The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-01-02
HERREID'S REPLY
Will Uphold Laws ofState
Regardirg Railroad
Combines.
WILL PROTECT STATE
Will Take All Steps Necessary
to Protect Interests of
the State.
WILL PROTECT STATE

On the 9th of November when the
state railroad commission was in ses-
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 resolution calling upon Attor-
ney General Pyle for an opinion as TO
whether there was any law in this
state against such combination. A let
ter was 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. 16, 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 as 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 letter from
Governor Van SAINT of Minnesota, and
had sent my answer November 29th,
which was given to the newspapers at
St. Paul and which the board has
doubtlessly seen. enclose, however,
copy.
The views expressed in my letter to
Governor Van SAINT are, as 1t 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 is
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
ern Pacific has no line in this state
while the Great Northern, although nat
having an extensive mileage, is in &C.
tive competition with the Chicago, Mil.
waukee & st. Paul, the Chicago &
North 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 part of the Chicago &c North
Western Railway system.
From Governor Van SAINTS letter to
me, l learn that it is his intention to
call at an early day, 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 IL IL my
intention to attend said meeting. Look.
Ing first to the interests of South Da-
kota /, shall endeavor to take such
steps as, in my best judgment under
the advise of the attorney general. will
protect those interests. The initiative
having been taken By Governor Van
Sakt, 1t 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 as 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 by
the public in the state of South Da.
kota The recent very satisfactory ad.
justment, and substantial reduction of
rates, both freight and passenger.
made by the companies. and the fact
that the greater proportion of the
mileage in our state Is operated by
companies having no connection with
the Northern Securities company, is
an assurance that no increase of rates
can be made by reason Of the alleged
combination without our having ample
opportunity for concerted action.
/ desire to express to the board nv
hearty appreciation OF the prompt &C.
ton taken by them, and to assure them
that I shall be glad to have their sup.
port in the course which II may be
deemed necessary for the state to take
for the protection of the public inter
ests. Yours very truly.
Charles N Herreid,
Governor.