The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-03
RATE LEGISLATION
IS DEMANDED
CANNON FALLS MEETING ADOPTS
STRONG RESOLUTIONS.
Governor Van SAINT States the Case in
Behalf Of the Cooper Bill Declares
He Is Not a Candidate for Any Of
fee, but Will Work for Reforms-Has
Faith In Presidents Stand.

He Is Not a. Candidate for ANY Of
fee, but Will Work for Reforms-Has
Faith in Presidents Stand.
Special to The Journal.
Cannon Falls, MINI, Dec. Govern
meeting here last night, sounded the
Keynote Of a new campaign. There was
abundant evidence that his declaration
that senators and representatives in
congress must be guided by the interests
OF the people, rather than by the de-
mands Of railroad magnates touched a
popular chord.
The meeting was presided over by Z.
a. Rosing, president Of the club. 9 Most
great prospects, said he, have small
beginnings. It has fallen to the village
OF Cannon Fails, Ito inaugurate in this
state the agitation for state and ma
tlonalS control Of railroad rates. We
TO some extent by selfish congidera-
lions, but we were made to feel that
we were being Disseminated against BY
the railroads and that terminal points
were given advantages which were de-
MED u.s., and but slight investigation
was needed to prove that what was true
village in Minnesota
MT. Rosing then went on to give an
account of the steps which were taken
which resulted, in response to call is
sued by him, in the formation Of the
Minnesota Municipal and Commercial
league, whose principal object was to
t tax up the question Of freight rates
would compel the enforcement e9af Of fn the
statutes with regard to them -
-, One Of the first men approached
after the league was formed,o said Mr..
Rosing, twas Governor Van SAINT, and
when! he was asked to cooperate with
the league, he replied, OF course I
purposes of the league, and If 1 can do
anything to promote them will be only
too glad to do so.' The prime object
OF the league is to secure a firmer and
more aggressive control of rates within
the state, and it has already been sue
cessful IN securing a reduction Of ten
per cent on fuel and fifteen per cent on
lumber. Much remains to be done.''
Mr.. Rosing detailed the grievance of
Cannon Falls in the matter Of grain
rates, and told the history of the action
brought before the interstate commerce
commission. which is still lin progress
after two years, and with no Immediate
prospect OF coming to trial.
- What we want now,'' he said. els to
have laws passed by both state and fed
eral legislatures giving to the inter-
state commerce commission and the
state commission the power not
only. to fix rates, but also providing
that the rate 50 fixed after inquiry and
due consideration shall be the rate in
force pending the action of the courts. -
Tells Of Bill That Failed.
At the conclusion of his remarks Mr..
n
the Canon Falls Beacon, and then F. M.
Currier of Mankato, who as a member
ofs$the legislature fifteen years ago,
fought in vain for measure patterned
after Iowa's railroad rate laws. S. He
declared that Wholesaling was Tan
profitable in tie smallery towns, because
of rate discrimination in favor Of the
large centers. - ~
Dr.. j.. a. Gates Of Kenyon, the rep
next. He was followed by Governor
Van SAINT, rwhose speech made a fine
impression. .@2
In opening his address the governor
said:
7 Action Taken Four Years Ago.
AS I: understand it, the object of THU
meeting is to arouse public sentiment II
favor of a proposed bill now before a
committee Of congress to give Increased
power to the interstate commerce COM
mission.
I am in hearty sympathy with you. This
! is no sudden impulse on my part. adj
vocated this proposition for years. At the
conference Of governors at Helena, Mont
1 in 1901, after agreeing to stand unitedly
against the merger of the Great Northern
and Northern Pacific, we passed this reso-
luton, fully realizing the necessity 70,
| further legislation, even if the merger
were dissolved. Here is what was said and
| unanimously agreed to:
| THAT power should be granted to the
| interstate commerce commission to fl
| maximum rates upon Interstate traffi,
and to regulate the same.'' ;
It was also ordered that a copy Of thi.
with the other resolutions passed be for
warded to the senators and representa-
! tives in congress from the states repre-
sented at the conference.
( 1t will be thus seen that, so far as
am concerned, my present attitude is n,
innovation. At least am consistent will
Imy past record in advocating this meas
! ure. ... .-.a .... .@-> ss
At this time I want to make a state
ment personal to myself, and 1 do tl1i
because Of certain criticisms in the pub
lie press that I am here to advance m,
| -
phatically to deny this. am not candi
Edate for any office, elective or appointive
I am here solely to advance a cause ii
which I am deeply interested. I woul,
rather see this measure enacted and 9th
ers passed by congress to correct tn
evils of transportation than to have an,
| office.
Rates Are Unreasonable.
4 The governor declared that he wa
4 not hostile to railroads, and that thei
/ treatment in the matter of land grant
showed a liberal spirit Of the peopl
4 toward such corporations. They mus
not forget, however, that they ar
creatures Of the state and owe the pub
lie duty. Over capitalization require
1 the public to pay dividends, not on til
investment, but on watered STOCK
Such rates are exorbitant and unjust.
4 Governor Van SAINT quoted from
recent interview given out by O.. (
Wyman Of Minneapolis, in which Il
said that rates to the Pacific coast we1
as high from Minneapolis as from N e
York. In comment the governor said
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