New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-12
NOTIFICATION or WISCONSIN, RAILROAD
LAWS.

DISsATISFACTION OF RAILROAD COMPANIES ON AC-
COUNT OF THE SLIGHT CHANGE IN THE POTTER
LAw-sMALL AMOUNT OF THE INCREASED IN
COME EXPECTED.
[FRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUSEl
MILWAUKEE, March 4.-Even thus early some
OF the fruits of the passage OF the relief measure In
the modification OF the Potter law beginning to be
gathered. The officers OF the Milwaukee and st. Paul
Railroad telegraphed Est to-day u cancel an option
contract made several weeks ago for 5000 tons Of steel
rails The Company purchased 5000 tons outrght-all
1t could anord-as well secured the above option,
hoping that the repeal of the Potter law would enable
1t complete the latter purchase. The officers have
also abandoned the idea Of building elevator in
this CITY, which had determined upon conditionaly
as above and the La Crosse bridge work over the Mis-
sissppi has been indefinitely postponed.
The officers Of the Company made q very unexpected
offer to the Railroad Committee before they reported on
the new measure, namely that II they would report
law liking ximum the Company would agree to
take the lowest tariff 1t had ever worked under for such
rates They represented to the Committee that their
credit had been impaired by the tampering with their
rates. and capital had been frightened away In conse
ouence; but that IL the Legislature once agreed to
fixed rate beyond which the companies should never 20,
il would be acceptable TO the Company, which would
reorganize itself to adapt itself to the circum-
stances and would restore their credit TO some degree
Of stability. But modification of the Potter rates,
ing the figures, would be another interference
with tho Company's property. which could only
have the effect OF unsettling confidence still
more. They pleaded without effect. The revenue
that will be derived from the additional rates
allowed by the new measure has been estimated to
amount 10 $4,000 100000 per annum-or, AS Mr. Mer
r general manager satirically says abolt enough TO
nav for greasng the cat-wheels."
had interview with the general manager and Mr..
Gault. assistant manager to-day. and found them
signed commands of the law They said they
should run the trains usual but could hardly be
pected that they should maintain the organization OF
rst-cass road They had done all they could in oppos
ton to this scheme and refused to accept II as
promise fair settlement OF the difficulty. but
would Loyalty obey 1t until the decision OF the Unitod
States Supreme Court given in the matter. They
hope that that court will declare the uDcOnstuOnaity
OF the legislation referred to. They think they have
right to complain Of being singled out for oppressive
legislation, the Legislature having placed the
smaller companies formerly in Class b."
in Glass &C" which practically leaves them
untrammcled while the large companies on which the
law pressed most grevousy have been retained Ia
class "a" The discrimination in taxation Is another
grievance; the smaller companies having been ex-
emped from taxation while the larger have had their
Ration raised from three to four cent The rail
officers have made the following tabulated state
men showing the tariff OF 1873 the rates under the
Potter law, aud those under the "relief" measure
mas