The Iola register., 1901-02-22
THE NEW RAILROAD LAW.

ton, has been prepared and agreed TO
by practically every Republican mem
Der of the Senate and House. and it is
so reasonably certain of passage as 1t
is now drawn, that II is fair to con-
slider 1t as law.
The manner in which this
,, o" bill was prepared is in
WINS "'uo such striking contrast 10
the star chamber methods that marked
the preliminary steps in the Court or
Visitation bill that it is worth con-
sidering. 1t will be remembered that
when the Court of Visitation bill was
tncubating, no one knew anything
about until it was brought into the Pop
caucus ready made. 1t was rushed
through the caucus under whip and
spur, without amendment or debate,
and put through both houses in the
same way The authorship of the bill
was yariously ascribed at the time to
David Overmeyer. 10. G. Little, David
Martin and Attorney General Boyle,
but each Of thcee gentlemen fastened
TO deny any part on lot in it. Perhaps
when Bailie Waggcner is on his death
bed we may learn who wrote it, but
until that time its parentage remains
unknown. Bastard in its makeup as
well as parentage. it remains a found
ling whom no one will acknowledge.
The present railroad bill is a Repub-
lican measure and was framed in this
way. The two railroad committees of
the Senate and House, composed of
some of the ablest members of both
branches, and representing all political
parties, first met in joint session. They
| considered the three or four railroad
bills that had been introduced. They
listened to everyone who desired to be
heard, farmers, cattle shippers, millers,
grain men, lumber men, coal men,
railroad attorneys and freight agents,
in short all classes who are interested
in transportation. For days and weeks
the hearings were had, open to every
| one. Then the various bills, the rail-
road commissioner law, and the Sim
liar laws of other states were carefully
analyzed and discussed in the light of
the hearings already had. Opinions
were interchanged and gradually the
sentiments and views of the full COM
mittees crystallized into shape. Then
a subcommittee from both houses was
| appointed who prepared a bill in the
| light of all that had been gathered
from all sources. Then this bill was
submitted to the full committees meet
! ing Jointly. 1t was again considered
line by line. Changes We're made and
then a Republican caucus was called,
attended by every Republican senator,
and 81 out of SO members of the
House. and the completed bill was sub
mitted to this caucus. Here 1t was
again read and discussed line by line,
and a few important amendments
made and so 1t stands as a Republican
bill.
No legislative measure in Kansas
was ever so carefully, openly and pub
licly considered and formulated as this
bill, and it stands to-day the strongest
railroad law ever adopted by any state
in the Union.
The bill is too long to re-
me nni produce in full. 1t con-
In Detail sists of forty sections,
and briefly analyzed 1t provides for a
Board of Railroad Commissioners,
consisting of three members, one OF
whom must be of the minority party,
chosen by the executive council on
April 1. 1901; one for che year. one for
two years and one for three years and
every year thereafter one member is
chosen for : term of three years. The
members receive 81, 500 per annum and
select secretary at 81 500 and a stem
ographer at $1,000. This cuts off one
clerk from the old law and makes II
cheaper in cost than any other COM
mission in the country. The board is
given general supervisory powers over
all railroad lines, express companies
sleeping car companies and common
carriers. 1t has power to subpoena
and examine witnesses, administer
oaths and compel the production OF
books and papers, ar a refusal tc
appear before it and testify or produce
books and papers is made a misde-
meanor.
1t may order additions tC
"iue row rolling stock and equip
erS "r"h'e" ment of railroads, ad
ditions or changes in station houses
change or reduction in rates and such
general changes in the manner of oper-
ating or conducting the railroads oI
the state as may be shown to be to the
public interest. 1t may provide fol
owning or leasing of cars by shipper.
with regulations for loading, hauling
and returning same and charges fol
both, as well as for loading by com
pany on return haul. 1t may ordel
connecting switches and tracks be
tween crossing or parallel lines ant
| POPULATIONS thereof, OTueT COnSlFuC
tion of new depots, switches and sid
tracks to accommodate traffic. 1t hal
full control over questions concerning
crossings of one road over another ant
complete and absolute power to su
pervise and reduce rates of transpor
tation.
Any person desiring to d,
s"iteh so may condemn land 70
friNheges a switch, build the sam
and connect it with the tracks of tn
railroad company except that betweel
stations on the main line; It's cal
only be done with the consent of tn
company. This latter restriction is O
course for the general protection o
, the travelling public. In order that tn
Board may be cdvised of complaints /
is provided that the mayor and council
of any city, or the trustee of any town
ship may make complaint that tn
rates for freight to such city or town
= ship are unreasonable, unjust or dis
eliminating, and upon such complain
: the Board shall Immediately investI
gate such complaint, and if shown t