Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-01-25
FOR RAILWAY
COMMISSION
Measure Introduced In the leojsla.
ture by Senator Martien, Of Lew.
10 and Clarke.
GALAXY FIXED At $4,000 A YEAR
Governor, Secretary Of state and Al.
torney General to Constitute tho
Commission for Two Years.

ally regarded as one of the most i'm.
portant measures so far introduced
IN the legislature Is Senator MARTENS
bill creating state railroad and
transportation commission. In it's
provisions it follows closely a meas.
ure introduced in the senate of Wash.
ington two years ago, and it will re-
ceive very careful consideration before
dnal action is taken.
The measure bears the title "An
act to establish q railroad and trans.
portation commission for the state of
Montana, and define its powers and
duties, whereby discrimination and ex.
tortion I'm railroad and express charges
may be prevented, and reasonable
freight, passenger and express tariffs
may be established; to prescribe and
authorize the making of rules and
regulations to govern the commission
and the railroads and express com.
panies and afford railroad and express
companies and other parties adequate
remedies; to prescribe penalties for
the violation of this act, and to pro.
vide means and rules for its enforce
.ment."
The first section of the act creates
a commission composed of the gov
ernor. secretary of state and attorney
general, who shall serve until the first
Monday in January, 1907, the governor
to be the chairman. On the date
named these three are to be succeed
ed by three commissioners to be elect.
ed at the general election in Noyem.
Der 1906, for two, four and six wears
respectively. Commissioners are to
give $4,000 bond and receive a salary
OF 1000 each, except that no salary
is to be paid to the commissioners un.
tn the first Monday in January. 1907
The commission may appoint a secre-
tary at $4,000 year and such clerks
as may be considered necessary at
5 $1,200 q year.
Regulation Of Rates.
Under section it is the duty of
tne commission to adopt all necessary
rates, charges and regulations to gov.
ern and regulate freight and passep
ger tar1ns, to correct abuses and pre.
vent unjust discrimination and extor-
lion IN the rates of freight and pass
eneer tariffs on the railroads of the
state; to fairly classify and subdivide |
Ill freight and merchandise into such |
general and special classes as may be |
I0nnd expadtent, and to fix for each |
class q reasonable rate for each rail. |
rnad. II two or more connecting rail.
roads shall fail to agree upon a fair |
1lvlslon OF the charges arising from
ne transportation of freight, passen-
gers or cars over their lines, the COM
mission shall fix the pro rata of the
harges to be received by each of the
connecting lines. It Is also empower
"a to compel railroad companies to
JrOv1de sufficient train service for the
accommodation Of the general pub
lc. and maintain waiting. freight and
baggage rooms. The commission shall
'1ve each OF the companies 20 days
lotlce OF its intention to fix rates.
In case Of dissatisfaction on the
'art OF the company on account of
ny change Of rate a protest against
he commission may be filed in the
listrct court OF Lewis and Clarke
ounty, and this shall have precedence
ver MI other civil actions on the
ocket of difIerent nature. Either
arty may appeal to the supreme
0urt, and here the action is to have
Violation of the order of
he court 10 punishable by fine of !
OF exceeding $1,000 for each offense ]
r imprisonment of the person guilty
I contempt until he snail purge HIM
elf of the contempt.
Must Secure Statistics. 1t
The commission is gwen the right t
, inspect the books and papers of c
ny railroad company and II any COM
any refuse it shall pay a penalty of +
OF less than $125 nor ulvre than $500 c
day during such period of refusal q
ne commission is to secure all in
concerning the railroad t
the cost OF construction, s
and operation. bonded in S
sbtedness. names of the bondholders. d
Ice paid for the bonds. etc.. and file a
le information in the Office of the v
'cretary of state. VI
The said commission shall have Y
'wer." the act provides. "and it is
,reby made its duty to investigate /,
through freight rates on railroads n
Montana; and when the same are. G.
the opinion of the commission. ex- I,
ssive or levied or laid in violation I,
the interstate commerce law. or
e rules and regulations of the inter- r,
ate commerce commission, the Off II
ais of the railroads are to be mott. m
ID of the facts and requested to re h,
zee them to make proper corrections, a,
the case may be. When the rates ~
e not changed or the proper correc- =,
,ns are not made according to re-
est Of the commission, the latter is h,
to notify the interstate o,
commission and to apply to h,
for roliofn -