Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1890-04-11

Immediately paid into the state treasury
by the sheriff or other officer or person col
by the state treasurer placed to the credit
OF the general revenue fund.
(b) For the purpose Of this act, except
its penal provisions, the district courts and
supreme court of the state shall be
deemed to be always in open session.
SEC. II. (a) That the commissioners
are hereby directed 10 require annual re.
the provisions Of this act, to fix the time
and prescribe the manner in which said
reports shall be made, and to require from
such carriers specific answers to all ques.
lions upon which. the commissioners may
need information. Sucn annual reports
shall show in detail the amount of capital
stock issued, the amounts paid therefor,
the dividends paid, the surplus fund, if any,
and the number Of Stockholders, the fund.
ed and floating debts and the interest paid
thereon; the cost and value Of the carriers
property, franchises and equipment, the
number of employees and the salary
paid each class. the amounts ex.
pended for improvements each year
of such Improvements; the earnings
and receipts of each branch of bust.
ness, and from all sources, the operating
and other expenses; the balance of profit
and loss; I'M complete exhibit of the finan.
cha! operations of the carrier each year.
including an annual balance sheet; also
the total number of acres of land received
Der of acres of said grants sold, and aver
age price received per acre, the number of
acres of grants unsOld and the appraised
value per acre. Such detailed reports shall
also contain such information in relation
to rates or regulations concerning fares or
freights and agreements, arrangements or
contracts with express companies. to tele.
companies, fast freight lines, and other
common carriers, as the commissioners
may require, with copies of such contracts
agreements or arrangements.
Sec. 10. (a) That such commissioner
shall, on or before the first day of Decem.
Der in each year, and ofteneri if required by
the governor 10 do so, make a report to the
year, containing such facts, statements and
explanations as will disclose the actual
working Of the system of railroad trans.
pOrtatiOn in its bearings upon the business
and prosperity of the people of this state
and such suggestions in relation thereto as
to them may seem appropriate.
(b) They shall also, at such times as
uIS SOFCluSl oI1dll ullCCG3 CAdLulIlC oily
particular subject connected with the con.
dltion and management of such railroads
and report to him in writing their opinion
thereon, with their reasons therefor. Said
commissioners shall also investigate and
consider what, if any, amendment or
revision OF the railroad laws of this state,
the best interests of the state demand, and
they shall make a special biennial report
on said subject to the governor. All such
reports made to the governor shall be by
him transmitted to the legislature at the
earliest practicable time.
(c) Nothing in this act contained shall
in any way abridge or alter the remedies
now existing at common law or by statute,
but the provisions of this act are in addi-
that no pending litigation shall in
any way b. affected by this act.
The decision of a majority of the CON
mission shall be considered the dicision of
the board on all questions arising for its
consideration. Witnesses summoned be-
fore the commission shall be paid the same
fees and mileage that are paid witnesses
in the district court of the state. All ex-
penses of the commission in making an
investigation or examinations in any other
place than the city Of Bismarck, shall be
allowed and paid out of the state treasury
on the presentation OF itemiZed vouchers
therefor approved by the chairman of the
commission and the state auditor.
SEC. 49,. All acts and parts Of [acts] con-
ficting with the provisions of this act are
hereby repealed.
SEC. 20. An emergency existing, in the
fact that there is no law in force which
properly defines the duties and powers of
the board Of railroad commissioners this act
is intended to remedy that defect; this ACT
shall take effect and be in force from and
after its passage and approval.
Approved March 19, 1890.