Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-02-17
Z. &. COMMISSIONERS REPORT.

The State railroad commissioners have
had printed and issued their report for
1884 and 1885. From it we learn that
the number of miles of railroad in Min
nesota June 80, 1885, was 4,226.42, an
increase of three hundred and seventeen
miles over the preceding year. The
total cost was $304, 822, 1880. or $34, 769.-
So per mile. Nearly 1900, 900 passen-
gers were carried during the year. The
taxes paid on all lines operated in Min
nesota for the year ending June 80. 1885.
was 81. 165, 495, ~. The elevator capacity
of the state is 81, 9O8, 200 bushels.
Referring to their duties the commits
sionsrs report having visited 400 Of the
$40 stations in the state. Better accom-
modations for the public at stations have
been secured, others are still in progress
Of enlargement, and still others promised
in the near future. A large number of
complaints have been received, censid-
cred, and most of them have been adjust
ed. Many individual grievances have
been redressed. Uniform grades IN
wheat and other grain and uniform sys-
tenn Of weights have been put in opera
ton at terminal points with a growing
tendency to secure the same results
throughout the state. It is believed that
\ foundation is thus being prepared for a
system Of state control in all railway and
grain matters upon basis Of sound prin-
ciples, such a. will secure substantial
benefits to the public and to the roads
themselves, and so essential to all that
the system will henceforth become per-
manent in the administration of the
state government.
As to the existing laws defects are de-
clared to exist, and these will be speci-
dcally stated in their next report to the
legislature. In regard to pooling, the
commissioners demand that it shall be
put under state control and supervision
until desirable results shall be fully con.
summated. Inconsistency Of classid
cation Of freights is alleged, and uni.
formity recommended. The commits
sioners think that the time has come
| when the maximum rate for passenger
travel in this state should be fixed at
three cents per mile. The commissions
allowed to scalpers are declared an I'm
necessary tax upon the travelling public
and the corporations themselves, and
should be corrected by law. The aboli
ton of the pass system is also recon-
mended. The police regulations u
some stations are not what the public
have right to expect. In regard to the
grain interest, the report says:
The grain production of Minnesota i.
its chief industry. Experience shows
that where combination il possible com.
petition is out of question unless the Law
intervenes for the protection Of the weak
against the strong. So in the process OF
time it had come to be the fact here that
the handling and marketing Of grain on
different lines of road had gradually
come to be controlled by few corpora.
tons. firms or men. who arbitrarily die.
were able in many instances to drive out
Of existence the independent buyer, and
so establish. with or without the aid OF
the railway companies, monopoly
which touched nearly every producer in
the state. The direct result of this sys
tenn was to throw the grain trade Of the
state into the hands Of a constantly mar
! rowing circle Of business men, to crush
out anything like competition or indie
pendent buying at primary points, and
to leave the price to the producer to be
| fixed by the sef-interest of a few mid
dlemen rather than by natural laws Of
trade. The legislature of this state hal
undertaken to remedy these evils, anG
upon all these subjects the board of com
missioners report that they have feune
upon the part of the railroad companies
for tho most part, ready acquiescence
IN the law and in the demands made upon
them under it by this bosrd.-Mankat'
| Renfe7n