Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-08-10
A RAILROAD COMMISSION.

A RAILROAD COMMISSION.
1t is more than likely that
the platforms of all the par.
ties holding conventions in Montana
this year will contain a plank favor
ing the appointment or election of a
railroad commission. While we
have no sympathy with anything that
smacks of populistic legislation or
hatred toward railroads there seems
to be a growing need of a railroad
commission in this state. While it
would have no control over interstate
business it could take a hand in regu-
lating rates and preventing extortion
within the limits of Montana. It would
be in a position to retaliate against
the continental lines. which have
branches or feeders in the state when
they become arrogant or dictatorial
as regards rates and the routing of
shipments of live stock. AS it is now
a shipper has no voice or redress
but must stand and take his medi-
cine. 1t is only a few days since that
a delegation of western cattlemen Wis
tied st. Paul to interview the officers
of the Northern Pacific and Great
Northern relative to changes in freight
rates and regulations in force per-
tanning to the hauling of cattle from
the range country of Montana and
the Dakotas.
A dispatch relative to this confer
ence says:
The railroad officers refused to
discuss the matter al present, and
the cattlemen said the changes which
they had urged had been taken under
~advisement by the companies. They
stated. however, that the companies
had conceded to the shippers the
right to route the shipments from the
original shipping point to Chicago.
For some time past it has been the
rule of the companies to accept ship
ments at original points of shipment
without routing, and when they
reached st. Paul to forward them on
such lines as they preferred. Under
this rule the Great Northern and Nor
thern Pacific naturally routed most
of the shipments owe the Burlington
road from ST. Paul to Chicago. I'm
der the new agreement the shippers
will be allowed to designate the road
over which they will snip the ship
ment to go from st. Paul. II is prob
able that the request of cattlemen fol
the abrogation of agreement between
the Chicago.St. Paul roads, whereby
all stock trains are prohibited from
making the trip between the two cit
les in less than "a hours, will be
granted.
1.-The cattlemen have appealed to
the interstate commerce commission
for relief from unjust regulations o.
the railroads. and a hearing had beer
set for some time in September In
Denver. II satisfactory arrangements
can be made with Great Northern
and Northern Pacific roads as a result
of the conference today, these roads
will not be requested to appear a
the hearing in Denver"
II will be seen that the railroad
companies have %arrogated to them
selves privileges which kaye operat
ed as a detriment to live stock ship
pers and it is highly probable tina
they would still ignore the appeal o
the agrieyed If the latter did not have
some show of redress through thu
Interstate commerce commission
Hardly a year passes that the live
stock interests of the west do no
, have some just grievance against TIL
railroads. and which occasions NJ
r.
small amount of trouble and expens,
10 have the same adjusted.
Aside from the wholesome infu
encc and benefit to De derived b,
4 regulating traffic within the state,
Q railroad commission composed of hor
q orable men, free from fanaticism an,
Q malice, could do much to ecure cor
cessions from the continental line
q and relieve those who must nov
spend their own time and means ii
securing justice for the interests the,
represent.
We have no time for those peopi