Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-01-16

will accomplish II, win be yours to elaborate
lG Is my duty to recommend that you aim to
secure, at every station, an open and un-
restricted market. the right of shipm ent FOR
any and all, without partiality or preference,
and transportation for all without discrimi-
nation at equal and reasonable rates. to any
desired destination. TIL prosperity of the
companies depends largely upon the pros-
peIlty OF the people along their lines You
will not, therefore, evince hostility to the
roads by releasing the people from the
shackies OF monopoly which fetter their
prosperity.
FREIGHT TARIFF.
The producers Of our state have been
greatly disappointed by the failure of the
railroad companies to adjust their taritfs the
past year to conform to the changed condi-
tlons in che general business of the country.
They justly complain that charges for trans
portation are out Of proportion to the value
OF the commodities transported. While
the prices of grain have declined to point
that affords no profit to the farmer under
the most favorable conditions for marketing
MS crop. the charges tor transportation pre-
Valllng In former years have been substan-
italy maintained A slight reduction may
nave been made In some instances, as q
grudglng concession to popular clamor, yet
it has not been sufficient to afford apprecia-
points in the state, one-half the value of a
bushel Of wheat is taken for its transporta-
tlon to Chicago, while from remote stations
the freight and accompanying charges upon
certain kinds and grades of grain, amount
almost to a contiscation of the property. The
gross injustice of this policy does not require
illustration. In times of general depression
there should be- SO far as NAV be practicable,
an equitable distribution of burdens When
values of agricultural products prove re-
muneratlve to the farmer, he willingly pays
liberal rates for their transportation; but
ha nf
ton, he certainly should not be compelled
to pay the full tribute necessary to enable
these corporations to declare regular divi-
dends upon their exaggerated issues Of stock.
The report of the railroad commissioner
shows continued prosperity to have pre-
vailed in the railroad business of the state:
The total number of miles of completed
road reported within the state, Dec l, 1882,
was 3.749. 49, The total number Dec. l,
1884, was 4, 1872 D. of which156 "a miles
were constructed within the last twelve
months. The total earnings of these roads
June 80. 1882, $1S, 805, 1873. 1e. The total
earnings for the year ending June 80, 1854,
was $23, PAS, 46622. The total operating
ssRR Ss + T 5sa n 7s to
the year ending June 80, 1884. The aver
age earnings per mile had increased from
So, 642 "a to $5, 924.77 in two years; while
the average operating expenses had been
reduced from P3 ,O66. W to $3 GOA. 2S. The
average cost Of construction of the roads in
this state, including equipment, as repre-
sented by their issues OF bonds and stock, is
given by the commissioner at $40, 1894. So
per mile The average earnings OF the same
for the last twelve months report exceed
the average OF operating expenses by
S., 800 40 per mile. The taxes paid TO- the
state on the gross earnings Of the railroads
in this state during the past year were
$645, 735. 49, This large amount will be
steadily increased from the increase of bust
ness upon these roads and from the new
lines, OF which q number OF Important ones
are soon to accomplished
CONCLUSION.
Confident that the influence controlling
your deliberations here will be desire to
serve the best interests of your constituents,
and trusting that the people Of the state may
not be disappointed in their expectation of
such practical remedial Legislation at your
hands as shall best promote their prosperity
and happiness, I commend the subjects Of
this communication to your considerable at
tentlon L F. HUBBARD,
Governor.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
ST. PAUL, Jan. z, 1885.