Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1901-04-20

own or go out of business.
The most important measure of
the session was the railroad bill. 1t
is the most stringent ever enacted by
any state Among its provisions are
the following.
A board of commissioners consist
ing of three members is established,
no more than two of whom shall be-
long to one political party.
This board is given general super
visory power over the railroads,
press companies, sleeping car com
panies and common carriers.
1t has power to subpoena and exam
inc witnesses, administer oaths and
compel the production of books and
papers. A refusal to appear and tes-
tify or to produce books and papers
is misdemeanor-
The board may order additions to
rolling stock, additions or changes in
station houses, changes or reductions
in rates and such general changes in
the manner of operation or conduct
of the railroads of the state as may
be shown to be of public interest.
1t may order connecting switches or
tracks between crossing or parallel
lines and regulate the same, order con-
struction of new stations, switches
and side tracks to accommodate traf
fic.
1t has full control over questions
concerping the crossing of one road
over another 1t has absolute power
to supervise and reduce rates of trans
portation.
The mayor and council of any city,
or the trustee of any township may
make complaint that freight rates are
II hi Ing
ting, and upon such complaint reach
ing the board they are required to
Immediately investigate and if the
complaint is shown to be vell-founded
the board shall put into effect such
rates it deems reasonable and no
tify the company of the same
If the mayor and council or trustee
fails to act. the same action from the
board can be secured by the petition
of 25 residents of such city or town
ship, either the consigno or con-
signee of freight may make such COM
plant
Railroads are forbidden to charge
unrea sonable freight rates, to discrim-
mate between different points or be-
tween shippers, to charge more
for the short haul than the long haul,
or to make secret rates or reba tes.
Cars must be furnished on notice,
and for failure to do so actual DANA
ges and 81 per day may be collected
for each days delay
Railroads are forbidden from pool
ing, rate sharing. dividing earnings
combining, under a penalty of So
900 per month for each month of such
arrangement.
All railroads are required on Sep
FL
report of stock, earnings, dividends.
receipts, disbursements, operating eN-
penses. cash value of road, etc, and
the same is transmitted by the board
to the governor.
1t is perjury to swear falsely before
the board.
Any road failing to obey an order
of the board is liable to a fine of
500 per day for each days refusal,
to be recovered by the attorney gem
eral for the benefit of the state school
fund. In addition. a penalty of from
500 to $4,000 may be recovered in any
county by the county attorney. And
in addition to this the individual ag-
grieved injured by failure of a road
| to obey an order of the board, may
recover treble the amount of his dam
ages and reasonable attorneys fees.
In addition to all these penalties the
board may order the attorney general
to bring mandamus action in the
| name of the state to compel the rail
| roads to obey the boards order, and
such suits have precedence in the SUI
preme court over all other cases ex-
| cept criminal.
1t is the strongest railroad law ever
| enacted. No other commission in Kan
sas ever had such power. The lack
| of power to enforce has made pre-
| vious commissions weak. Its pres
ence in this law adds to its great force.
| Hereafter. when the board makes a
| ruling it will be obeyed.
Heretofore the grain inspection de-
| partment, one of the most important
| departments of Kansas state govern
ment. has been conducted without
| check or supervision. Inspection fees
have been collected and the same util-
| lied in the payment of the expenses
| of the department. There has been
no check or supervision whatever.
| This Legislature passed law placing
| the business affairs of this depart
ment under the state auditor. and
| hereafter all the fees will be paid di-
rectly into the state treasury and the
payments that are made for the ex-
penses of the department will have
to pass the inspection of the audi
| tors Office 1t places this department
on thorough, business basis.
The demand that train men should
have the right to cast their ballots
where they might be on election day
lou