The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-04-13
AT STATE CAPITAL

Z
agreed on railroad rate bill is one
of the most important bills OF IN
formation that has come from the
legislative chambers this session. 1t
is not stated the agreement is such
that it will be unalterably adhered
to and many predict that when the
test comes the committee will yet
break on some point or that the up
per house will not abide entirely oy
any report made. The bill is the re-
suit OF an agreement between the
two factions. and is much less dras-
tic than the one reported to the as
sembly. The authority of the com
mission will be more restricted.
The RAILROADS will pc given the right
TO apply to the courts for injunc-
tions-a right partly denied them by
the assembly.
Senator Hatton, chairman OF the
committee, made the following
statements:
tine committee is ready to re
port bill. We have agreed on the
points which have divided us most
seriously, and there are only one or
two minor points to settle
The bill provides that the commits
l,o1 bax r 4
all classifications and rates made by
any railroad company doing business
in the state, which are in force, and
IL may, either on complaint or on its.
own motion, investigate the reason
ableness of any rate or classification.
provided that no determination
shall ea made except after a Full
hearing. OF which the railroad COM
pany an d parties complaining shall
have ten days notice in writing as
to- time and place.
Ii upon such hearing, it shall be
found that any existing. classifica-
tion is unjust, or any existing rate
is unreasonable. the commission
shall have power to fix and substi-
tute classification and reason
able rate.
The present week promises to be
a memorable one in the annals of
of this legislature of Wisconsin if
not in the history of the state. The
railroad rate bill, the one measure
on which more interest centers than
on any other, will come up as a spec
ial order in the assembly next
Tuesday. In it's present redrafted
form it will be at once put through
the house after the prolonged de-
bate. which will undoubtedly be
held, and will be passed at once to
the senate on whom the RESPONSE
bility of defeating rate legislation,
If 1T be defeated, must rest. The
assemb y leaders will permit no
change to be made in it's present
form. Assemblyman Page. of Mil
waukee. has introduced substitute
for the purpose of delay, say admin
istration leaders, but which will un-
doubtedly fail of that purpose. 1t
provides for on elective commission
without the power to initiate rates
in the first instance. On the COM
plant the commission is given pow
er to tx rates, which 90 into effect
at once if no appeal is taken by the
carriers within fifteen days. If the
appeal is sustained by the courts,
the carriers are obliged to pay the
excess to the shippers with per
cent added. The fight will then be
fought in the senate, where there
may also be two bills, an admins
tration measure, essentially the
same as will be passed by the. as
sembly, making the commission APP
pointive and giving it large powers,
or the senate measure with restrict
ed power. The issue in the upper
house is one of much doubt and an
other week may not see the end.
Next Wednesday also the Thayer
ward option bill comes up as special
order ins the assembly. This aims
t. prevent the establishment of sa-
looms in any resident district or
petition of M jority of the resi-.
dents. The bill is being desperately
fought by the liquor interests. and
is attracting wide attention. Minis
tiers and other public spirited citiI
zensiof Madison held mass meet
ing in the opera house Sunday night
to stir up enthusiasm Tor it,. Last