The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-05
REPLY TO VAN SAINT
TEXT OF COMMUNICATIONS FROM
.. -FOUR OF THE GOVERNORS
& WRITTEN TO
GREER IS NOT ENTHUSIASTIC
oregon's Executive Not Quite sure
That Consolidation of Roads Ia
Against Interests of
the People.

The communications which have thus
far been received by Gov. Van SAINT, in
response to his letters to the governors
of other Western states on the subject Of
the railroad merger were yesterday made
public Some of these h G o e has
already printed. Gov. T. T. Greer, of
Oregon, discusses the situation in that
state fully. The complete text of his let
ter is as follows:
Hon. S. R. Van SAINT, Governor of
Minnesota, st. Paul, Minn.-Dear Sir:
The tendency toward the consolidation of
railway companies and the combination
of capital in all other directions, is one
of the features of the times, and whether
it is an impending danger to the best Inc
terests of the people is really yet TO De
seen 1t may not be. In Oregon we
have no law on the subject whatever.
We even have no railroad commission,
nor any substitute for one. we nave
no law relating to freight rates rail-
road company may charge, nor any
means of redress if their charges should
be excessive We have a state law
limiting passenger rates to four cents
per mile, but the o. r. & N. and the N.
p. r. r. last year voluntarily reduced
their rates to three cents. The fact is,
the two principal railroad companies IN
our state, the Oregon Railway & Naviga-
ton and the Southern Pacific, are really
making comendable efforts toward the
ries, and have become positive help to.
our people in that way. Our people seem
very we'll satisfied with the present con-
dition, for although in two successive
messages to the legislature have called
the attention of that body to the anoma-
1ous condition existing, as to the control
of our railroads, no Serious effort has
been made to change 1T, and think no
newspaper in this state has ever made
any special complaint as to this unusual
condition of affairs. With the exception
of a few instances, where unjust discrim-
nations in the matter OF freight rates
Rave been reported, the railroad situation
in Oregon seems to be very satisfactory.
Unless the consolidation of railway
companies should be followed by increas-
ing freight or passenger rates, 1t would
be difficult to see where the objection
would lie. If this result should follow, 1t
is a matter within the power of the state
legislatures to control. 1t may prove
an easier matter to regulate rates than
to prevent the consolidation.
However, you are to be commenced on
your effort to enforce the law Of your
state on this question, and in any contest
nyolving the interests of the people on
the one hand and those OF combined
capital on the other, the people, being
their remedy in their own hands. If the
consolidation to which you refer is con-
trary to your state law, then it should
be prevented if possible. No question
in this country, either present of flu
ture is paramount to the one preserving
unquestioned the best interests Of those
who are known as the common people,
and the first duty of public servants
is to guard them jealousy whenever
the danger may come within their juris-
diction.
L should certainly favor holding such
a conference as you suggest, but could
not attend it unless held on this coast,
which would, perhaps, not be feasible.
Very respectfully yours
or