Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-07

4udS6d6QuSotIS.
the railroad companies. In the latter
state, recommendation by the board is
almost equivalent to legislative act itself,
but IN this state the recommendation had
to be incorporated into a law before any
respect was paid to it, and even then it will
often be evaded. One trouble that he had
been laboring under in his Office, he said.
was the character Of the questions sent out
to the railroad companies. They were not
searching enough, did not strike the vital
points involved, offering against the rail-
road themselves, and he was a little sur
prised that they had not suggested changes.
He should have a new set prepared for
fully cover the ground.
sloner have moro power?
Baker Certainly, and rather think the
railroad commissioner would welcome an
force each other to abide by regulations
roads are not afraid of granger
legislation, but rather of each other. The
trouble is they do not keep faith with each
other. have known an instance where
parties just FROM forming contract have
telegraphed their agents to pay no atten-
| dealing dealing as this, for
one thing, that has led to
the present railroad war, and is creating
feeling, 1 think, among railroad mana
gers, in favor of more comprehensive
than is now exercised. But think great
cbO 1,o h,l Fro l.
ton. Better bear some. evils for time
| bring about reaction. The railroads and
farmers should work together, and in
| my opinion the time is now
most auspicious for drawing the two into
closer and more equitable relations. lam
! corresponding with managers on this very
point, and am satisfied from answers al
ready received that as general thing they
will heartily accept any reasonable legisla-
tion regarding their tariffs, and will hearth
| ly cooperate with the state authorities in
| enforcing such regulations.
In answer to the question Gen. Baker
said that the land grants to railroads and
bonuses received, aggregated something
over $4,000 Per mile, as he was surprised
| to find upon looking up the sta
built aross our prairie country,
and equipped for business. at from $4,000
to $4,000 per mile. All the main lines of
| this state, and their feeders have received
such benefits. We have now here
| eight system of roads. In all about forty
small roads, or feeders, have been built
from time to time, only to be absorbed by
some one of the eight main lines.
Dofa - -ofo l. L.
profits being made by the st. Paul & Man
itoba company, Gen. Baker said that its orig
inal construction was very faulty,requiring
an almost complete rebuilding, and vet
with all this additional ex-
pense, it was to-day one of the most profit
able railroads in the country.
Loring-It is such INSTANCES as this, that
is driving the conviction home upon the
minds of the farmers that under the present
management of the railroads, with their
determinations and exorbitant charges,
theys are continually laboring for others
than themselves.
Gen. n.Baker-Yes,t there must be something
radically wrong in the business, when such
colossal fortunes as Vanderbilt's and 9TH
ers are made out of it.
Referring again to the difference be-
oWScA 1hdSSdCuuScItS duQ MluueSOGd, III the
matter of state control of railroads, Gen.
Baker said that in Massachusetts, no road
could be built without getting a
state permit. Here anybody can get
up "a company and build
road. When it comes to locating road
in Massachusetts, the company has to con-
form to certain extent to the wishes and
interests of the people. Here companies
go where they please, no matter how great
the private interests sacrifced--build up
this town and destroy that and generally
divide up the territory through which they
decide to go, to suit their own views and
interests, regardless of the results to the
general public.
At this point Gen. Baker was called for
on official business, and excusing himself
he withdrew.
After the general had retired President
Loring called upon Mr.. Byers, as chcir-
man of the legislative committee, for his
views as to the character of the recon-
mendations to be made to the legislature.
In response Mr.. Byers said he was not
prepared at present to state his views. The
fact is that the board as new cons tituted is
mere fgurehead. It has no powers fur
ther than advisory, and but little attention
had been paid to this IN the past. The Of
fee of railroad commissioner was in near
ly the same position, and it was question
if about the best recommendation
they could make would not
be to have the duties of the board
transferred to the railroad commissioner,
or board of railroad commissioners of
three, or perhaps consolidate the two.
True the board of trade were given
subjects other than freight discr1mina-
tions and wheat grading to look after, but
with their time limited to ten days in the
year, at $3 per day, nothing tangible or
practical could be expected, especially when
clothed with no power to enforce this
view. For himself, his time was worth
more than s. a day, but if he could see
any good resulting him from his labors,
the compensation wsuld not be so obiec-
tionable. If the board was to be contin-
ued, and given any power to act as we'll as
recommend, he should also favor changing
the name to the state board Of trade, with
others than farmers belonging to it.
Mr.. Hoyt and Giles objected to the latter
recommendation, holding that if this was
done, that the farmers would soon be
crowded out and the board be in the hands
of agents of the railroads and millers, the
very ones who were combining to prevent
the farmer getting fair return for his la
Dor.
Mr. T0rino frok q aim ;lar v;a- s>~;n. ~ :.