River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-01-31
1AYLoR.s RAILWAY RIlL
q Synopsis of the Important Features
Railway Commissioners Provided For.

synopsis of the Important Features
Railway Commissioners Provided For.
In the Senate ofthe State Legislature the 9TH
n day Senator Horace \. Taylor introduced
Jill for the creation OF railroad commission
sor Wisconsin, 10 be composed OF three men,
GERS The measure is divided into twenty
!hree sections, the first one prov ding that this
act shall apply 10 any carriers engaged in tbs
Transportation of passengers or property
wholly by railroad, or partly by IA lroad and
parity By water WREN both are used
D. der a common control for q continuous
es..r age or shipment from one place TO
mother within the State. The term railroad
as used in this aeI includes all bfldges ana fer
les IN the State used or operated in conaec-
ton with any railroad AL charges mace 'or
sny service rendered in the transportation OF
passengers or property, or for the receiving de-
iverng. storage or handling OF such property,
sheu be reasonable and just, and every unjust
and unreasonable charge fer sue. service is
prohibited and declared 70 be unlawful.
Section says il is an unjust discrimination
for any common carrier 10 charge or receive
greater rate per hundred pounds for the trans.
portation Of property shipped in carload lots
for one or more carloads than for any greater
number OF carloads. OF a ike commodity from
the same point Of shipment 20 the same desti-
nation. whether shipped at one tine or during
any period OF time.
:. ctlon says il shall be unlawful for any
common Garner TO make or give any undue or
unreasonable preference or advantage 10 any
particular person, conn any, firm, corporation
or locality, or any particular description Of
traf1ic, and says that ca riers shall. according
10 their respective powers AFFORD all reasona-
Die, proper and equal facilities for the inter
change Of traffic, and shall make such Joint
through rates Tor the transportation OF pas
sengers and property as shall be fair and eQuit-
able.
Section : declares 1t unlawful 10 charge more
Q. s.,v-
distance over the same line in the same direc-
ton, the shorter being included within the
longer distance, but this shall not be construed
as authoriZi ng any common carrier within the
terms Of this act 10 charge and receive as
great compensation for shorter as for long
er distance; in special cases, however. the COM
mission may au lhorize carriers 10 charge less
for longer than fer shorter distances for trans
portatlor Of pa sengers or property.
Sectiol says that every common carrier
shall make. as soon as practicable, o schedule
OF reasonable rates Of charges for the transpor-
tatiCa OF passengers and property over its
various lines within the State with proper
classification OF freight, and also reasonable
chargt for terminal facilities and privileges,
and the same are 10 be posted in every depot
or station in such place and manner that they
can be conveniently inspected.
Section provides for investigating COM
plants made by carriers OF unequal or unreal
sOnable charges.
Sections and say il shall be unlawful for
carriers 10 enter into combination 10 defeat the
objects Of this bill, and provide penalty for
so doing.
Section says that any person claiming to be
damaged by any common carrier may either
make complaint to the commission or may
bring SUIT in his or their own behalf for the re-
coyery OF damages.
Section 10 declares that II any common car.
rier shall wilfully suffer or permit 10 be done
any act, matter or thing in this act prohibited
or declared 20 be unlawful. or shall aid OF abet
therein or shall wlllfully omit or fan TO do any
act, matter or thing IN this act required 10 be
done, they shall be deemed guilty Of a misde.
meauOr, and shall. upon COW .ction thereof in
any court in this State OF competent jursdic.
ton, be subject 10 fine not 10 exceed 5000
for each ofIense. All fines received are 10 be
paid One-half into the State treasury and one.
half into the county treasury in which suit Is
brought, 10 be used for county purposes Suits
begun under this act are 10 have precedence OF
every thing except criminal business
Section II provides for the appointment by
the Governor, with the confirmation OF the
Senate, OF a railway commission OF three mem.
bCrs. On the expiration of the term OF ONCE
of either OF the three commissioners. and every
two years thereafter, the Governor by and
with the consent of The Senate. shall appoint a
railroad comm ssioner. who shan hold his
ONCE for ssX years, and every vacancy
piration OF the term suai O. filled in like
manner for the residue Of the term only Said
commissioners shall not engage IN other bust.
ness or employment. Cne of sa q commission
ers shah be experienced ia freight traffic OF
railreasa and not more than two Of them shall
belong To the same political PARTY. No va.
canCy in tie commission shall impair the right
Of the remaining commiss oners 10 exercise
fun powers.
Sect on - says the commission shall have
authority 20 inquire into the management OF
The business OF all common carriers subject
10 this act and shall keep informed as to the
manner and method in which the same IS
conducted, and shall nave the right 10 obtain
nom them iuil information necessary 10 enable
the comm.ss.o on 10 perform It's dut e..
Sections J. ana i refer 10 the dut es OF the
commiss oners In cases where violat ons OF
this act Decor, and instruct them As 20 methods
Of procedure.
Section 70 says the commission may conduct
its proceedings IA such manner as II best
COnduce TO the TroI er dispatch of business and
the ends OF justice a majority OF the comm S.
on shall constitute a quorum, .but no com
missioner shall participate in case in which
be has pecuntaIy int est.
Section Is provides that each commissioner
shall be paid S360a year, with g per day for
travelling expenses when actually duty.
They are to be prov ded W ia Offices Ia the cap
itol, and the Sta'e is 20 pay for furnishing,
lighting, etc. They can also appoint a secre.
tary at not less than s2,OUu year, with s. per
day for expenses when travelling
Section Il allows the commission 10 hold
meetings ~ any part OF the State where it can
save money or time 10y 50 do rs.
Sect on Is provides for annual reports from
common carriers and spec iies that the com
miss on may require answers 10 specific ques-
tons upon which Il may des ire Information.
Section 90 gives common carriers the right,
II they choose, 10 serve the United States,
the State or nun pal governments, Chart
able causes, fairs or exhibitions a. edueed
rates, and to issue mileage excursion or com
mutation passenger tickets. They are also al
lowed 10 give reduced rates 10 N nisters.
Nothing in the act shall be construed 10 pre-
vent railways passing their own officers and
employees free, or 10 pr vent the principal Of
fcers OF any railway companies from ex-
G. angling passes or tickets with officers OF
other companies for the use Of officers or en-
pi1yes.
section q appropriates $4,000 a year for the
support OF the commission.
Section % repeats the law creating the pres
eut position Of railway commissioner
Sect on % PROV des for the immediate APP
poiniment OF the commiss toner's, and gives
thirty days time TO prepare for other changes
proposed.