The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1902-07-18
IT Is A GOOD Thing
Governors Of States IndOrse
Railway Commission.
Favorable Replies to Questions
Asked by Governor Nc
Bride as to Results.

Governor Mcbride recently WROTE to
governors of various states HAVING
regulative railway commissions. askinS
II the results had been satisfactory. Re'
| plies have been received from Iowa
Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota. Mississinni
Georgia, New Hampshire and Missonr;
Inc responses OF the governors to the
following questions asked by Governor
Mcbride are appended:
HAS the work of the commission IN
complsned good results on the whole?"
loWa-ln my opinion, the results have
been very satisfactory.
lllinois-Good results have come from,
the work of the commission.
hansas-The work OF the commission
has accomplished good results on the
whole.
Minnesota-The commission has been
OF untold benefit to the people OF this
state.
Mississippi-Yes.
Georgia-The work of the railroad
commission has been eminently satis-
factory to the people of the state. II
has been successful in preventing extOr-
tion and unjust discrimination, and the
railroads have prospered more than
they did before the commission was
established
New ampshire-Yes.
MissOuri-Yes.
The letters from all of the above states
agree in saying that the commission
has served to reduce and to euualize
rates. All OF the letters also agree in
saying that the commissions have served
TO lessen or to do away with unjust dis
ordinations and to correct other
abuses, Tor the reason that it places the
Individual in the position of being able
to invoke the entire power of the state
Tor the redress OF his just grievances: or.
as stated in the answer from Missouri
ut places the people of the state in a
position where they can obtain almost
Immediate relief, thus avoiding long,
tedious litigation"
In answer to the question. "Has tbe
establishment OF railroad commission
interiered in any way with the develop
ment OF your state?" the answers are
substantially as follows:
Iowa. do not think it has. On the
contrary, [ believe it has facilitated the
development of the state.
Illlnois-The establishment OF the rail
road commission has not in any Wav in
terfered with the development of the
state. Since it's establishment the rail
way mileage has increased from 5349
miles to 12,603 miles.
Kansas - The establishment of the
railroad commission has not interfered
with the development of the state. but.
on the other hand, think, has assisted
in it's development.
Minnesota-The establishment OF the
railroad commission has not in any yay
lnterfered with the development OF the
state.
Mississippi-No.
Georgia-The establishment of a rail
road commission has in no way inter
Tered with or restricted the DEVELOPMENT
OF the state. The increase in mileage
since it's establishment he's been about
20 per cent. The commission in this
state has done vast amount OF good.
and both the people and the roads are
entirely satisfied with it's operations.
New Hampshire-NO, has helped.
Missouri-No.
All OF the above states have repula-
tive commissions and the letters received
all agree in stating that the effect of the
commission has been to bring about a
better feeling between the railroads and
the people.