The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-04-03
RAILROAD LEGISLATION.

RAILROAD LEGISLATION.
Fun Text of tho Bill Adopted by Am
ance Efforts In Minnesota.
There has been considerable said in
the press of the country concerning the
railroad legislation inaugurated by the
Farmers Alliance influence in the Min
nesota legislature. The resolutions
adopted by the state senate, which was
the first step in the direction of legisla-
ton on this subject, recite the grievances
of the farmers of the state, from an Al
lance standpoint, against the railroad
companies, and it is further declared
that it 10 impossible to determine the
legislation necessary to correct the evils
named without more knowledge of the
exact condition of the railroads. Fol-
lowing are the resolutions:
Resolved, first, That tho state board Of rail-
road and warehouse commissioners be and it
Is hereby directed to collect full and complete
information concerning,
FirstCThe actual cost Of construction and
length in miles of each Of the several railroads
in the state, together with amounts paid for
rights Of way, depot grounds, etc.
ECCOuU- no value Ol Inc IOl1u8 StOCk1 real
estate and other property respectively Of each
Of the companies.
Third-The salaries paid to the several OH
GERS, attorneys, agents, etc.
Fourth-The number of persons employed in
their offices, depots, stations, shops and on
their lines of roads, and the amount paid to
them per year, together with all other operat-
ing expenses, interests, taxes, fines, damages
and any expenses incident to the conduct OF
their business.
Fifth-The bonded Indebtedness Of such COM
pany, with the amount received for such bonds
and the rates of interest they bear; also, the
sums and character of floating debts, If there
be any.
Sixth-The amounts of stock each company
has issued, the times when and on what &C
counts such stock was issued, and the amounts
and kinds of the consideration received for the
same; to whom the stock was issued and the
names of the present holders; also the divi-
dends paid on the same since Jan. l, 1889.
Seventh-The number of acres and average
value per acre Of lands granted by the state OF
general government, and the amounts of bo-
muses. of money or property received from the
state, counties, towns or villages.
Eighth-The description of contracts made
by the companies with their patrons, and
whether differences in terms and rates fol
carrying freights or passengers are ever made
and if SO, the reasons why such determinations
are made.
Ninth-Whether any of the directors, man.
aging officers or agents of the companies are
directly or Indirectly interested in the ship
ments of freights or passengers over the lines
of road with which they have official connec-
ton, or over lines allied to these through aSso-
Citations of business interests; ard whether
their being so interested is ever influential in
securing to such directors, officers or agents OF
their business associates favorable discrimina-
tions.
Resolved, second, That such commission is
hereby empowered to send for persons and
papers, and lat their option) to require that
such information or any part of it shall b
given under oath.
Resolved. third, That, based upon the infor.
nation obtained as hereinbefore provided, the
Judiciary committee shall prepare bill for ar
act for the better regulation of the operation Of
railroads and conduct of the transportation
business in this state.
Resolved, fourth, That it is desirable to in.
clude in one law all necessary legislation fol
controlling the operation of railroads in the
state; that such law shall be just and equitable
in every particular and easy to understand
and that under it's provisions the business Of
the companies shall be made known to the
public, in order that there may be no further
occasion for distrust and Misrepresentation
nor for those animosities now existing between
the public and the companies; and the com
MISSION Is ulrecteO 10 use Jnelr UTMOST en-
deavors to frame bill that will serve this pur.
pose and effectually guard the interests Of all
classes of citizens without imposing hardship
upon the companies.
Resolved, fifth, That the said board of rail.
road and warehouse commissioners be re-
quested to report upon each point named with.
in thirty days after this resolution is passed
And nothing herein contained shall be con-
strued to prevent other legislation upon the
subject of railroads pending the presentation
Of the report.