Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-08
TOUCHES ur RAILWAY COMMISSION

AppointiNc nonrd MS Potent nv an
Elective One II IL wishes to Ne.
Under the second constitutional provision
the Legislature has established a Board OF
Transportation, giving to such board power
to prevent unjust discrimination TO fix
reasonable rates for the carrying of freghts.
and in general to carry out the provisions
of the act creating euch board. board
thus established, properly enforcing the law,
can serve a good purpose In preventing
unjust discrimination or eXorhitant rates
for the carrying of frelghts by the different
railroads OF the state. Its usefulness de-
pends very much on its ability to enforce
tn, the laws laws; If the board has has
constituted, to fulnll the objects OF its crea-
tion, the law should be amended so as to
give 1t more extended powers. Tho neces-
sty fol the maintenance of an Office
charged with the duties OF enforcing all pro-
visions of the law regulating railroad traffic
in the state, Is quite obvious TO all.
The people of the state l am satisfied.
prefer an elective railroad commission rather
than the commission as now created This
they are unable to accomplish until our
fundamental law shall be amended provid-
ing for these additional executive officers.
A constitutional amendment looking to that
end was submitted to the electors at the
last general election, the adoption of which
is quite doubtful Until such a commission
can be provided for by constitutional
amendment whatever relief that may be OBJ
tanned must be secured through a board OF
transportation or railroad commission COM
posed OF executive officers already created
by the constitution. l am unable to see
why II an elective commission may be en-
powered to give to the people any relief
from unjust discrimination ovcrcharges,
the same powers may not be given to
a commission composed of executive officers
as existing under the constitution.
Many other states have commissions either
created by the constitution or otherwise,
whose duty 1t is to regulate and control rail-
road telegraph and express traffic. Tho
work OF these commissions in many states
seems to be very satisfactory. study Of
the reports of these different commissions Is
quito interesting and secures to one much
valuable information respecting so important
a subject.
! am of the opinion that our board OF
transportation laws should be amended In
some respects so as to give greater powers
and more latitude in the operation of the
board in the enforcement or the law, thereby
assuring a better administration of this inn
portant feature of state government. 1t
would also seem advisable TO give to board
of transportation not only the right to con-
troll railroad traffic, but also that of telegraph
and express companies doing business be-
tween points within the state.
This entire matter is submitted to you with
the hope that. If any changes in our present
law are found to be advisable, the subject
may be leg.slated upon by you so as to bring
about equitable dealings between these sew
eral corporations and their patrons. While
protecting the rights of the individual, every
consideration which wisdom and justice re-
quires should be given to the corporations
whose business is thus sought to be regu-
lated.