The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1891-06-12
THE RAILROAD COMMISSION.

I1E RAILROAD COMMlSSlON.
Secretary Mayhem Gives Out Some Inter-
esting Facts ON its Work.
Mr.. H. e. Mayhew, Secretary of the
Board of Railroad Commissioners, was
in town Tuesday and gave The RE-
PUBLICAN an interesting account of the
recent trips of the Commission over the
railway lines of the State. Mr.. May
hew stated that during the past month
q part of the Commission consisting of
himself, H. j. Rice, of Huron, Chair
man of the Commission, and G. E.
Mckinney, of Sioux Falls, had just
completed a thorough Investigation of
all the lines of the Milwaukee system in
the state, and also all the lines in the
Black Hills. He finds that the people
in the Hills are highly elated over the
increased railroad facilities which have
come to them through the construction
of additional lines there during the past
year. Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri
Valley, The Deadwood Central, The
Black Hills and Fort Pierre, and the
Burlington and Missouri are all in sue
cessful operation, are doing good busi-
ness and are offering the people excell-
ent accommodations. This state of af-
fairs in regard to the accommodations
and service offered the public is the
same as regards the Milwaukee system,
the only line east of the Missouri which
the Commission has as yetinvestigated,
it being the intention of the Commiss-
ion to make tour of the Northwestern
and other systems In July. Speaking
of the complaints made by the public
against the railroads Mr.. Mayhew
stated that they were very few in num-
Der, and that, in short, they did not ex-
pectvery many, only those that may ap-
pear in ante-election speeches, when In
dependent orators will make great cry
against railway and other corporations.
OF the complaints so far received the
railways have in each instance made
concessions upon being shown the equi-
ties in the ease by members of the Com
mission.
In regard to the hue and cry raised
against the railroads at election time
Mr.. Mayhem recalled the action of one
of the Independent members of the last
legislature. The member in question
was one of the most bitter anti-railroad
men prior to election. After his cleo
tion to a seat in the legislature he rode
to Pierre on pass, drew his mileage,
and after his arrival secured a pass from
the railroads in order that other mem
bers of his family could visit the capi-
tai during the legislative session. Dur
ing the session, to pull the wool over
the eyes of his constituents, he intro
duced a bill making the legal rate two
cents mile for passenger traffic.
While the same member would have
voted against the bill had its fate de.
pended on his personal vote, he secured
Its disposal by better method, by Sc.
curing its postponement.
The Commission are seeing that the
requirements of the grain and ware
house law as passed by the Legislature
two years ago are fully observed. The
different warehouses have been exam
ined and the different buyers are, in
consequence of the attitude of the Com
mission, treating the people with uni
form fairness and consideration. Blu
few complaints have been made in re
gard to violations of this law. TIL,
Secretary stated that while the power
of the Commission was by no means a
absolute as the laws should clothe i
with still they have been, are doing
and will be able to do great amount o
good to theapublic under the presen
system.