Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-05-24

tween tle railroad company and the
complainant. The commission is
given fun power to enforce the at
tendance Of witnesses and the produc-
ton of books, papers and all neces.
sary information at such hearing.
If, on investigation, The committee
finds tlat the rate complained OF is
unreasonable or unJustly discrimina
tory, ii is given the power to re.
termine and declare a reasonable rate
10 be substituted by the railroad
company for the rate complained of
and is also given the same power if
the rate is found too low. The rate
determined by the commission is to
go into effect within twenty days
after the service of a copy of the
same on the railroad company.
The commission is given the power
TO fix reasonable rate and if either
party is dissatisfied with the decision,
said party may begin action in the
circuit court of any county in the
state and an injunction may be passed
preventing the rate from going into
effect pending me determination OF
action in such court. All discrimina-
tons of every character are prohibited
by the bill, but commodity rates ana
rates TOR the concentration of ma
terials and so forth necessary for the
development OF the manufacturing ana
agricultural interests of the state are
permitted.
Uniform Classification.
The bin provides that there shall be
only one classification of freight in
the state and that this shall be
uniform on all railroads and shall be
the same for state as for interstate
traffic The rates in existence now
are declared the maxir>um rates untn
Dec. 81, 1905, when the members OF
the railroad commission are expected
TO be fully acquainted with their
duties. After that the maximum rate
Viii be under the control Of tho com.
mission.
The senate bill differs from the bill
which passed the assembly in respect
to the manner OF enforcing the find
in.s of the commission. Under what
has heretofore been known as the az
ministration bill, appeal from the
finding of the commission could he
brought only in the circuit court or
Dane county and the attempt was
made to prohibit the granting Of the
injunction except in extreme cases
where the court was firmly of the
opinion that the .ate establishes
would prove confscatory to the in.
terests OF the railroads. Under the
Few plan, appeal may be taken to The
circuit court of any county and in.
junction may issue. no attempt being
made to abridge this constitutional
right Appeal from the decision OF
the circuit court may be taken to the
supreme court.
In I'll" assembly bill it was provided
that rates in force Dec. 81, 1904
shoul e the lawful rates, subject to
change only on the order of the CON-
mission The plan now is that rates
in force on Dec. 81, 1905 shall be the
maximum for all time in this state
Complaint may be made by any per
son, firm or corporation, mercantile,
agricultural or manufacturing associa-
tion, body polite or municipal organ
izatiCn.
The commission may revise rates
which it deems unreasonable upon its
own motion. and in actions begun in
court precedence shan be given such
cases over all other cases. The courts
shall be open at all times for the com
mencement of such eases. When an
appeal is taken to the supreme court,
pTeoo3c~ce shall also be given the
ease there.