Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-04-11

cts who represent those principles
They must run CANDIDATES. .. ...e,r
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, ex-
press companies, sleeping ear 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.
II 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
concerning 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
unreasonable, unjust or discrimina-
ting, and upon such complaint reach
ing the board they are required to
Immediately investigate and II the
complaint is shown to be well-founded
the board shall put into effect such
rates as it deems reasonable and no.
tify the company Of the same.
II the mayor and council or trustee
fails to act, the same action from the
board can be secured by the petition
Of rs residents Of such city or town
ship or either the consignor or con-
signee Of freight may make such COM
plant.
Railroads are forbidden to charge
unreasonable freight rates, to discrim-
mate between different points or be-
tween shippers, or to charge more
for the short haul than the long haul,
or to make secret rates or rebates.
Cars must be furnished on notice,
and for failure to do so actual DANA
ges and 50 per day may be collected
for each days delay.
Railroads are forbidden from pool
ing, rate sharing, dividing earnings
or combining, under penalty of S5,-
900 per month for each month of such
arrangement.
All railroads are required on Sep
TENDER 1st Of each year to make a)full
report of stock, earnings, dividends,
receipts, disbursements, operating ex-
penses, cash value of road, etc, and
the same Is transmitted by the board
to the governor.
It is perjury to swear falsely before
the board.
Any road failing to obey an order
Of the board Is liable to fine of
800 per day for each days refusal,
to be recovered by the attorney gen.
eral for the benefit of the state school
fund. In addition, 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-
greved or 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 ell other cases OK
cept criminal.
It 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 obeycd.
Heretofore the grain inspection de-
partment, one Of the most important |
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.
rcctly into the state treasury and the
that are made for the ex-
penses of the department will have
TO pass the inspection of the audi.
tors office. II places this department
on thorough, business basis.