The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-16
p. H RAHILLY, FORMALLY PLACES
BEFORE THE STATE RAIL
ROAD COMMISSION
COMPLAINTS THAT WERE MADE
BY THE FARMERS ALLIANCE COM
MITTEE THAT CALLED UPON
THAT BODY.
WANTS FARES CUT TO TWO CENTS
And Weighing Scales at Shipping
Points in the State Where There
Are None Now.

Now its your turn, gentlemen says
+. H. Rahilly after having on behalf
of the Farmers Alliance and Indus
trial union of the state of Minnesota,
filed with the railroad and warehouse
commission petition touching the sub
jects discussed at the recent conference
between the alliance committee and the
commission. 1t is understood that Mr.
RahillyS object in reducing to writing
the subjects of the former discussion,
is to place on the commission the obi
CATION to take the initiative in securing
the relief asked, and to avoid the ex-
pense and trouble of calling witnesses
ur:der the provisions in the law which
imposes any real affirmative obligation
on the commission to act for and on
behalf Of the public. Following is a
| copy of Mr.. Rahillys petition:
To the Railroad and Warehouse commission
ofthe State of Minnesota:
The petition of P. H. Rahily for himself
and as representing the Farmers Alliance
and Industrial Union of the State of Mime
sofa, being an association or society composed
of farmers and other producers among the cit
liens of said state, respectfully represents to
your honorable body:
l. That the common carriers by rail, oper-
ating in this state, have omitted and still
omit to provide farmers and other shippers
| of grain and other products, with weighing
scales at the several stations shipping
points along the lines of said carriers.
|, That by reason of said omission gr1evouS
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 afore-
said proper certificates or receipts setting
Forth thn Of 1nHit inC
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 complained
of is especially worthy of your consideration
with reference to shipments 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 the part OF the
shipper, in cases of leakage or other cause Of
loss from their vehicles, 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 himself and OF
the association or society named, that the
charges made by said common carriers, and
all Of them, for the transportation OF per-
sons and property to and from the several
stations on said lines within this state, are
unequal and unreasonable in that
(a) The charge Of two cents per mile is
just and reasonable charge for the convey
ance of passengers over the lines Of said
common carriers, while the said carriers have
always charged and still charge for such
service a rate Of three cents per mile within
the limits of this state, which said rate Of
three cents per mile for Transporting passen-
gers, as aforesaid, is unjust and unreasonable.
(b) The charges made by said common
carriers for the carriage over their lines esq OF
in certain sections of the state with reference
to those prevailing within other and different
sections for service of the same nature and
the carriage of like descriptions of property
and over corresponding distances; that said
charges unreasonable and oppressive in
all cases, and should be materially reduced.
Your petitioner is unable and does not seek
to offer further specification in this latter be-
half than by calling the attention 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 nand, tne
carriers have been greatly lessened during the
same period, by the great and continuous
reduction in the prices of all material neces-
sary in the equipment and operation of their
roads, and of the prices paid by them for Ia
Dor of all kinds Except, perhaps, for the Ia
Dor of the higher officials of said corporations
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.
g. Your petitioner further represents that
a change in the mode of operating the roads
of 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
the certificates receipts above referred to,
either by the establishment of weighing scales
or otherwise, is reasonable and eXpedient in
order to promote the security, convenience
and accommodation of the public, within the
intent and meaning of the law which creates
your honorable body
Therefore, your petitioner, on his own be-
half and on behalf of the association or So
ciety aforesaid, and Of the people of this
state, prayS of your honorablebody:
First-That you may forthwith inform the
railroad companies that the establishment
of such weighing scales or the securing by
such other adequate means to the farmers
and other shippers of the certificates or re-
ceipts mentioned is reasonable and expedient,
in order to promote the security of the pub
lie, and that you shall do so by a notice
thereof in writing, to be served as a sum-
mons in civil actions as required to be served
by the statutes of this state in actions against
corporations, certified by your clerk or sec
rotary; and If such railroad corporation
shall neglect or refuse to comply with your
order in that behalf, that then your honor
able body shall cause such suits or proceed
ings to be instituted to enforce your said
orders provided by the law already referred
to.
and consider what, if any, amendment or re-
vision of the railroad laws of this state the
best interests OF the state demand, and that
you shall forthwith make a special report on
said subject to the governor so that the same
may, by him, be transmitted to the legisla-
ture at the earliest practicable time en-
bodying, if in your judgment the same be
desirable, a recommendation that the said
railroad laws shall be amended and revised so
that it may become practicable Immediately
and from time to time, either by legislation
or otherwise to secure material reductions in
the prevailing charges within this state for
the transportation Of persons and property
and the establishment of equal and reasonable
charges in that behalf, which, in the opinion
Of your petitioner and, as he is informed and
believes, of the masses of the people, do not
now prevail.
Third.-That you may forthwith examine
into the question Of the establishment Of the
rate of two cents mile for the conveyance
of passengers on the railroads within this
state as a just and reasonable charge, and es-
pecially with reference to the practice which
now prevails among the railroads. and which
is matter of public notoriety, of selling to
favored individuals, contrary to law large
quantities of transportation privileges in the
form of mileage books and otherwise for the
conveyance of passengers, at the rate of two
cents a mile, and other special and discrim-
mating rates; and that you may report to
the governor forthwith recommending the
establishment of a uniform rate of two cents