The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-03

cit will be seen that any basis used
is largely arbitrary and no two com
ing the cost"
The commission concluded that the
questions at issue can best be determined
by making a thorough and exhaustive ex-
animation of rates and conditions now
existing in the, several states of the
Union and making a comparison with
those existing in this state"
We herewith submit statements mark
ed a. b &C. ~ and 'F,,' resnecf
lively. Statement a shows the i poP9ia-
ton, area, railway mileage. population per
square mile and population Der railroad
mile in the various states, from which
It VIII be noticed that Minnesota is very
low down on the list as compared with
otner states. which appears to the com
mission to be an important factor in de-
termlning this question"
Statement b shows the number OF
passengers carried one mile, the pasSen-
ger earnings and the earnings per pass
enger per mile on some of the large rail-
neSota, compared with smaller data, on the
whole lines of railroads operating in this
state. This statement shows that the
average passenger earnings on the for
elgn roads We're 1904 cents per mile as
against LIB cents per mile on the rail
ROAD systems running through Minnesota,
which shows an increase of S9100 mills
(2.89) in the Minnesota roads, which is
comparatively trifling, taking into con-
sideration the volume Of the business
done by the foreign roads as compared
running through Minnesota; reductions
OBTAINED by the commission during the
past year will have the effect of reducing
the average rate for the future"
Statement &C. shows the number of
passengers carried one mile the pas
senger earnings and the average receipts
per passenger per mile on six of the large
falIroad systems outside of the state of
Minnesota, as compared with six of the
large systems in Minnesota, the figures
DelnS taken from statement marked e..
hn ,f,,sr.
earnings per passenger per mile on the
foreign roads to be 2.012 cents as against
2l9l cents on the Minnesota roads, which
shows an increase of only l. 70 mills in the
Minnesota roads, which seems to be con-
elusive that the passenger rates in Min
nesota are not high when compared with
other systems. density of population and
volume of business considered.
Statement d shows the maximum
passenger rates per mile prescribed by
those made by railroad companies and
approved by railroad commissioners an
examination of which will show that only
In one or two cases are the prescribed
rates less than cents per mile. and in
those cases only applies to certain Sys-
TENS and not to states. but the actual
earnings as shown on statement e show
the actual earnings to be much less.
Statement e shows the actual pas
senger rates used by the various railroads
doing business outside of the state of
Minnesota which has been secured nv
the commission from the general passen-
ger agents of the respective companies;
competition together with the density of
the population. coupled with the volume
of traffic has no doubt been the govern
ing FACTOR resulting in these companies
carrying passengers at a less rate than
that prescribed by law.
by comparing the statements herewith
submitted to your honorable body, talk
ing into consideration the density of the
population. the earning capacity of each
road, coupled with the enormous volume
of passenger traffic in the Eastern and
other states as compared with the West
ern states through which Minnesota rail
roads run, the costly equipment which
competitive conditions have brought about
in our state. the still further demands
for better passenger service in outlying
districts, the reduced rates by means of
mileage books and interchangeable mile
age. excursion rates and communication
tickets for suburban traffic, which our
people enjoy. the rates for which are
21s cents and under, the commission is
of the opinion that the maximum rate
of 3 cents per passenger per mile is not
unreasonable when compared with rates
prevailing in other states. and do not at
the present time recommend any further
reduction from the maximum rate at
present charged by the respective COM
panles doing business in this state
Since the passage of the resolution in
question the commission has succeeded
in obtaining reduction in the passenger
on all lines charging a higher rate ex-
Gept in the case of the Minnesota &c In
ternational railway and have ordered a
reduction on that line to a maximum rate
of cents per mile, the order at the pres
ent time is In litigation, having been ap-
pealed from by the railway company.
:'Second-claSS passenger rates are in
the opinion of the commission not feast
bic or desirable, nor is there any public
demand for the same in the state of Min
nesota. All of which is respectfully sub
mitted."
Ira B. Mills,
j. G.. Miller.
C. F. Staples.