The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-02-24
Total GROSS earnlups TAX .xln4 2lN 2G

Total gross earnings stax........%l3l 2IG 2G
One half of the gross earnings tax of the
Northern Pacific has not been paid, owing to
litigation, which is the result of n contro-
versy as to whether or not the company's
lands can be taxed. The Northern Pacific
representatives state that the company is
willing to pay tax either on its gross earn
ings. or on its land, but not on both. The
kota during 1856 was Ga. 196, ,0O9; in 1887,
12,G93,411. During 1887 the total tonnage
Of grain was 5,22s,G3I, of which Dakota
had 72O. .521. In the construction of it's
extension through Northwestern Dakota and
into Montana the Manitoba eclipsed
all previous efforts ut track laying,
and opened up one Of the richest agricultu-
raj districts of the territory to the settler
and hOmeseeker. Another advance step is
that taken by the Northern Pacific in giving
the public through fast train between ST.
Paul and the coast, and thus shortening the
trip nearly one day. 1t has also reduced
tho time of its local passenger train. The
Chicago, Milwaukee L. St Paul is reaching
for unoccupied territory; the Chicago g.
Northwestern is doing likewise and the Min
neapois Il Pacific has started for the Mis-
souri, valley in manner that is encouraging
to the settlers along that stream.
SOME COMPARISONS.
Dakota has more miles of cOmpleted rail-
road than either California Tennessee Eir-
GINA, North Carolina, Colorado. Arkansas,
Alabama or Georgia; twice as many miles us
either Massachusetts, South Carolina. F!ori-
da, New Jersey, Mississippi or Kentucky;
and more than three times as many miles of
railway as either Maine, Maryland, West Vir-
glnla, Louisiana or Oregon As nearly all
the roads Of the territory are com paratively
new, the bridges and trestles are strong and
unimpaircd. On the Northern Pacific and
Manitoba roads there has been reduction of
about 70 per cent on freight rates; on pass
engers the rate has been reduced from five
cents per mile to four cents per mile, and OIL
mileage books from three to two and one
half cents per mile Tne Minneapolis & St
Louis has reduced its freight rates about Is
per cent. bus it's passenger rates remain un-
changed-four cents per mile During the
year there were twcnty-eight persons killed
on the railroads in the territory. Among
these was one passenger, seventeen EN-
pi0ycs, and ten whO come under neither of
these heads. The total number OF mics of
Western Union telegraph wire in Dakota Is
% l. the number Of telegraph Offices 279,
and of employees, 800 For years the sys-
tenn OF handling and shipping. grad
I,s, ing and % storing graf grain had
ance to the public and in many IN
stances an absolute loss to the farmers. The
owners OF elevators were unchecked in
their control o: the local markets through
out the territory; there was no protection
TO the producer and the cheating in grades,
docka9e and weights grew more The new
grain warehouse law brings The management
of the elevators within the reacn OF the pub
lie, and provides means for checking many
of the abuses of the past The new law
provides that all elevators storing grain for
II compensation shall give good and sufficient
bonds, and secure license from the railroad
commissioners Before there was
A LACK OF SECURITY
for grain which was stored in elevators. For
the first time in her history Dakota has a set
of standard grades. All owners of ware
houses who have complied with the
law by taking out licenses admit that
the standard samples supplied by the
commission are OF great benefit TO them.
instead of q drawback, as at first supposed.
Many of the disputes existing heretofore he
tween the farmers and elevator men will be
avoided III the future. Several railroads re-
port the number of bushels Of wheat carried
from Dakota from Aug. to Nov. Is, 1887,
as follows:
Burlington. Cedar Rapids e. Northern 2:,5, 80
Chicago. Nil. II st. Paul leslimatcdl. .5OUDtMuO
Chicago ~ Northwestern. Ss11.:f.S6
MINNEAPOLIS Il Pacific. c.................. 2ls.35O
Minneapolis ~ 81. Louis. %. 80. ....... yJU,jl3
Northern Pacific Sept. ] 10 Nov l5, 2,9lO.35i
The number OF bushels OF wheat at pres
cnt stored in the elevators and warehouses
Of Dakota is over 10000, 900; add to the
above amount the wheat yet unthreshed.
and that stored IN private granares, and the
. O0OO 600 bushels necessary for home con-
sumption and seed for 1888, and il makes
GO, 600 600 bushels, low estimate for the
year 1888. 3What shall be done to relieve