The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-12
LAF0LLEITE WANTS
RATE COMMISSION
Governor in Inaugural Address
Points to Railroad Rule
Over Commerce. ... F.

Madison, Wis, Jan. 12.-The main
sage which he read personally to the
legislature today, was demand for an
appointive freight rate commission, the
last of the big reforms asked by the gov
ernor. The message occupied. three
hours In reading, nearly half being de-
voted to the railroads. On this SUBJ
ject he said: .'s.} ,..a4r r. e.. -
Independently of the question of ex
cessive freight charges, the state should
no longer allow railway corporation to
control without supervising, absolutely
and arbitrarily, the commerce of Wis
consin, and thru control of that com
merce, determine what villages shall be-
come cities, what cities become great
markets, and dictate as to business SUI
premacy in every industry. Whatever
temporary reductions may have been
made for business reasons, study of
railway tariffs in force in Wisconsin
now discloses: ...
Rate Evils in Wisconsin.
HFirst-Wisconsin rates are still
higher than the rates charged under
substantially similar conditions on state
traffic in the neighboring states of Hi
nois and IN Iowa, where the rates are
regulated by law.
Second--Inte:state rates in Wiscon-
sin are generally higher, than rates in
Illinois and Iowa. ~ 80 -. Il
Third-Rates charged on traffic in.
Wisconsin on the whole yield a gross
income, to the railroads considerably
ating expenses, for maintenance of
property and for fair interest or profit
on the cost of roads. f.
"Fourth-The railway companies are
guilty Of gross determinations in favor
of certain shippers, and their discrimin-
atoms as between favored shippers are
likewise rankly unjust, resulting in
the upbuilding of monopoly, controlling
production and markets alike.
Control Over Commerce.
The fact that the railroads have such
complete control over the rates has
given them control over commerce of
far-reaching effect. It is easily in their
power to destroy cities and villages
o.; build them up in wealth and power.
They have but to raise rates in one case
and lower them in another, or afford
superior facilities in one case or made.
quate service in another.
''The time has come for decisive &C:
tion. The control Of price of coal and
iron and the food products, and other
basic elements of our commercial life
by trust organizations in connection
with the great transportation systems
| VI GHe COuuI1y Is dDSOluGOly
of industrial and commercial indie
pendence. Industrial and commercial
: servitude in the final analysis is ,abso
! lutely destructive Of political independ
ence. e--- e.. -. ... -. -.... r.,
cit is time to look to The government
for relief, and, for it's own sake, NJ
power short of the government itsel,
is! adequate now to meet existing con
ditions.' .
l. AS to Railroad Accidents.
The governor also urged repeal o,
the mortgage taxation law, the enact
, ment Of an income tax. and better pro
lection against railroad accidents.
Other recommendations are for civi
service law which shall be applied t,
all employees in the service of the state
the counties and cities outside of elect
, i've offices; an additional member O
! the state board of control, such membe
! to be woman; an appropriation o
3 100000 for suitable representation O.
$ Wisconsin at the Lewis and Clar]
s exposition.
: Senator McGillivray introduced
: joint resolution today memorializin
congress to enact at its present session
a law giving increased power to tn
interstate commerce commission, in con
Q formity with the Recommendations con
g tanned in President s Roosevelt's recen
a message.