unreasonable or excessive
rates on all roads; any person COM
planning of discrimination or extor-
Tomato charges having the right OF
appeal to the Board OF Commission
ers under such rules as to evidence
of facts as tho missioners may
determine, the board determining
the fact of discrimination on evil
dence and notice to both sides, and
its conclusions to DO prima facio evi
dence as to the fact of discrimination
or of unreasonable charges.
z. Additional police regulations,
especially as to running connections
and tho passage of freight from one
road to another.
s. Limited power of the commits
sioners to require repair Of roads, i'm
provemeDt of roads or rolling stock,
and increased accommodations for
passenger travel.
9. Full and complete publicity of
rates of fare and freight.
10. Publicity of all important con-
tracts and agreements between rail-
way companies, and of their business
transactions generally.
H. Greater uniformity and COM
pleteness Of accounts, as we'll as
greater fullness and frequency of re-
ports.
II. Adequate penalties for the fall
sifcation or concealment of earnings
and expenditures or other facts.
Is. Efficient means for tho prompt
enforcement of all the provisions of
the law at the expense of the State.
Royal ARCH MAsoNs.-At late
meeting of Royal Arch Masons of
Wisconsin the following officers were
elected for the ensuing year: