St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-30
ONE YEAR OF THE LAW.
Summary Of the Work Of the State
Railroad Commission Since
its Creation.
It's Work in Regulating the Hand
ling of Wheat and in Main
tanning Rates.
As TO the Transit system-Some
Changes Could be Made TO
Advantage.
The Commissions Views on Car
load IRates-Interstate COLI
merce-The Stations.

The railroad commission has given 10 the
public an eplome of its first annual report:
IN which it reviews the railroad interests vi
The state and at considerable length reviews
rs work since its creation at the last ses-
zion of the legislature. 1t will be read
with interest not only for the Information
it contains, but as giving. IN measure;
the views of the commission ON seVerai
points that have been subjects OF discus
ion at times during the year. After
tatement of the railroad business OF
The state for the year endlng
lime 70 1883 the report dis
cusses the work of the commission; IN
which it is said that the new system has
been given much careful study, as well as
all the interests involved over the whole
state. After this the task Of formulating
rules. the election of inspecting and weigh
ing forces. and the establishment or the
system which was to fundamentally change
the grain business OF the state was lnaug-
urated. Railway rates were diligently con-
sidered and the transit system examined
and its effect on business noted. Wood
rates were examined in response TO general
complaints: about four hundred stations
visited and many meetings for conference
held, and on this section of the report the
commission says:
large number of COZ plants have been
received and duly considered, and or these
most Of them have been adjusted. and many
other grievances of individuals and commun-
tiles, not regularly filed, have been redressed.
Rules of action have been formulated ana
principles enunciated in decisions, through
which a system of wholesome and permanent
administration is sought to be established.
Uniform grades in wheat and other grain and
uniform system OF weighing have been put
IN operation, which have secured regularity
ut the terminal points, with growing ten
dency TO secure the same results throughout
the state. The commission has diligently
sought TO render the relations between the
PEOPLE AND THE CORPORATIONS
more harmonious, preventing the growth
OF violent antagonists to the benefit OF
both PARTIES It is believed that a founda-
ton is thus being prepared for system or
state control in all railway ana grain mat
tiers. upon a basis of sound principles such
rs win secure substantial benefits TO the
public. and TO the roads themselves, and so
essential to all that the system will hence
forth become permanent in the adminlstra-
lion of the state government.
The law under which this commission is
constituted is a good one. 1t is an i'm
portant step in the right direction toward
the regulation and control Of corporations
which have derived all their franchises and
many valuable gifts in lands, money and
bonds from the people of this state.
administered during the brief period that
the commission appointed by you have held
office. No preference OF advantage has
been sought for one section OF the state
at the expedse of another, but to the ex-
tent of our ability we have endeavored TO
promote the interests OF our whole COM
monwealth. We point to the results already
obtained as a thorough vindcauiOn OF the
law itself as showing fairly with what
fidelity, vigilance and industry this COM
mission has discharged the trusts confded
by you TO its care.
ADDITIONAL LEGISLATION.
The subject of additional legislation in the
way of amendments TO the new railroad and
warehouse laws has been a matter OF con-
slant consideration by the board. The public
have exhibited deep interest in the matter
OF supposed desirable amendments. The
commission, however, have not deemed the
occasion of this report as the proper time In
which to present their views upon these Ques-
lions. The law (section g. act of March .
1850 requires that the commission shall ION,
Or before the LIST day of December in each
year and oftener if required by the govern or
10 do so, make report to the governor of
their doings for the preceding year, contain
ing such facts, statements and explanations
as will disclose the actual workings of the
system of railroad transportation in its bear
ings upon the business and prosperity of the
people of this state, and such suggestions in
pirate" This is the general provision of the
law In reference to reports. There is a spe-
cial provision of law in reference to the duty
of the commission in regard TO amendments
to the laws. The language (section 81 is as
follows ''Said commissioners shall inVesti-
gate and consider what, if any, amendment
or revision of the railroad laws of this state
the best interest of the state may demand,
and they shall make a special biennial report
10 the legislature on the subject
of the commission. They will, therefore, in
the next report submit their views, together
with such recommendations for amendments
as their experience may deem best for the
public interest. AS the railroad law became
operative April 5, 1855, and the grain law
practically, only Sept. 1st, 1885, il is yet
too early, in our experience under them, to
form an intelligent and safe opinion as to de-
sirable amendments 1t is true we have en-
countered difficulties and are satisfied of de-
fects; but in view of the express provision
Of the law, we deem it our duty, for the pres
ent in this regard to content ourselves with
carefully noting all the infirmities of these
laws ana providing, in due time, for full ex-
preston OF our view thereon.
The reports of subordinate officers. charged
with the detail work, cover but two or three
months of experience. time too short to use
for the purpose of final conclusions
The commission says il has deemed il of
Importance to prepare railway map d.
rectly under the supervision of the Office,
and this it will complete at as early date
as possible. Under the law requiring Wis
its to all stations about 400 have received
the attention of the board. CARRYING out the
provisions of the law as far as POSSIBLE. 1t
is believed that visits are required too often
and that the objects intended can be reached
by a less stringent enactment. The COM
mission indorses emphatically the position
OF the commissioner in former reports on
pooling, believing it necessary 70 demand
that it be put under state control and super
vision. Complaints have been numerous.
Seyenty-siX having been made up to Dec. l,
1855. All have been considered. Thirty
seven have been adjusted, others are in pro-
cess of settlement and some have been dis
missed as unfounded. The commission
concludes that the classification of freight
as it exists is the most difficult to be under
stood and unphilosophical thing in railway
matters. The report says:
Managers have given US no intelligent So
luton Of the mystery of existing classifica-
tons. They are wholly arbitrary, IRREGULAR
and unsatisfactory. The public are not suf-
ficiently advised of their true character. A
shipper forwards his goods from the East
under one classification; at Chicago he strikes
another classification for the Northwest,
which wholly changes the character and cost
OF his freight. He still strikes third at
st. Paul. Considerations should be uniform
throughout the whole country. State legis-
lation should do all in its power TO secure
such uniform result, and all classifcations
should, before put in operation, be subject
to the approval of the board of railroad COM
missionerS. A still further and perhaps
better control, would be that of federal legis-
lation, securing uniform results through
out the Union, supplemented by
the action of the several states
The total freight earnings in Minnesota for
the year ending June 80, 1885, were sl6,574.-
STATE. For the year 1884 they were SI6 sno :