The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-11-02
A RAILROAD BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
The Farmers of Dakota Seeking Protection
A0ainst the Railroads.

A RAILROAD BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS.
The Farmers of Dakota Seeking P,otection
against the Railroads.
Aberdsen (Dak.) special: Probably
no question of territorial law has beer
more discussed during the past few
years, and certainly no law he's beer
aore abused, than that for the regula,
ION of the railroads. Particularly is
this true in regard to the shipment O.
grain and produce wherein the farmel
and small dealer has been shamefnlly
Disseminated against in favor Of the
wealthy wsrehousemen and the elevatof
owned and indirectly controlled by tle
railroads themselves. 1t is to remedy
this and kindred evils that the Terrific,
rial Farmers alliance has labored. With
q view of further correcting the abuses
that are known to exist the executive
committee of The alliance has prepared
a bill for introduction into the next leg
i~slature having for it's object the better
regulation of railroads and q practically
free market for the farming classes. The
whole strength at the command of the
alliance will be exerted toward the pas
sage of the bill, so it is expected that ii
will play no little part in the remaining
days of the Legislative campaign.
The bill primarily is an act to amend
an act entitled "An act 20 provide for
the establishment of a board of railroad
commissioners, defining their duties and
to regulate the receiving and transpor-
tation of freight on railroads in this ter
ritory." The first sections provide cr
the election of three persons who shah
constitute the aboard of railroad com
missioners," defining their duties and
qualifications and marking out the dis
tricts over which each shall have au-
thority.
Section z directs that n railroad
company doing business in the territory,
when requested by any person wishing
to ship grain OF its road, shall receive
and transport such grain in bulk and
permit the same to be loaded either on
its track adjacent to its depot or at any
warehouse On its sldetrack, at any sta
ton, without discrimination or distinc-
ton as to the or condition in
which such grain is offered for trans
pOrtation.
Section s compels a railroad company
to extend its sidetracks to any ware
houses or elevators which are denied
position on the company's right of way
and which are erected adjacent thereto,
the track to be laid and kept in repair
at the expense of the company.
Section 9 provides for the equal dis
tribution of cars among shippers in pro-
,Nnr4In, 10 fI.i, laIl, ,.o,,..t- &c ,r.,ir
or freight.
Section 10 makes it unlawful for any
company to receive any greater com
pensation for the transportation of pas
sengers or freight for n shorter than q
longer distance Over the same line; also
for any railroad company by any special
rate, rebate or other device to receive
from any person a greater or less COM
pensation for any service rendered than
it receives from any other person for
doing a like service; also for any COM
pany to enter into any contract with any
other company for the division and
pooling of business.
Section Is provides for the construc-
ton and maintenance Of "Ys" at all in
tersecting points, and sections IA and 10
call for the maintenance by the railroad
ND''Al 4 u AAt t'liNA L AsA "
weighing grain and coal.
Section II makes it obligatory upon
every company ''to print and keep for
public inspection schedules showing the
rates, fares and charges for
the transportation of passengers and
property of all kinds and classes which
such company has established, and which
are in force at the time upon its railroad.
The schedule shall plainly state the
upon its railroads between which
passengers and property will be carried,
and contain clas~sifications of freight In
upon the lines of such railroads"
Section IS SAYS: mo change of CLASH
fications shall be made in the rates, fares
and charges which have been estab-
and published as aforesaid by any
company in compliance with the
of section II, except after
days publication, which notes shall
state the changes proposed to be
made in the schedules then in force and
time when the changed schedules
shall go into effect, and the proposed
changes shall be shown by printing new
or shall be plainly indicated
upon the schedules in force at the time
and kept for public inspection"
Section 10 authorizes the commission
ers to establish and maintain a schedule
Of reasonable rates, and gives them
power to compel all railroad companies
70 adopt the same.
Section 20 makes it the duty of the
commissioners to personally investigate
and ascertain whether the provisions of
this act are violated, and when prosecu-
ion is warranted they shall cause suits
be commenced. The attorney gem
eral of the territory and the several dis
attorneys will institute and prose-
,ute all actions which the commissioners
'hall deem proper.
Section %. Any railroad company
guilty OF violating any of the pro-
of this act shall be fined in the
,um of not less than 81, 900 nor more
han $40, 900, to which shall be added
he costs of action, and each days refu-
al or neglect of any railroad company
% do or to perform any act required by
his act or thing prohibited by this act,
shall be taken to be a separate O~ffense,
md such railroad company MAJ be pros
,cuted and convicted for each days of
ense separately, and the conviction
hereof shall not be a bar to the prose-
,ution and conviction of the same offense
on any other day.
The remainder of the bill, which is
,ery long, states in what manner the
commissioners shall make their annual
'eport, and the different items hat are
o be particularized relating to the stock
nd general satisfaction of the several
Dads.