Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1895-03-08
TAE LEGISLATURE.
The Daily Proceedings of the Fourth
Session of the Legislative
Assembly.
Synopsis of Bills introduced, Debates
on Important Measures and
Gossip in the Lobbies.
FIFTY-SECOND DAY.
SENATE.
Senate convened at 2 p. m.

Prayer by the chaplain
The resolution of the mass meeting of
business men and railroad men at James
town to protest against certain railroad
legislation, was presented to the senate.
THE RAILROAD COMMITTEE.
The report of the joint interstate oom
mittee on railroads was read, as follows:
OF the House of Representatives of the
States OF Minnesota and North Dakota:
The joint Interstate committee, duly ap-
pointed by the senate and house of rep
resentaIves of the states of Minnesota and
North Dakota, to confer upon the matter of
freight rates on lumber, grain and coal
within said states, respectfully submit the
following report OF its proceedings:
Your committee convened in st. Paul,
Minn., Feb. IS, 1895, at 10 o'clock a. m.
Present, Senators smith and Cronkhite,
Representatives Shell and Deuaittre, of
Minnesota, and Senators Little and Burke,
and Representatives Twichell, Wineman
ane Prosser, of North Dakota. Absent
Representative HartshOrn, of Minnesota.
On motion Senator Smith was elected
chairman, and Representative Prosser sec
retary OF the committee.
At the first session the question of best
mode of procedure was generally discussed,
and it was decided to invite the chairman
of the State Board of Railroad Commits
of the various railroads interested to ap-
pear before the committee at the subse-
quent sessions to give information relating
to, and reasons why, freight rates should
not be reduced in the states of Minnesota
and North Dakota.
before this committee had been under con-
sideration for some time; that under Min
nesota law the bO 4rd has the power to fix a
reasonable rate, but the trouble was to get
information that would enable them to in
telligently determine what would be held
reasonable rate, for the reason that rail
road companies refused to furnish satisfac-
tory evidence as to the cost Of tranSpOrta-
ton. That the board had secured the
services of an expert to ascertain the actual
cost OF constructing, equipping and operat.
ing railroads within the state, which facts
would be used as the basis in the fixing of
rates.
Mr.. Moore, representing the Northern
Pacific, stated in substance that owing to
diminished volume OF business railroads
were not able to pay expenses under exist
ing rates; that to expect a lower tariff now
seemed unreasonable, and recommended
that farmers should endeavor to help them
selves by diversifying their operations, in
stead OF depending so much upon outside
assistance in the way of concessions from
railroads when times were hard and wheat
prices low.
Objection was raised to this line of argu-
menr, and statement made chat the mem
bers were not seeking information about
how they should farm, but how they could
get reasonable rates of transportation on
grain, lumber and coal.
1t was urged that the committee desired
information as to the present cost OF trans
portatiOn compared with the cost, say three
years ago, or at the time when the present
schedule was adopted.
Mr.. Moore evaded the question by urging
diversified farming.
In the matter of rates on Ignite coal over
Great Northern lines in North Dakota, Mr..
Phinney stated in substance that coal on
their line was only found at points where
the local business was so small that it ne
cessitated the hauling of empty cars to the
mines, which cost the company almost as
much as hauling loads, and tor that reason
they considered the coal rates fixed by law,
although adopted by other roads, unreasOn-
able and unjust. and they should refuse to
accept them.
MI. Grover, general solicitor of the Great
Northern, addressed the committee at
length, c0ntending that the Great Northern
had been liberal in its voluntary reduction
of transportation rates when the volume of
business and general prosperity of the road
had warranted it; but present conditions
be conceded at this time. It was shown
that between 1881 and 1892 rates had been
reduced from 20 to 40 per cent.
Failing to secure voluntary concessions,
the committee found that the only practi-
cable way to accomplish the object sought
was by legislation, and directed the secre-
tary to have suitable bills prepared and in
troduced in North Dakota and Minnesota,
providing for 10 per cent. reduction in the
rates ON grain, lumber and coal, based on
the schedule now in force.
After which the committee adjourned to
meet at Bismarck. N. D., Feb. Is, 1895.
Respectfully submitted,
j. H. SMITH, Chairman.
F. Fl. PROssER, Secretary.
SENATOR LITTLE moved that the re-
port be adopted and printed in the journal,
which motion prevailed.
The concurrent resolution relating to the
investigation of the American Live Stock
association was copcurred in.
BILLS PASSED.
Senate bill No. 1873 (GregorS's): Prevent
ing prairie fires. Provides what fire breaks
are and when they must be made, and duty
of railroads in relation thereto.
Senate bill No. II (StevensO: Amending
section Is, article Is, chapter %, laws Of
1893. Requires city taxes to be collected on
general tax roll by county treasurer.
Senate bill No. 145: Election law (by
judiciary cOmmittee).
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