Morris tribune., 1905-04-15
Editorial Correspondence
St. Paul, April II, 1905.

Today was field day in both the Houses
and the Senate so far railroad measures We're
concerned. [ mentioned last week the report
of the special committee appointed to investi-
gate freight rates had agreed on four bills and
two Joint resolutions which they recommend
for passage. These bills take long steps in the
direction of the regulation of railroad rates, and
the surprising thing is that. they passed
as easily and quickly as they were The bills
are so important that they deserve discussion
in detail
II f. No. S67 bill for an act autho rizing
the state Railroad and Warehouse Commission
TO appear and prosecute proceedings before the
United States Commerce Commission. This
nsn authorizes the commission to take up the
complaints in interstate commerce cases and
prosecute them before the Interstate Commits
sion. There is no doubt this is a proper step
and means of aiding our citizens to have their
grievances properly presented and tried, which
is impossible at present for the ordinary ship
per
H. F. No. 1858, bill for an act giving to the
Railroad and Warehouse Commission jursdic-
sion over freight rates and classifcations and
power to inspect books of all carriers
of this state. This bill is aimed especially at
what are termed "n1idnight tariffs" that is
rate which the legal is in fact discrimination
in favor of some particular shipper For in
stance, shipper with large consignment of
some com modify to ship, goes to the railroad
company and gets especially favorable rate
FOR few days. This rate is legally published,
but before it can really be taken advantage of
by other shippers it is withdrawn, and the old
higher rate re-established. This bill declares
that where company has once put in a rate
rale or classification it must be deemed just and
reasonable until changed by consent OF the
Commission its order
The main features of this bill are the same
as those of the Stone bill of two years ago, which
died in the Senate. This year the Stone bill
was introduced by Senator Thorpe, of Wllmar,
and altho it passed that body, vet the very
essence of the bill was taken away by some
small amendments inserted into it by the rail
road committee Of the Senate
Fl. T. No. $3.50, bill for an act providing a
penalty for giving a rebate, other favor by
any common carrier for the transportation of
freight and penalty for any person receiving
the same. The special feature of this bill is the
provision which makes it nisdemeanor to re
ceive rebate. The fact is that the shipper is
often more to blame than the company; in many
cases the company is practically "held up by
The large shipper.
H. f. No. $780, bill for act relating to
orders made by the Railroad and Warehouse
Commission with reference to rates, fares.
charges or c1assifications of railroad companies.
This makes an order by the commission affect
ing rate take effect Immediately, and in the
event of an appeal by the railroad company, the
rate is to remain in effect until finally deter
mined by the courts. Under the present law it
requires from 3 to years from the time order
IS made to have it finally determined and it i
follows that the commission or shipper is not
going to enter into such long drawn out con
test if it can be avoided The effect of this bill
will be to hasten the final determination of a
suit when once commenced There is some
his bill, tho it's wisdom cannot be questioned
Two joint resolutions also adopted
One relates to freight rates on interstate traffic
md calls the commission to thoroly investi-
rate those rates. and the proportion that dis
ance tariff should bear to distributing tariff
The other memorial to tha nri-I