St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-20
A Drastic Piece Of Legislation
Proposed for the Regula-
tion Of Railroads.
F. M. Currier Author Of q Bill
Aimed at the Pocket Of
the Millionaire.
The House Committees, as
Announced by the Speaker,
Favorably Received.
S. C. Bowman Gusts Jorgen
Jensen and Takes His
Seat in the House.

That important railroad legislation is
expected from the Legislature now in
session is generally conceded, and the
bill introduced i'll the house yesterday
by Representative Currier, of Blue
Earth, Is likely to raise one of the bit
terest legislative fights experienced in
Minnesota. The bill proposes to revo-
lutionize railroad legislation in this
state; the railroad commission. under
its provisions, would be empowered
with far-reaching powers in the control
of railroad management. while the rail-
roads themselves are tightened up in
the usual approved style. The bill is
modelled OIL the Iowa law, and was drawn
up by Mr.. Currier. The title of the bill
reads:
A bill for an act to regulate railroads and
other common carriers in the state, and to in
crease the powers and further define the du-
ties of the board OF railroad commissioners
in relation to the same, and to prevent and
punish extortiOn and unjust discrimination
in the rates charged for the transportation OF
passengers and freightS on railroads in this
state, and TO prescribe the mode OF proceed
ure and rules of evidence in relation thereto.
A carefully prepared synopsis of the
law is given. 1t runs:
SeCIlOH 68 pldlHS lldJ Tue pTOYlSlOHS VI
the act apply 10 the transportation of passen-
gers and property, and to receiving, deliver
ing and storage and handling OF property
wholly within this state, and shall apply TO
all railroad corporations and railway com,
panies, freight or freight line companies and
to any common carrier or carriers engaged
id this state in the transportation of passen
gers or property by railroads therein. 1t also
applies TO shipments OF property made from
any point within the state 10 any point with
in the state, whether the transportation OF
the same shall be wholly within this state or
partly within this aud an adjoining state or
states.
Section provides that all cha rges for trans
portation of property shall be reasonable and
jnst, and every unjust and unreasonable
charge for such service is prohibited and de-
clared to be unlawful
Section defines and prohibits discrimina-
ton in rates. either directly or indirectly, or
by any special rate, rebate drawback or other
i device.
Section declares 1t to be unlawful for any
particular common carrier to give any pref
erence or advantage to any particular COM
pany, firm, corporation, or locality in any re-
spect whatsoever or to subject them to any
prejudice or disadvantage. This does not
prohibit common carriers from giving pref
erence of shipment TO live stock, uncured
meats or other perishable property.
Section makes the same provision as to
long and short haul as the Interstate COM
merce law.
/ DeCtlOilO pTolllDlJS pOOllHS Ou IItlButS, UT
the division of earnings between competing
roads.
Section Z provides for the printing and
keeping for public inspection schedules
showing the rates and fares and charges for
the transportation OF passengers and prop
erty which any common carrier has estab-
lished. and which are in force at the time
upon its railroad. Fifteen days notice is re-
quired for change of rates, the Iowa law pro-
viGing for only ten days notice. The rail
changes in rates or fares.
Sec. g. All railroad companies doing busi-
ness.in this state shall, upon the demand Of
| any person or persons Interested, establish
reasonable joint though rates for the trans
| portaton of freight between points on their
| respective through lines within this state,
| and shall receive aud transport freight and
| cars over such route or routes as the shipper
| shall direct.
sec. 0. In the event that said railway COM
| panies fail TO establish through Joint rates. or
| fail to establish any charges for such through
shipments it shall be the duty of the board
| of railroad commissioners, and they are
hereby directed, upon the application of any
| person or persons interested to establish
| joint rates for the shipment of freight and
| cars over two or more connecting lines of
| railroad in this state The rates established
by the board OF railroad commissioners shall
| go into effect within ten days after the same
| are promulgated by said board, and from and
| after that time the schedules of such rates
| snail De prlIna IdCle tN1uence Ill all OF the
| courts of this state that the rates therein
| fixed are just and reasonable maximum
| charges for the joint transportation of freight
and cars upon the railroads for which such
| schedules have been fixed.
Sec. 10. Before the pronunciation Of such
| rates as provided in section of this act the
| board of railroad commissioners shall notify
| the railroad companies interested Iii the
! schedule of joint rates fixed by them; and
| they shall give said railroad companies rea-
| n thereafter n fmQ pfu
| days, to agree upon division of the charges
| provided for in such schedules: and in the
| event of the failure of said railroad com-
| panes TO agree upon division ana to notify
| the board of such agreement the board of
| railroad commissioners shall, after hearing
| of the companies interested, decide the same,
| taking into consideration the value of the
| terminal facilities and all the circumstances
| of the haul, and the division so determined
| by the board shall, in all the controversies or
| suits between the railroad companies inter-
| ested, be prima facie evidence of a Just and
| reasonable division OF such charges.
Section Ii prohibits unjust and unreason-
| able charges for transportation of freight
| and cars over two or more railroads in this
| state. The same provision is made in regard
| to passenger rates. The failure to comply
| shall be punished as contempt and make the
| corporation liable to penalty of $500 fine
| for each days failure to comply, and no bond
| shall be required of the commissioners the
mandamus being issued in the name Of the
| state.
Section 12 provides that such Joint haul
must be treated by the common carriers as
| continuous, and there must be no break of
| bulk stoppage or interruption.
| Section IL provides that in case any COM
mon carrier fails to comply with the pro-
| visions of this act they shall be liable TO the
persons injured thereby for three times the
amount of damages sustained in conse-
quence of any such violation of the pro-
visions of this act, together with costs of suit
and a reasonable counsel or attorneys fee, to
be fixed by the court.
Section IA provides for the manner In
which suit shall be brought by persons claim
| ing damages.
Section Is provides thatany officer. director
or any other person employed by any com
mon carrier who shall suffer or permit or
cause violation of this act or aid and abet
therein, shall be deemed guilty of misde
meanor and shall, upon conviction thereof,
be subject to fine Of not TO exceed 5000 or
| less than $500 for each offense.
Sec 16. The board Of railroad commission
ers is vested with authority TO inquire into
| the business of all common carriers, to en-
able them to carry out the duties and the OBJ
| iect for which the board was created.
Section II describes the manner in which
com plainants shall make complaints against
railroads.
Section IS provides that it shall be the duty
Of the commissioners, after investigating
| complaint, 10 make q full report in writing.
| Section IS refers to the manner in which
| the commissioners shall conduct investiga-
| tons.
| Section % provides for the manner in
Which proceedings shall be Instituted in dis
| triet courts against railroad companies com
plained of.
Sec. p. The board Of railroad commits
/ sioners Of this state is empowered and di-
| reeted to make for each of the railroad COM
| panies doing business III this state as soon as