Omaha daily bee., 1890-03-09
WHY NEBRASKA IS KICKING.
Complaint to Be Filed Before the
Interstate Commission.
A sTRCNG SHOWING MADE.
Diany Urgent Reasons Why Rates
Should BE Materially Lowered
Arrested for Forgery-The
Capital City In Brief

Before the Interstate Commission.
The following petition will be filed before
the Interstate commerce commission on it's
visit here next week, by the board Of secre-
taries and Attorney General Leese Of the
state board OF transportation
The state board of transportation OF the
state OF Nebraska, complainant, vs. the Chi
cago. Burlington g. Quincy railroad COM
pany, the Chicago & Northwestern railroad
company, the Union Pacific railroad com
pany, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific
railroad company, and the Missouri Pacific
railroad company, defendants.
The petition OF the above named complain
ant respectfully shows:
/. That the state board OF transportation
of the state of Nebraska, complainant, is a
board created under and existing by virtue
of the laws Of the state of Nebraska, and has
by the laws of the state of Nebraska the
power ana authority to regulate, supervise
and control all railroads operated by steam
in said state and engaged in the business of
common carriers.
2 That each OF said defendants is a duly
Incorporated railroad company, and that each
OF said defendants are engaged IN the trans
portation or passengers and property be-
tween the states Of Nebraska, Iowa and Illi-
nois; and that each of said defendants oper-
ate IN connection with their main line OF
railroad large number OF branch lines of
railroads III the state of Nebraska, which are
owned by the defendants respectively or
operated by them under contracts, agree
Aents or leases; and carry passengers and
property between the cities of Omaha, Lin
coin, Grand Island, Beatrice Hastings, Fre-
mont, kearney and various other shipping
points within said state ana the City OF Chi.
oaRo and various other cities in the state of
Illinois.
3. That the state of Nebraska is largely an
agricultural state, ana produces vast ouanti-
ties Of corn and other grains; and that the
greater portion thereof ia shipped TO Chi
cago, St. Louis, New York City, Baltimore,
Philadelphia ana other eastern markets !;
and that there is now vast quantities in the
state of Nebraska ready for shipment TO
eastern markets over the lines of railroads
managed, operatec and controlled by the de-
fen dants respectively; and that the greater
portion Of said grain is transported over
said lines OF railroad aforesaid TO the said
city OF Chicago, which Is the general and
best market for all the grain produced and
shipped from points within the state of Ne
braska
1. That tho rates of transportation
charged demanded and received by each of
said defendants for the transportation OF
corn from points In Nebraska, to Chicago,
H., are so high, unreasonable, exorbi
tant ana excessive that the producers and
shippers of Nebraska are unable to ship
their corn 10 said market, and said exorbitant
and excessive rate amounts TO "a prohibition
on corn shipments.
. That prior TO the taking effect of the
Interstate commerce law, each of said de-
fendahts charged and received as just aud
reasonable rate for transporting corn to the
Chicago market the sum of lIo per 100
pounds from the city of Lincoln, Neb., and
common points; that the said sum Of 1lc per
l1 pounds wns less than the published
schedule of said defendants rates, but by a
system OF rebates, draw backs. under billing
aad other similar devices the said sum of
l@c per. 100 pounds, anu no more, was the
actual sum received for said service, by said
defendants.
4. That siRee the said interstate law has
taken effect the rates OF the defendants have
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