The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-01-11

in their state platforms pledged them
selves to secure the enactment OF a
railroad commission bill. According
to advices from Helena, legislation Of
any kind upon this subject will be OPP
posed by the railroad interests, which
are said to be maintaining an expen-
sive lobby at the state capitol to pre-
vent the enactment of a law which
would secure fair and reasonable
transportation charges in this state.
1t is believed, however, that members
of the Legislature propose to redeem
their party platform pledges in this
connection, and will pass a railroad
commission bill. a measure of this
kind, which was introduced during
the first week of the session, is to this
effect:
1t provides for a board OF three
members, one of the commissioners to
be appointed as chairman, and one OF
the members to act as clerk. They
are to be appointed by the governor,
and their terms are to te four years.
The alton of the chairman is
fixed at 81, 500 a year that of the clerk
at So, 200 and the third member is to
receive So, 900. The board is allowed
$1,000 annually for stenographers, ex-
perts and accountants.
The members and employees are to
have free transportation over the
roads, and the expenses of the board
and the salaries are to be paid by the
railroad companies. The Office of the
board is to be at Helena.
No member may be interested in
any railroad nor shall he receive any
benefit, direct or indirect, from any
railroad while he acts as commission
err.
The commissioners are to have gen.
eral supervision of the railroads OPP.
Grating in the state, and are to exam.
inc each line of railroad at least once
a year. They shall also investigate
all accidents on the railroads result.
ing in loss of life.
The board is given the right t fix
rates for the transportation of freight
or passengers, upon the petition of
any n interested.
Discrimination in rates is declared
to be unlawful, and in addition to the
damages that may be collected by the
injured party, a fine of $1,000 is pro.
vided.
The commissioners are t % recon-
mend, when they believe it necess airy,
that the road should make repairs,
add to the rolling stock, build new
stations or repair old ones. and they
are to insert their recommendations
made in their annual report.
When the railroads refuse to com.
ply with the laws of the state, or re-
fuse to obey the orders of the commits.
sion, the attorney general is directed
to institute proceedings.
The mayor and aldermen of an,
city, or the commissioners of any
county, or 20 or more taxpayers ma,
make complaint to the commission
that a railroad is not operated &C
cording to law, and the commission i.
authorized to appoint u time ant
place for hearing the complaints
The board is directed to give motto.
of its decision to the parties in inter
est, and include the proceedings in it,
annual report. The railroads are re
quired to exhibit to the commissio.
their books, accounts and papers, ant
furnish any information requested il
regard to the management and opera
ton of the road.
Railroads that refuse to compl,
with the provision are subjected to
fine of $500, and the attorney genera
is authorized to bring suit for its col
lection.
The commission is to make annua
reports to the governor on or befor
December l..