The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-05-26
COMMISSIONERS Talk.

The Northern Pacific Railroad Co.
lmagines that it owns the earth and
has a right to do what it pleases. The.
railroad and warehouse commissioners
of Minnesota ordered the company to
reduce its rates for passenger travel to
three cents per mile The company
refused to obey the order, but subse-
quently published a notice that its
rates would be so reduced June 1st,
1888, not because the commission
had 50 ordered, but Just because it
wanted to do SO, and was not at all
complimentary 10 the commissioners.
To this Published letter of the Rail
road Company, the commissioners
make the following pointed and tuch-
ing reply:
81 PAUI, May Is 18SS-Thom7s Cakes, ESD,
General Manage and Vice President, Northern
Pacific Railroad Company, II, Puni-Dear s.ir
Your letter Of May 16 was received on the after
noon Of the t7tL inst, after it had been publish
eI in of the morning papers Of this city. The
Commission notes with satisfaction that rot later
thau June 1, 1858, your company VIII establish
its passenger fares its main and branch well
as leased lines at maximum Of three cents Per
mile il the state Of Minnesota, ana where and
Whenever in said state business viii warrant the
company TO make its rates less than said maxi
mura. Is Tie promised reduction in fares is TO be
made in no apprehension on your part that this
commission has power 10 compel reduction on
the main line OF yuGr sta5, but Tor the sole
son thai its passenger business has 50 increased
it is presumed you viii not limit the reduction
TO the boundaries Of This state, the limit OF the
Jurisdiction OF this commission butas the increas
e1 business is largely through travel you win de-
Light The hearts Of Inc people o: Dako.a. and of
all The other states end terTitoro> through which
your long line extens, with the glad tidings of
more reasonable and liberal fares. The increase
in the freight business of the Northern Pacific
company is even more marked than the receipts
Of passenger traffic. The commission suggests for
yonr consideration a corresponding reduction in
freight rates
The commission takes note of section IS of
Your compduys charter as quoted by you. 1t is |
NOT Claimed that the state legislature has'powCr
10 repeal or amend the act OF congress of which
said section e is part. But is claimed that the
supreme coUr! Of Tie United State, has decided
that while under such provision in It's character
the director, ola company may fix, determine
and regulate the fares tolls and charges, yet
such fares tolls ard charges must be reasonable
and the final determination Of what Is reasonable
is not LEFT to such board of directors. Further !
for yuur information, tie commission desires to
say thar i, is claimed distinctly en- the part orthe
Safe OF Minnesota that Congress, by its mcarpor-
alton Of the Northern FaciHc Railroad company
did not intend to crate, and did not create. a
corporation that aas ii any way superior 70, or
greater than the sovereign state through which
lis road ruEs IN part.
Further in reply 10 your statement that you do
not wish to be understood as asserting to the pro
position tilat the statutes OF the state Of Mime
sofa confer upon the railroad and warehouse com
mission an admi istra.ive power .unentitled
EXCEPT by cfi.cial corruption" the commission
states for Your information that the supreme
court Of this state has passed upon the question
rs TO what are the powers Of the commission I'M
der the statutes ofthe state Of Minnesota: and we
are Of the opinion that the construction given by
the supreme cour; upon this subject VIII stand as
law whether you consent TO it OF not Railroad
and railroad managers will do well to
heed that the obey the laws They are prompt to
appeal TO the laws for protection. They should
he equally prompt III obedience to the law as APP
piied to the. BY the constituted authorities of
the state. Yours Respectfully
L. 5. WARNER, Secy.
T. Il. and Warehouse Commission