The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-09
RAILROAD COMMISSION BILL.
Senator Crumbaker Has One Prepared
for Introduction.

TOT INTRODUCTION.
Senator Samuel Crumbaker of Evans
vile, is carrying around in his inside pocket
the draft of bill which, if he adheres to
his present intention and introduces 1t early
in the session, will precipitate a fight in
which the third house" will take an active
part. The bill provides for the creation OF
a state railroad commission to consist of
three men appointed by the Governor, and
requires all railroads operating in Indiana
to make annual reports to the commission
setting forth the names and residences OF
all stockholders, the amount of stock. capt.
tai invested, miles of track, rolling stock.
total amount of business done in freight
tonnage and passenger traffic, value of
property in the State, gross and net earn
ings and amount of dividends declared and
paid. 1t shall also be the duty OF the COM
mission to settle crossing controversies, in
VeStigate condition OF bridges, track, ETC.,
and inquire into wrecks and accidents with
a view of placing the responsibility.
Similar bills have bobbed up at previous
sessions of the Indiana Legislature, but the
railroad lobby has been able to kill them
either before they were introduced or be-
fore hard fight was aroused 1t goes with
out saying that the railroads will oppose
Senator Crumbaker's measure and in fact,
a prominent railroad attorney who was
given a copy expressed Enthusiastically his
dlSapproval or II last night.
The bill provides that the commissioners
shall receive salaries of $1,000. which would
make the places among the most desirable
within the gift of the Governor. The bill
also provides for special tax on railroads
to pay the expenses of the commission.
The most important effect of the bill
would be in the information which 1t would
provide for the State Board of Equalization
In fixing the assessments of the railroads
for taxation, and it would doubtless result
in an increase of these assessments The
bill is modelled after laws existing in other
States but il does not go as far as the New
York law, which provides that the commits
sion In that State shall fix the assessments
of the railroads for taxation purposes.
In discussing the bill last night Senator
Crumbaker said:
81 believe there is a very general senti-
ment that Indiana should have railroad
commission. All the other important States
in the Union have them except Indiana
and that is no small argument in favor OF
and thoroughly investigated and carefully
considered by the Legislature, and IL this
bill is not adopted another along similar
lines may be evolved which will accomplish
much the same purpose. If the bill serves
no other end IL may show where thirty-twc
other States have made mistakes in Great
ing such commissions.
1T have talked TO number of railroad
people about 1t, and, while most of them
are opposed to it. one attorney indicated
that they might not fight bill similar &c
the Ohio law, which creates the office OF
railroad commissioner and gives him as
Sistants and secretaries. His duties are
much the same as those of the commission
which the bill have provides for
81 have not definitely decided whether
shall introduce the bill, but believe now
that / shall"