St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-15
OUR RAILROAD LAWS.
The Free Pass Should BE Entirely
Prohibited by Law.

| The report OF the railroad and warehouse
commission gives full insight into the work
| that has been accomplished under the direc-
ton of that body during the past two years.
Since the passage OF the law creating the
present beard, the records will clearly dem
oustrate the fact ;hat much has been nc
complished that has been Of direct benefit to
the general public. Among other things,
and important, has been the gradual but ma
| terial reduction in transportation rates for
! freight aud passengers. and such action as
has resulted in requiring Of the railroad
companies equal consideration for all classes
of shippers We must not forget, however,
that competition, improved methods of hand
ling trains. newer ana better machinery,
lower grades and the reduced cost of trans
| acting business, aided by IL continually grow
ing traffic. have all assisted In making lighter
the burdens OF transportation. To my mind
one Of the greatest evils incident to railroad
management Is the pernicious habit INDUCED
in by 100 many railroad officials of discrim-
mating in favor OF certain patrons and
| against others IL is an abuse over which the
public feel justly incensed SO manifestly I'M
fair is IL to give one shipper any advantage
over another that, in calling attention TO the
matter to simply state that the practice ex-
lists seems TO be all that is necessary at this
time. The penalties for disobedience Of the
section Of the law referring TO discrimina-
ton should be so severe as 10 administer
lesson 10 him who breaks IL that will not
soon be forgotten. The commission, in It's
report Of 1885, and of later dates, speaks OF
certain form Of discrimination that Is
worthy Of your consideration. / quote from
these reports relative to the system so com
mon among railroad managers Of bestow-
ing free passes: "It is the conviction
of this commission that the Issu-
ing of free passes as now prac-
ticed i'll this state Is an unjust discrimination
As against every passenger that pays, and
thus opposed TO the spirit Of the act passed
for the regulation of common carriers: that
fc f.fr hot IL
injurious alike to public aud private inter-
ests and 10 the interest of the companies
themselves. ana that is one Of the chief
obstacles in the way of proper and necessary
reform IN railway management and the con
troll thereof under authority Of the STATE"
The present law regulating common carriers
especially permits the issuance of passes for
the free transportation Of passengers,
although all other discrimination is pro-
hibitcd under severe penalties Comment is
unnecessary
1t is gratifying to state that those sections
of the law recurring that cars shall be fur
nlshed TO individual shippers have been car
ried into effect more fully during the lasttw
years than at any time heretofore. While
there have been individual cases where the
railroad managers have been derellet In their
duty Ia this respect, yet on the whole the
spirit of the law has been met and its proyl-
sions generally complied with.
the decision rendered IN March last by the
supreme court OF the United States, holding
tnat certain provisions OF the act Of 1887
regulating common carriers are not in bar
moDy with thefederal constitution will Deces.
sltate some changes In urlaws i'm this regard.
II was generally understood when the law OF
1897 was enacted. that while the railroads
were entitled TO receive reasonable rates for
service rendered, the legislature was he sole
arbiter as to what rates were reasonable. It
was generally admitted that this power could
be delegated by the legislature 10 a board CT
commissioners With this In view, the law
Of 1887, as interpreted by the supreme court
of the United States. delegated this power 10
the board of railroad and warehouse com
missioners and provided no means for re.
view of its action. The court Of last resort
has determined that action in such matters