The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-01-20
THE ALLIANCE.
Wants Fares Reduced to Two Cents
and Weighing Scales at Shipping
Points in the State, Which
Have None Now.
Mr. Rahilly Formally Places Before the State
Railroad Commission Complaints That
Were Made by the Farmers ALI
ance Committee.

half of the Farmers Alliance and In
dustrial union of the state of Minneso-
ia, filed with the railroad and ware
house commission a petition touching
the subjects discussed at the recent con-
ference between the alliance commit
tee and the commission 1t is under
stood that Mr. Rahilly's object in reduc-
ing to writing the subjects OF the former
discussion, is to place on the commits
sion the obligation to take the initia-
tive in securing the relief asked, and to
avoid the expense and trouble of call
ing witnesses under the provisions in
the law which imposes any real affir-
native obligation on the commission to
act for and on behalf OF the public.
Following is copy of Mr.. Rahilly's
petition:
To the Railroad and Warehouse COM
mission of the State of Minnesota:
The petition of p. H. Rahilly, for
himself and as representing the Farm
ers' Alliance and Industrial Union of
the state of Minnesota, being an asscci-
alton or society composed Of farmers
and other producers among the citiz-
ems of said state, respectfully repres-
ents 10 your honorable body:
l. That the common carriers by rail,
operating in this state, have omitted
and still omit to provide farmers and
other shippers Of grain and other pro-
ducts, with weighing scales at the sew
eral stations Or shipping points along
the lines of said carriers.
That by reason of said omission
grievous loss and injury are frequently
sustained by said farmers and shippers,
in that they are unable to secure from
said carriers at the places and times
of their shipments as aforesaid proper
certificates or receipts setting forth the
exact quantities of the commodities
thus shipped by them, thereby placing
upon said farmers and shippers, in case
| of failure to deliver the commodities
shipped and the whole of the same, the
burden of proving, in cases of litigation,
Or otherwise the exact quantity and
quality of such commodities so shipped,
were not delivered by said carrier or
carriers. The grievance herein COM
planned Of is especially worthy of your
consideration with reference to ship
| ments Of grain and other agricultural
products in bulk, in which cases the
| carriers omit and refuse to furnish such
| certificates, thus rendering it difficult
| and in many cases impossible on the
| part of the shipper, in cases of leakage
| or other cause of loss from their We
hicles, to establish the true weights and
| quality Of such products placed in their
| custody for transportation.
Your petitioner further represents to
your honorable body on behalf Of him
self and of the association or society
named by said common carriers, and
all Of them, for the transportation of
persons and property to and from the
several stations on said lines within
this state, are unequal and unreason-
able in that
(a) The charge Of two cents per mile
is just and reasonable charge for the
conveyance of passengers over the lines
OF said common carriers, while the said
carriers have always charged and still
charge for such service rate of three
cents per mile within the limits of this
state, which said rate of three cents per
mile for transporting passengers, as
aforesaid, is unjust and unreasonable.
CD The charges made by said com.
mon carriers for the carriage over their
lines of all descriptions of property are
uHCNudI Witulu CSItdlu SoCl1OnS OF the
state with reference to those prevailing
within other and different sections for
service OF the same nature and the car
rlage OF like descriptions of property
and over corresponding distances; that
said charges are unreasonable and op-
presslve in all cases, and should be
materially reduced" st. tf'ts
Your petitioner is unable and does not
seek to offer further specification in this
latter behalf than by calling the atten-
ton OF your honorable body to the fact
that while the values of property Of
every description, and more especially
of agricultural products, have become
greatly reduced within the past few
years. and while, on the other hand, the
operating expenses of said corporations
and carriers have been greatly iessened
during the same period, by the great
and continuous reduction in the prices
OF all material necessary in the euuip-
,ment and operation of their roads, and
OF the prices paid by them for labor of
all kinds Except, perhaps, for the la
Dor OF the higher officials of said COR
porations and carriers), the cost of
transportation of person and property
still remains substantially undisturbed
and the financial burdens of the same
to the whole people is correspondingly
increased
3. Your petitioner further represents
that change in the mode OF operating
the roads at said corporations and of
conducting their business, which will
enable the farmers and other shippers
OF grain and other agricultural products
to secure from such corporations tho
certificates Or receipts above referred
to, either by the esta blishment of
weighing scales or otherwise, is reason
able and expedient in order to promote
the security, convenience and accomod-
alton of the public, within the intent
and meaning of the law which creates
your honorable body.
Therefore, your petitioner. on his own
behalf and on behalf of the association
OF society aforesaid. and of the peonle
OF this state, prays of your honorable
body:
First-That you may forthwith in.
form the railroad companies that the
establishment Of such weighing scales
or the securing by such other adequate
means to the farmers and other shin
pers of the certificates or receipts men
toned is reasonable and expedient. in
order to promote the security of the
public, and that you shall do so by
! notice thereof in writing, to be served
as summons in civil actions nc 70