Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1904-04-21
The RAILROAD COMMISSIONER
MAKES STARTLING
REPORT.
Milwaukee, Northwestern, Omaha
and 500 Roads Fail to Re-
port Si,6o8,O76.
Investigation Covers Only Two Years
FRAUD Cheats the State
Out of $67,923 in
Taxes.

Madison, Wis, April 12.-After
months OF patient work, evidence has
been secured by the state administra-
ton proving conclusively that the
railroads have defrauued the state OF
Wisconsin out of hundreds OF thou
sands Of dollars. which they will be
compelled to make good.
Ample proof has also been secured
that millions Of dollars have been paid
to favored shippers in the form Of re-
bates. 1t is the most startling develop
ment that has marked Governor La
Follettes fight for good government
and equal privileges for all. The com
plete story OF this gigantic robbery IL
SO astounding as to be almost unbe-
lievable-but it is substantiated by an
official report made by Railroad Com
missioner Thomas, which is given in
anonther column. The facts now made
public explain fully why the railroad
forces have made such n bitter and
expensive fight vainly striving to de-
feat Governor LaFollette
Railroad Commissioner Thomas on
Saturday made TO Governor LaFollette
report of the examination which he
is making, in accordance with the act
Of the legislature. OF the books of the
railroads to determine if the sworn
statements which they have filed with
the state are correct and he has found
that during the years of 1907 and 1902
the Chicago and Northwestern. the
Chicago, Milwaukee and st. Paul the
Chicago, Minneapolis and Omaha and
the Minneapolis, st. Paul and Sault
Ste Marie railroads paid to shippers
In Wisconsin over 81 DOS, 600 In rebates
and failed to report other gross ear
ings amounting to more than S40O, 900,
making total of 81 COS, 07G.73 which
they wholly failed to report and upon
which they failed TO pay taxes to the
state of Wisconsin amounting to S67,-
02307. The report in full is as fol
lows:
%
RAILROAD COMMISSIONER.
State of Wisconsin.
JOHN W. THOMAS,
Commissioner.
JOHN NJ, WINTERBOTIIAM,
Deputy and Secretary.
MADISON, April 0, 1904.
To His EAcellency Robert NJ. La
Toilette.
Governor OF Wisconsin.
Dear Sir:
In accordance with your request for
a statement of the results, progress
and all other information in possession
OF this department relating TO the in
yestigation Of the books and reports
of the railroad companies operating
lines in this state for the purpose Of
ascertaining If said companies have
properly reported their gross earnings
for taxation, such investigation having
been provided by chapter 49,. laws OF
1908, ! would respectfully report that
the work has progressed fairly wen,
in consideration Of the great amount
Of labor required TO check over the
books Of the railroad corporations.
whose gross earnings amount to forty
or fiTty million dollars per annum,
as Is the case with several lines Of
railroad doing business in Wisconsin.
Progress and Results.
The Wisconsin Central railway
books have been checked over for 1902
but the work has not been reviewed.
and is therefore not reported The
Chicago and Northwestern railway is
nearly completed for 1901 and 1902;
that part reported is given herein. The
same will apply 10 the Chicago, MI
~aukee and st Paul the Chicago, St
Paul Minneapolis and Omaha and the
Minneapolis, ST. Paul and SAUL SIS