The Iola register., 1891-01-23
Railroads and Railroad Legislation.

The subject of state regulation of railroads
is one of surprising Importance and never
ending public solicitude In respect to meth
ods of control, the commissioner system has
been demonstrated to he tine most satisfac
tory, and has received the sanction of nearly
all the states of the Union. This system, ad-
ministercd by boards of commissioners, has
come to be regarded as a necessary part of
government. Such a board has existed in
this state since 1885, My predecessors have
spoken of the work of tn s board in terms of
unqualified commendation, and it is believed
that careful review of their Iabors can not
be otherwise than satisfactory.
During the last eight years of the exist
ence of this board there have been built in
this State 5000 miles of railroad, and the
duties of the commission have been CORE
spondingly increased. In the exercise of its
power the board has repeatedly required re-
ductions to be made in the rates of trans
portation charges. and an examination of
the figures for the period covered by its ex-
istence can not be otherwise than interesting
and profitable. 4 comparison of the tonnage
of 1883 with that of 1889 emphasizes the above
statement In the former year the tonnage
of all the roads operating in Kansas, accord
ing to the reports on file in the railroad com
missioners' office, was Il, ,Ssl .522L For the
year 1888, the tonnage of the roads in this
State was 2445I 367, or nearly double the
The earnings from the tonnage of lSs3, ac-
corning to the same authority. were S45, 1885,
sSl; for 1899 they were S56,910O95, or only
twenty five per cent. greater than the re-
ceipts of the former year
While it is doubtless true that the tendency
of transportation charges has been steadily
downward, and that reductions in rates are
a result of consumption and a constantly in
creasing strife for business, as well as re-
sponse to the popular demand for cheaper
service, yet 1t is also true that the existence
of the commission has contributed in large
degree to this result.
The board has, by repeated orders. caused
the abatement of determinations which had
been long maintained upon the freight tar
ifs. and which, so long as they existed. pre-
vented the establishment, upon a secure
basis. of commercial and manufacturing en-
terprises in any ir'erior town in the state
These discriminating tariffs were a menace
to capital their abatement is an invitation to
its investment among us, and the creation of
more diversified industries
With view TO promoting the efficiency of
the board, invite your attention to the ex-
pediency of comforting upon it, by appropri-
ate legislation, the power to require joint
freight tariffs to be made over two or more
railroads which connect with each other,
so that continuous shipments may be made
over such connecting roads from one point
in Kansas to another in the same State, such
joint tariffs ts prescribe rates not to exceed,
beyond reasonable transfer charges, a single
and continuous rate for the same distance
By this means the business of this State
whether it be wholesaling or manufacturing,
existing in any interior town in the State,
may be placed upon as favorable footing so