Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-17

the cost of the coal consumed,
not including wood, while
the profits on the entire wheaE business of
Minnesota and Dakota would not pay one
sixth of the cost of the fuel for the en-
gines.
Gen. Haupt also took occasion to pro-
test against the bill introduced making
companies responsible for injuries sus-
tanned by one employe through the care
lessness of another, as wrong in principle,
and if made law, as certain to result in
endless and expensive litigation.
MR.. MARVEL,
general manager of the Manitoba road
briefly pointed out some of the disadvant-
ages roads in the Northwest had to con-
tend with not encountered by roads in the
South and East. One drawback and add
ed expense without a corresponding re-
turn of revenue was in the large number of
empties and light trains that had to be
hauled. Another thing was the operation
of the frost upon the road bed and en-
bankments, adding as statistics proved SO
per cent. to the cost of keeping the road
in repair, while at the same time carrying
a much less tonnage. The cost of main
oAd HOCP1A4S u DOWC1
of road in the Northwest was largely
in favor of eastern and
southern roads The average cost of ope-
rating the eight leading roads in Massa-
chusetts was $3.50 per mile, while for the
Manitoba road it was SLIGO. The Lake
Shore railroad with tonnage eleven times
greater and passenger traffic four times
greater than the Manitoba road, costs less
for maintenance than the Manitoba road.
These and like drawbacks fully
justify the higher tariff charged.
F. R.DE1ANo,
one of the Oldest railroad men in the state,
did not believe the Baker bill was in the
interest Of the railroads or the people. It
was unnecessary and unjust to both alike.
Statistics would show, and he asked the
committee to look it up, that local rates
from Ohio west to and beyond Minnesota
were lower than in the East, and the re-
duction of rates in Minnesota. he said,
during the past twenty years had been
greater than i'll any states to the east of
her.
MIR. CARY AGAIN.
Chairman Cole called Mr.. Cary's atten-
ton to the fact that the committee had a
bill before it making companies irresponsi-
BILE for injuries to employees by the care
lessness of another, and asked his opinion
of such legislation. Mr.. Cary replied
that Wisconsin once passed such a law,
but only retained it ons year, it was
found to work so much injustice. The
common law, he said, laid down the prin-
ciple governing such cases and any de-
parture from it would do injustice. Mr..
Jas. Smith, Jr, said the law as it stood
was an essential one for the public safety,
and that the principles of
the pending bill adopted would
offer premium to carelessness.
Senator Doran asked President Hill, of
| the Manitoba road, whether in his state
ment the previous evening that the aver
age rate of five Massachusetts, roads was
2.37 per ton per mile, referred to through
or short lines. Mr.. Hill replied that the
roads named we're the largest in Massa-
chusetts. The rates upon the smaller
roads ranged from five to fifteen cents per
ton per mile.
| Senator Castle, to test the sense of the
committee offered the following resolution
RESOLVED, That it is the sense of this
/ committee that we recommend for adop-
ton by the legislature in lieu of all bills
looking to the regulation of railroads, the
bill introduced this day by Representative
Moore, being substantially a copy of the
Massachusetts law.
Jas. Smith, Jr., thought the committee
should not be hasty in committing itself.
In his opinion the present Iowa law was
better adapted to Minnesota. 1t was a
! consideration of the Massachusetts, law
suited to the situation in Minnesota. The
Massachusetts law contained many features
already Incorporated into the statutes
of this state. He thought the better course
would be to indefinitely postpone the
Baker bill, and leave further action upon
the matter with the next meeting. by which
time copy of the Iowa law could be pre-
pared for the committee.
Senator Castle said in offering his
resolution he had no intention of press
ing its adoption at this time. In
| fact he did not know whether he should
vote for it himself His sole purpose was
to throw it out as a feeler for the consider
alton of the committe, and to be brought
up at the next meeting. With that view
he would move that when this committee
adjourn it be to the Saturday morn
ing at 8 o'clock in the com
mittee room at the capitol, where the COM
mittee could quietly compare notes.
Jas. Smith, Jr., favored an adjournment
to Monday morning, but Senator Castles
amendment prevailed, and thereupon, on
motion of Senator Doran, the committee
adjourned.