Willmar tribune., 1899-10-18

ITO be continued.
RAYMOND, Mimi. Oct 8, 1899.
Editor Republican G azette:-
Ina recent issue ] discussed the
governors veto Of the insane hospi-
tai bill appropriation, of $4,000,
which my friend Lawson in the edi-
torial columns of the Tribune de-
nounced as "steal."
With this issue I will take up Mr..
Lawson's reply to my query: "Why
was the governor silent in bis mes.
sage on the important subject of
freight reduction?'
Mr.. Lawson replies that the rail-
road and warehouse commission
have the power to reduce rates, etc.
In this MIR. Lawson is technically
correct. That power was given
them in the law of 1867. But, may
well inquire, OF what benefit has this
been to the people? Let Reform
Lawson, or any other sponsor for
the commission point out one single
reduction OF general app1ica ton
that came about through All order
OF the commission! Show me one,
Mr.. Lawson, if you can!
All the commission has been able
to accomplish in twelve years is to
adjudicate few tritling cases OF
discrimination in rates; the opening
of a few closed stations, and to draw
their salary. 1t is true they have at
tempted to enforce the act of 1887 in
a general way, but what has been
the result? Nothing, absolutely
nothing!
In 1894 Mr.. Elias Steenerson, Of
Crookston, and several Others lodg-
ed with the commission a complaint
: and petition, complaining of exorbi-
tant grain rates and petitioning for
a reduction. of 33h per cent. This
move on the part of Mr.. Steenerson
had the unqualified approval OF
every grain raiser and nearly every
business man in the State outside OF
the twin cities. 1t was to he the
grand test OF popular control versus
corporate manopoly. 1t was to be
the one great effort to make these
all-powerful corporations amenable
to the statute for their control and
regulation.
It wac to be the final struggle be-
tween the real masters and the
would-be masters of the people. The
:" outcome of this case was to be q
criterion for future action. 1t was
carefully planned and ably commenc-
ed and developed. Mr.. Steenerson
had the assistance of his brother in
a professional way. The complaint
was comprehensive and thorough.
The commission after @ good deal OF
deliberation finally in part granted
the petition, namely they established
new grain rate schedules affecting a
reduction OF about Is per cent.
Instead OF 33H they made it Is.
! They were conservative to say the
least. But how about the railroads!
Here is where they struck snag.
They treated the whole proceeding,
before the commission with con-
tempt, they simply ignored the COM
plant and petition of the Red River
Valley grangers, and when the com
mission attempted to enforce it's or
der they took the matter into the
Ramsey county district court, intro
duced a. lot of railrOad-expert testi-
mony, and asa result the court de-
clared the order Of the commission
''unreasonable."
Mark the course Of the companies,
dear reader! They let the commits
sion, that body charged by law with
the regulation of these matters, reg
= ulate; that Il 6n paper, but juet us
l. soon as q move is made to render ef-
fective such regulation, then the pro-
lection of the court is invoked. And
what court?. Did the railroads ap.
peal to hedfstrict court Of the coun.
ty where the complaintslodged, viz:
!. Polk county? Oh, no! They knew
better 2sThey took the case to d
court 800 miles from the base OF the
complaint; they knew how difficult
aud expensiyesit, would be for Mr..
Steenerreon, and liis co-petitioncrs to
follow them. :.: .''.> <.:- n. q.
Mark, dear reader, the strategic
ingenuity oisthe orporattons in this
move! I suppose If they could they
would have had the case tried in
Alaska, They took II Just as far
from its origina tton as they possibly
could. TWAS 9 sweil-ma atured and
wen carried out plan to frustrate the
;saorts 81, d of tie pstit right e the the