St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-20

practicable schedule of rates for passen
gers and cars. and they may change and ree
wise such schedules as often as cirCumt
stances may require. Ten days notice must
be given before deciding such rates.
Section ~ provides that railroad commits.
sioners shall investigate all complaints of unt
reasonably high or discriminating rates al
fixed by the commissioners in section u.
Section q provides for the manner of hear,
ing and conducting such investigations and
places the burden of proof regarding the als
legged high and discriminating rate upon the
railroad rather than the complainant.
Section q provides for the fixing OF rates
by the commissioners after holding such in
vestigation.
Section p provides that the board OF rail.
road commissioners may conduct their pro-
ceedlngs in such manner as will best con,
duce to the ends of justice.
Sec. 10 Annual reports are required from
all common carriers in the state, which shall
show the amount of capital stock issued. the
amounts paid therefor, the manner of pay
ment tor the same, the dividends paid, the
number of free passes issued, and to whom,
the surplus fund If any, the number of stock
holders, the funded and floating debts and
the interest paid thereon, the costs and
value of the carriers property. franchises
ana equipments, the number of officers and
employees. and the salaries paid each class:
the amounts expended for Improvements,
earnings and receipts, operating and other
expenses, balance of profit and loss, and q
complete exhibit of the financial operations
of the carrier each year, including an annual
balance sheet; also in regard 10 rates and
regulations in force.
Section p provides that any railroad COM
pany collecting or receiving more than fair
and reasonable rate for passengers or freight
shall be deemed guilty of extorton.
Sec. y. For discrimination in regard to
passenger or freight rates, or for any service
whatsoever, all evidence submitted regarding
the same shall be taken as prima facie evil
dence OF the unjust Determinations prohib-
tied by the provisions of this act.
Section - provides that il shall be unlaW
full for any railroad company to charge more
per car than 1t charges for several cars, or
more per ton or per 100 pounds than it
charges for several hundred pounds for alike
class of freight over the same railroad, for
the same distance, and III the same direction
See. 80. Any railroad corporation guilty OF
extortion or discrimination as to passengers
or freight shall be liable, upon conviction. TO
be fined III any sum not less than ST or more
than $4,000, and for every subsequent otfense
not less than 5000, nor more than $4,000
Section 81 provides for inhieting the same
penalty by civil action. by ordinary pro-
eeedings III the name OF the state.
Section - provides that the railroad COM
miSsionerS shall Immediately cause suits TO
be commenced and prosecuted against such
railroads or common carriers that they have
good reason TO believe has been guilty of ex-
tortion or discrimination. Such suits may
Section 80 provides that this act does NOT
apply 10 United States, state, municipal gov
eminent freights, or the handling OF freights
for charitable purposes, nor the giving of re-
duced rates TO school children, ministers OF
OF free carriage to their own officers and en-
ployes and families, and 10 persons in charge
OF live stock in transit and return, or TO the
interchange OF passes between principal
officers or employees from exchanging passes
or tickets for their officers and employees: but
the issue Of free Tasses TO any other person or
persons is prohibited and declared 10 be Tn
lawful.
See. 81 The railroad commissioners and
their secretaries, with any experts or other
agents whose services they may require, are
to be transported free of charge.
Section 30 provides for the expenses OF the
commission and that an appropriation OK
$4,000 by made by the state.
The enacting clause provides that the
bill take effect sixty days after its pass
age.