The Grange advance., 1875-01-26

extends from St. Paul to Minneapolis,
the State. The first eleven miles of the
road, between the cities of Saint Paul and
Minneapolis, has the local business (as
we'll as the through traffic of the whole
main and branch lines), of at least sew
enty thousand people. There is no other
equal distance on the road that has the
local business Of one-twcntieth of this
population. 1t is obvious that that the
heavy traffic Of the frequent and crowded
trains between these cities can be done
at less cost than the light business Of the
western half of the main line, or, indeed,
any other part of the road. The COM
pany, adapting it's rates equitably to this
difference in cost, charged three cents
per regular passenger fare, and only
about two and half cents per mile for
round trip tickets between these cities.
while the fare on all other parts of the
road was five cents per mile. The Com
missioners we're satisfied that the rate of
| five cents per mile on the whole road was
not unreasonable, and established that as
the maximum rate. Under the law they
could make no exception or discrimina-
tion to secure a lower rate between the
cities named. The company, to protect
itself in the legality of the higher rate on
the line generally, advanced the fare on
this first eleven miles to tifty-ive cents
(from thirty), single fare, and seventy
five cents for the round trip, ((rom fifty
cents.
The conclusion forced upon the com.
missioncrs, from such facts is, that anv
amendments to the law shouldIbe in the
direction Of fexibility. that the rates may
be varied to equitably adapt them to the
circumstances affecting cost and profit Of
service on different parts of the same
road.
Another example Of the equitable neccs-
sity of varying rates, is where water trans
portation comes in competition with rail.
roads,as during the season of navigation on
the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. If the
railroads along these rivers must maintain
an unvarying rate that will be remuncra.
tive on all parts of their line, they are
precluded from competing for freight dur
ing the season Of high water and cheap
river freights--the absence of this com
petition from the railroads would tend to
higher river rates. The railroads can
often carry return freights, rather than
have cars go empty, at rates that if uni
formly maintained would be very made
quate.
These and like facts and considerations,
lead us to recommend such changes in the
more rigid features of the law as would
allow adaptation of rates to varying and
particular circumstances.
POLICY OF THE LAW.
| L,o
be the true intent and policy of the law
oll974 to prevent and remedy abuses on
the part Of railroad companies rather
than to assume State management Of the
roads, and that the wiser course is to in.
terfere as little with the control and reg
ulation of the roads by their owners and
managers as is consistent with the pre-
vention and correction of any abuses.
This State having so early in the his
tory of its railroads asserted it's rightful
lower to so far regulate and control these
indispensable and benefcent agencies of
material and social development, as to
protect the people from evils and oppres-
| sions that are felt in older communities,
the success and usefulness Of the law
may be regarded as largely consisting in
the mere fact of its affirming and securing
from the railroad corporations acknowl.
edgement Of such authority on the part
Of the State. The certain effect will be
to check and repress the growth of evils
that have scarcely any present existence
here, but which the experience Of the
older States demonstrates, are sure in
time to develop.
ST. PAUL AND PACIFIC EXTENSION.
It is to be regretted that during the
past year no work has been done on the
uncompleted portions Of the St. Paul &
Pacific Railroad.
The limited extension Of time by acts
Of Congress and Of the State Legislature
for the completion of this road, renders
it important that this work should speed
lily be resumed. Comparatively little re-
mains to be done to complete the road to
the international boundary. Assurance
is given that road in the Canadian Do.
minion, down the Red river to the settle
ment of Manitoba, will be COM
pleted in time to make connection with
the St. Paul & Pacific road.
Any legislation that will hasten and se-
cure the construction Of this road will be
| a great boon TO the settlers in Red River
Valley, and largely contribute to the de-
velopment Of Northwestern Minnesota.
w1NoNA ST. PETER ADDITIONAL GRANT.
The act of Congress of March 3, 1865,
which granted to this State four sections
of land per mile, in addition to the six
sections given in 1857, in aid of the con-
struction Of railroads, has been carried
| into effect bV the State regranting the