The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-01-03
Will Uphold Laws ofState
Regarding Railroad
Combines.
WILL STATE
Will Take All Steps Necessary
to Protect Interests of
the State.

vi Lue Gun u NOVSuuDCF Wucu LIE
state railroad commission was in SEES
sion in this city the matter of the
Northern Securities Company was
brought up and the combination of the
Great Northern and Northern Pacific
roads discussed. Finally the board
passed a resolution calling upon Attor
ney General Pyle for an opinion as to
whether there vas any law in this
state against such combination. A let.
ter al also sent to Governor Charles
N. Herreid in which a copy of the reso'
luton sent to Mr.. Pyle was also en-.
closed. Yesterday afternoons mail
brought to Secretary Stanley OF the
railroad commission the following re-
ply from the governor:
Eureka, S. Oak, Dec. is, 1901.
Hon w. H. Stanley, Secretary State
Board of Railroad Commissioners.
Sioux Falls.
Dear Sir-Your communication OF
the End inst, advising me of the action
taken by the Board of Railroad Com.
missioners in respect to the Railway
combination known az the North
ern Securities Company, reached
Pierre during my absence. have just
returned to Eureka and take the first
opportunity OF answering 1t.
Prior to the adoption of the resolu-
ton, copy Of which is contained in your
letter, l had received a letter from
Governor Van SAINT of Minnesota, and
had sent my answer November 10Th,
which was given to the newspapers at
st. Paul, and which the board has
Dvyhk10cc1 aa0n~ A~1lNr@ hNrrynvyor
q copy.
The views expressed in my letter to
Governor Van SAINT are, as it seems to
me, those which every patriotic citizen
of South Dakota should entertain. The
interests of the state and it's people
should be carefully guarded, and it is
my purpose to take such course as will
be most likely to secure that result. OF
course, our state is much less affected
by the proposed combination than IL
Minnesota where the Great Northern
and the Northern Pacific are. and have
been for years, competing lines parallel
throughout a large portion of their ex
tent, in that state. Our situation, for
tunately, is quite different. The North
r Pacific has no line in this state
while the Great Northern, although not
having an extensive mileage, is in &C
tive competition with the Chicago, Mil
waukee & St. Paul, the Chicago &
North-W Western and to some extent
with the 500 Line. The Burlington has
no mileage except in the Black Hills
country, and is in active competition
in that region with the lines of the
Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley
which is a part of the Chicago & North
Western Railway system.
From Governor Van SAINTS letter te
me, I learn that 1t is his intention tC
call at an early day, a meeting of the
governors of all the states affected by
the proposed control Of the three rail
road companies involved by the North
ern Securities companies, and it is my
intention to attend said meeting. Look
ing lrst to the interests of South Da
kota /, shall endeavor to take such
steps as, In my best judgment undel
the advise of the attorney general, viii
protect those interests. The initiative
having been taken by Governor Var
SAINT, It seems proper that South Da
kota should wait the action of Mime
sofa and the result of the conference
Of governors soon to be held. Nothing
has occurred az yet, and probably moth
ing can occur at least for some time
that will In any respect affect or dis
turb the rates and facilities enjoyed b,
the public In the state of South Da
kota The recent very satisfactory ad
justment, and substantial reduction u
rates, both freight and passenger
made by the companies, and the fac
that the greater proportion Of thu
mileage in our state Is operated b!
companies having no connection will
the Northern Securities company, i,
an assurance that no increase Of rate,
can be made by reason of the allegei
combination without our having ampl,
opportunity for concerted action.
I desire to express to the board n,
hearty appreciation, Of the prompt &C
ton taken by them, and to assure then
that l shall be glad to have their sup
port In the course which 1t may b,
deemed necessary for the state to talk,
for the protection OF the public inter
ests. Yours very truly,
Charles N. Herreid,
Governor.
STOLE THE PAYROLL.
Two Masked Men Get Away Will