The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-01-22

Whereas, The members of the Iegisla-
ture, many of whom have come long dis
tances and have borrowed money at
high rate of interest to supply their
families with the necessary comforts for
the winter and to pay the expense of
coming here, and
Whereas. Many members are in need
OF money, and that said money is now in
the hands of the treasurer and is draw
ing no interest to the state;
Resolved, That any member SO desir-
ing may at his pleasure draw his full
mileage and receipt for the same.
The house adjourned to II o'clock to-
day.
TELEGRAPH AND EMPRESS TOLL
Two Bills Regulating the Amounts That
Shall Be Charged.
The senate committee on railroads has
reported favorably two important bills by
Senator Lands of Medicine Lodge, which
propose to regulate all charges of tele-
graph and express companies in Kansas
The bills will come up in regular order
within day or two. The bill controlling
telegraph charges provides among other
things:
mo person or corporation operating
any telegraph line in this state shall
charge a rate in excess of fifteen cents
for the first ten words, aud one half cent
for each additional word, for distance
of more than two hundred miles between
points within this state. And no com
pany shall charge more than one cent for
each word for messages of over ten
words received between the hours of six
o'clock a. m. and six o'clock D. m, and
one sixth of one cent per word for mes
sages received between the hours of six
o'clock p. N. and six o'clock a. m, to be
a. oil fc-
papers for publication, for any distance
between points within this state These
rates to be determined and charged for
the actual distance by the shortest and
most direct line"
The bill also allows ten cents a mile
for the distance travelled in delivering
the message, in excess of TWO miles, from
the Office at which it is received.
Amy person or company found guilty
of violating any of the sections of this
act, is punishable by a fine of from $50
to $500, and imprisonment for not less
than thirty days nor more tina one year.
Express Charges.
The act in relation to express charges
does not fix any schedule as in the case
of the telegraph bill, but c,ompels all
express companies operating in Kansas
to furnish the board of railroad commits
sioners with such figures, tariffs and in
formation as will enable them to formu-
late maximum rate bill. The bill;says:
Every company doing a gen eral ex-
press business within this stat shall,
within sixty days after the tax
ing effect of this act. file with
the secretary of the state board of
railway commissioners, report of
their express business for the last year
preceding the passage of this act, giving
the business of each month, showing the
amount of freight or express mattel car
ried, and the rates charged therefor; the
number of employees engaged ana the
wages paid in conducting said express
business, and each item of expense th ere
with connected; and a true itemlzed
statement of receipts and expenses, and
the gross and net earnings from said ex-
press business for said year, to-
gether with statement of the capital
stock of said company, and the dividend
paid thereon for the last three ye ars
prior to the passage of this act. And such
company shall file with the report, tive
correct copies Of the schedule of rates or
charges of such company in force on
that date. And the companies shall, on
each year thereafter, file true and cor
rect report of its business for the proceed
ing year, giving the same Details
The bill further provides that the
board on finding any discrimination
on the part of any express companies, of
one locality, town or city against an
other, the board shall prepare a reasona-
bic, fair and just schedule of maximum
rates to be used and charged by all CD ~
panies doing express business with the
state.
The companies must be duly notified
of any change in the express rates. The
schedules so created must be kept a nd
posted in plain sight at all times in eacsh
Office of the express company in Kansa s..
Penalties for violation of this act aIe
the same as in the bill relating to teleN-
graphs.