The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-19

rate inquiry we would respectfully call
attention TO a defect in the law as It now
stands.
If the commissioners were authorized
TO consider the whole railroad system of
the state, as a unit, and to place their
order upon broader basis, their useful
ness would be greatly augmented. AS
the statute now stands, it is open to
question whether the commissioners can
take that comprehensive view of a case
coming before them which the urgent
needs Of our commercial interests re-
qu1re, and whether they are not con-
fined, in making an order, to the narrow
range of experience and the lack of d.
VerSity in conditions which may happen
TO affect the road to which the order, in
each particular case, is directed With
the law In its present condition an order
within statutory limits which would be
OF material benefit to the mercantile
classes might prove ruinous to some rail-
road properties. Were the statute so
amended as to permit the commissioners
TO take notice Of those general conditions
which do not directly effect most lines,
while they may indirectly effect all, they
would be in a much better position to
compel fair treatment of all shippers
than thew are now. Sound public motley
demands that this power should be grant
ed through such laws as the legislature
may deem best suited to accomplish the
purpose sought.
This commission is not sure that its
whole duty, under the statute. has been
exercised with regard to reports when il
imperfect the enforcement of the present
system of railroad regulation.
If, in their opinion, the system itself is
one based upon wrong principles, and by
reason thereof is incompetent to carry
out its full purpose-the insuring of fair
and just treatment of all shippers-they
cannot convince themselves that they
would be doing their full duty to the peO-
pie of the state, whose servants they are
did they, by their silence, lead these to
believe that the system itself is good and
that minor details alone need legislative
attenuon q
FAVORS PUBLIC OWNERSHIP.
This is the situation that confronts
this commission. Their every effort to
gain for the people of the state the right
of equal participation in the benefits to
be derived from those public or quasi
public enterprises which come under their
jurisdiction have brought them to a full
er realization of the futility of attempt
ing to harmonic private property rights
IN public utilities with the rights of the
public to adequate, equal and reasonable
use of those utilities. If property rights
are to be the dominant force bahind
them, the public interests must suffer
Upon the other hand. 1t be conceded that
their first duties are to the public pri-
Vate property interests must be sub0r-
dinated. The commission sees no escape
from this conclusion They are conVinc-
ed, therefore, that the only remedy for
those Determinations, from which the va
riOus business interests suffer, that viii
same time that it will not prove burden
some to private property interests, IS
public ownership and operation of rail-
roads. Whether this end should be sought
within the limits and jurisdiction OF the
state is question for future eonsidera-
ton, resting largely upon the action TAX
en- by our federal authorities.
II the way opens TO federal control, than
the state might escape the duty of I'M
dertaking the enterprise for itself On
the other hand, If, as seems obvious, fed
enter into immediate calculations, the
question arises as to not only the pow
ers, legal and practical of the state, to
engage in this public business on its own
account, but also, of its duty to the va
ried interests Of its citizens.
1t may not be out of place herein
deed, we believe it entirely appropriate
to call attention to the exceptionally IA
vorable situation of this state to meet
the necessities of the case. On our east
ern boundary we touch a great natural
Waterway-the great lakes.whleh now IS
only one step removed from a world
highway. That it will assume the latter
character IN the comparatively near fu-
ture there is ample cause to expect
When that day cOmeS-H not at the pres
ent moment-the state of Minnesota will
be in a position, if its interests are en-
trusted to the care of wise and enfigilt-
ened citizens, to solve the tranSporta-
ton question for itself, without waiting
for the slow and cumbersome machinery
of our federal government to come to its
aid. That the people of this state will be
called upon at no very distant day to
meet the question of transportation, on a
broader and more comprehensive field
than that which now obtains, this COM
mission has not the slightest doubt In
order that they may have the benefit of
such slight observations and experience
as this commission has had the fortune
in the prosecution of their official duties
to make and acquire, these suggestions
are made. If, when the necessity for
more comprehensive and adequate 1egis-
lation becomes imperative, they should
contribute even remotely to a successful
solution of this much vexed question, the
members of this commission will feel
highly gratfed.