Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-12-26
NO EXTRA SESSION.
Governor Tooie declines Request Of
Freight Rate Committee.

Freight Rate Committee.
Helena, Dec 25.-Gev j. X. Toole
has sent the following reply to the
committee representing the Montana
Rate association, requesting him to
call a special session of the legisla-
ture;
Governor Tooie's Reply.
Executive office. Helena, Mont.
December %, 1905.
F. J. Edwards. Esq. Chairman; r. A.
Frazer. Esq. Secretary: T. J. Walsh.
Esq. Austin North, Esq, A. p. Hem
ingsen, Esq, Executive Committee
Helena Rate Convention, Helena,
Montana.
Dear Sirs:-I have the honor to &C.
knowledge the receipt of your COM
munication of the 21st instant. con-
tanning copy of resolution passed
at a convention held at the city of
Helena on December 14th 1905, to con-
slider the question of railroad rates
ct cetra
/ am requested to advise you
whether under any circumstances
would convene the Legislature in ex-
traordinary session to consider the
enactment of law creating a railroad
commission, and if so. to inform you
upon what conditions the calling
would be made.
This information, it appears, is ask.
ed for in order that you may COM
municate with members of the legis-
lative assembly with the view of as
pertaining whether the railroad COM
mission bill passed at the last session
or the legislature could be re-enacted.
provided certain objections then urg-
ed by me in a veto message were
eliminated.
While your communication is per.
suasive, it has not convinced me Of
! the propriety of promise on my part
to call an extraordinary session upon
any condition which members of the
| legislature might agree to perform as
condition precedent to calling the
same
| 1t was late hour of the night when
| the rate convention having accomplish.
ed the real purposes of it's meeting
had dwindled to thirty three members.
that the resolution mentioned in your
communication was passed by a vote
| OF % to 5. This was the vote Of
earnest. determined gentlemen"
bent on securing a railroad commits
sion at the earliest practicable time
and at all hazards, but I am not con-
vlnced that it amounted to popular
clamor for an extra session Of the
legislature.
The whole subject of rate legisla-
tlOn, rebates. ETC., is now an absorb
ing question before congress, and will
doubtless receive such through con
s1deratiOn and investigation as 1t has
never had before.
1t is not improbable that we may
learn much of value from that discus
sion and investigation, which can and
will be applied to state control of rail
roads and which our own legislation
should be made to conform and har-
monize as far as practicable, thus af-
! fording an immense advantage in
entering for the first time upon a sys-
TEN of state regulation Of railroad
| rates.
Whatever our grievances may be.
they have not grown out Of any sud
den emergency or unexpected condi-
tion calling for an extraordinary ses-
sion.
If the people of Montana are in fav-
or of proper and effective measures
regulating railroad rates, as believe
they are, measures which are not to
be the subject of continual agitation
and amendment. they will loose moth.
ing, in my opinion, in the end. by
waiting patiently until the next regli-
lar ession of the legislature only a
year hence and thus avail themselves
of the exhaustive researches which
congress is sure to make on that sub
| ject.
If, however. a contingency should
arise, which at this time does not
seem probable. making an extra ses-
sion necessary to meet some sudden
or unexpected emergency, and a ma.
jority of both houses, when assem-
bled, should by signed petition repre-
sent to me their desire to pass the
measure mentioned in your communi.
cation, relieved of the objections urg-
ed in the veto of last winter, I would
not hesitate by special message to
extend the powers of the legislature
for that purpose.
| The other work laid out by the rate
convention meets my unqualified ap-
prOval. and ought to furnish ample
employment for your most excellent
committee in the meantime
have the honor to be, Yours truly.
| Joseph K. ToOle. Governor.
| Eighth Grade Examination.