The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1896-06-03

Servants of the People or Railroad Commits
sioners.
Editor Representatives:
/ have just read the published proceed
ings OF the eighth annual convention of
railway commissioners, just held at Wash
ington, D. c.. in which the state railroad
commissioners Of thirteen states, including
Minnesota, were present.
The report OF A. X Tiesberg. of Min
nesota, chairman OF the conventions
committee on government control. govern
ment regulation and government owner
ship OF railroads. suggests the question at
the caption Of this letter. | now here quote
from that report, viz:
with all due respect to the ability, in
"tegrity and industry Of our present courts,
both state and federal, your committee
ventures the suggestion OF the creation Of
special courts for the adjustment of rail
"road rate cases and COMPLAINTS
This Is nice. I am surprised n view of
the tone OF this report, that this distin-
guished and able committee did not rec
ommend that such new proposed courts be-
composed of judges to be appointed by the
president for life upon the recommended
ton and nomination of a majority Of all
the railroad presidents within the great
republic in order that great railroad abil-
ity and knowledge and prescence in rail-
road and corporate management and :nteg-
rity could be secured beyond all question
for this new bench, which is to make such
great speciality of railroad questions.
No, Mr.. Editor, any special railroad
court would only add to the compleXity
and Disadvantages of the people in dealing
with railroad questions, and such a spe-
cial court idea is in line with the special
and favored legislation, state and national
in favor Of railroad corporations through
long decades.
The trouble now is not in lack of courts
but in the lack of simplicity and exped:-
ton in getting to final justice against rail-
road corporations, and in the lack of ade-
quate penalties and remedies
The courts Of this state both supreme
and district, contain some excellent men,
who will do impartian justice if the legal
LOCALITIES of formal.tes could ever be so
simplifed that case could be presented
and brought to a finality within 60 days
instead of as many months or longer, as
is frequently the case.
This committee is evidently strongly op-
posed to government ownership and oper-
alton of railroads. l again quote from the
report, VIZ;
ut is our opinion that if the public knew
1.-The cost and value of the railroads as as
certa.ned by the government, the earn
"ings and expenses from time to time, or
"year to year, and fe,t implicit confidence
en- such statements, much of the present
agitation concerning the railroads would
cease. to the great benefit Of all con-
"cerned"
How exquisitely pleasing and refreshing
those officials selected and pad by the
various states to look specially to the needs
and demands of the people for relief in
railroad transportation
After continuous contention by the peo-
pie over transportation questions since the
Granger organized actions Of the early
seventies, it IS finally discovered by this
Tiesberg committee that the railroads have
always been right and the great cost of
each railroad is so staggering as to be
conclusive evidence that the railroad COM
panies are simply organized and incorpo-
rated philanthrop.sts.
On the whole, the report Of the Tiesberg
committee ought to be and doubtless will
be most pleasing and gratifying to every
railroad corporation in the American
union, for according to this report the time
for the ownership by the government Of
the railroads is Indefinitely postponed
l note that the railroad commissioners
OF this state were all present at this con-
vention, and Mr.. Tiesberg, their secretary,
and yet not dissent was uttered by SIN
gle one Of the commissioners to that report,
and their assent is presumed, and n their
actions are any criterion of their positions
in matters Of public concern, their posi-
tons are unfortunate for the welfare of the
respectfully, j. NJ True.
Grand Rapids, Mimi, May 81, 1896.