Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-02-20

I
hold their Office in the capitol building at
ST. Paul. They shall receive salary of
three thousand $4,000 dollars per annum,
to be paid as the salary of other state Of
fcers are paid, and shall be provided at
the expense of the state with necessary
| Office furniture and stationery, and they
shall have authority to appoint secretary
who shall receive salary of fifteen hun
dred (1,50O) dollars per annum, payable by
the state as above provided.
Sec. 5. Said commissioners and secre-
tary, shall be severally sworn before enter
ing upon the duties of their respective Of
fees to honestly, faithfully and impartially
discharge and peform the duties of their
respective offices to the best of their
knowledge, skill and ability.
| Sec. 6. The said commissioners shall
have power in their discharge of their
duties as such, to examine any OF the books,
papers or accounts of any such corporation
necessary to determine whether such cor
poration has or has not made full and due
return of its gross earnings as required by
law for the purposes of taxation, and also
for the purpose of ascertaining whether
such corporation has made due and full
return of all lands by it sold or contracted,
as provided by law for the purpose of tax
alton. And said board of commissioners
may examine under oath any officer or en-
ploye of such corporation relative to any of
the matters provided for in this section and
said commissioners are empowered to issue
subpenas to be signed by the chairman of
the board, and to administer oaths in the
same manner and with full power to en-
force obedience thereto in the performance
of their said duties as belong or pertain to
the district courts of this state, and any
person who shall wilfully obstruct said
commissioners IN performance of their
duties, as provided in this act shall be liza
bic on conviction thereof to fine not ex-
ceeding one thousand 4 ,000) dollars, in the
discretion of the court.
Sec. Z. 1t shall be the duty of any
railroad corporation, when able so to do,
and upon reasonable request, to furnish
cars for the transportation Of freight of
any kind Except dangerous and explosive
commodities), to be transported over its
line of road, or any portion thereof, and
provide and keep suitable facilities for re-
ceiving and handling the same at any de-
pot on the line of its road, and also to re-
ceive and transport in like manner, for
reasonable com ensation, the empty or
loaded cars, furnished by any connecting
road, to be delivered at any station or sta
tions on the line of its road, to be loaded
or discharged, or reloaded and returned to
the road.so connecting, and for compensa-
ton therefor it shall not demand or re-
ceive any greater sum than is accepted by
it from any other connecting railroads for
a like service.
Sec. 8. No corporation shall charge, de-
mand, or receive from any person, COM
pany or corporation, for the transportation
of persons or property, or for any other
service a greater sum than it shall at the
same time charge, demand or receive from
any other person, company, or corporation
for like service from the same place, or
upon like condition and under similt.4 cir
cumstances, and all concessions of rates,
drawbacks and contracts for special rates
shall be open to and allowed all persons,
com panies and corporations alike at the
same rate per ton per mile by car load
upon like condition and under similar clr-
cumstances, and during the same period of
time, and no railroad company shall
charge, demand or receive from any per-
son, company or corporation an unreason
able price for the transportation of per-
sons or property, or for the handling or
storing of freight, or for the use of its
cars, or for any privilege or service afford
ed by it in the transaction of its business
as railroad corporation, regard being had
to the time, manner and responsibility of
such service.
Sec. 8. Any railroad corporation which
shall violate any of the provisions of this
act relating to extortion or unjust discrim-
ination, shall, on conviction thereof, for
felt for every such offense to the person,
company or corporation injured thereby,
three times the actual damage sustained
or overcharges paid by the said party ag
grieved, together with the costs of suit, to
be recovered IN an action
in the district court of any
county through which the railroad of said
corporation is constructed; provided, how
ever, that in all cases wherein complaints
shall be made to said commissioners that
an unreasonable charge has been made in
violation of the provisions of section seven
(7) and eight (9) of this act or either CT
them, it shall be the duty of said COM
missioners to examine into the same and to
adjust, if practicable, such differences be-
tween the person or persons claiming to
Dc dSSri0f6Q3 duu SuCu COIpOIdLIOu anu
such commissioners may recommend a
modification of such charge for the ser
vice rendered in case they deem the same
unreasonable, and in all cases of a failure
to comply with the recommended
ton of the commissioners the same,
with the facts connected there
with, shall be embodied in the report of
the commissioners to the legislature. Such
examination by said commissioners shall
not be construed or held to deprive the
party aggrieved to prosecute his action for
damages.
Sec. 10. Upon the occurrence of any Sc
rious accident upon railroad which shall
result in personal injury, or loss of life,
the corporation operating the road upon
which the accident occurred shall give i'm
mediate notice thereof to the commission
ers whose duty it shall be, if they deem it
necessary, to Investigate the same, and
promptly report to the governor
the extent of the personal injuries or loss
of life, and whether the same was the re-
suit of the Encouragement or neglect of
the corporation on whose line the injury
or loss of life occurred. Provided, That
such report shall not be evidence, or re-
ferred to in any case in any court in which
such corporation is party.
Sec. II. In case differences arise be-
tween the authorities of any city or IN