Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-02-16
RAT
BILL IN
Railway Commission of
Three Named by The
Governor
Power to Fix Rates, But
Courts May Re-
view
Sweeping Measure Apply
ing to All Transporta-
ton Matters

administration railway commission
bill was introduced. The final
changes were made at meet
ing Of the senate committee on rail-
roads, and in it's final form it rep
resents the best judgment of the COM
mittees of both houses, after securing
the opinions of many members as well
as others who may be considered
authorities on the subject.
An appointive commission of three
members is provided for at salary
Of $4,000 each, with a secretary at
$4,000 They must not be interested
in any railroad. 1t Is vested with
power to require an adequate railway
service, to prescribe just and equitable
rates, charges and regulations, to
govern and regulate railroad freight
and passenger rates, and switching
and other charges, to correct abuses
and prevent unjust determinations and
extortion in the rates Of freight and
passenger tariffs, and all other rail-
way service on the differcn; railroads
and to enforce such rules, charges and
|
prescribed by law.
The commission shall have power to
fairly and justly classify AMI sub-divide
all freight and property Of whatsoever
character that may be transported
over the railroads of the state into
such general and special classes as
may be found expedient. 1t shall
have power to fix for each class of
freight and article or commodity a
reasonable rate for each railroad
These classifications shall be the same
for all railroads. The commission
may fix different rates for different
railroads and for different lines under
the same management, or for different
parts of the same lines, and may make
rates for express companies different
from the rates fixed for railroads. The
commission has power to fix and es-
tablish for all or any connecting lines
of railroad reasonable joint rates of
freight charges for the various classes
and kinds of freight and cars that may
pass over two or more lines of such
railroads.
If any two connecting railroads fail
to agree upon just division OF the
charges arising from the transporta
tlon of freights, passengers or cars
over their lines, the commission may
fix the pro rata part OF such charges
to be received by each of said con-
Meeting lines.
The commission has power to estab
lish reasonable regulations for the
transportation OF passengers over all
railroads and prescribe the rates
The commission shall have the power
to prescribe reasonable regulations,
rates, tolls or charges for any other
service performed by any railroad
subject hereto.
The commission shall have the
power, when deemed by it necessary
to prevent injury to the business or
interests OF the people or railroads OF
this state through interstate rate
wars, or in case of any other emer.
gency, TO temporarily alter. amend, or
with the consent OF any railroad com,
pany. suspend, any existing passenger
rates, freight rates, schedules, orders
and circulars on any railroad or part
OF railroads In this state.
All claims against any railroad com
pany for injury to property from any
cause, or for overcharge upon any
shipment, or for any other service,
may be investigated by the com.
mission, and upon request OF any in.
terested party it shall be its duty so
to do and the results Of such in
vestigation shall be embodied in a
special report which shall be open 20
public inspection, and may be inclUd-
ed in the next report of the com.
mission.
Any person proposing to erect and
: construct a public elevator or public
, warehouse upon line of railroad
! shall be furnished facilities therefor
, by such road, The commission shall
. have power to require any railroad
! company to construct spur tracks
: whenever the same may be reason
ably necessary for the accommodation
! of shippers, Whenever any shipper
[ constructs a private track in aid oil
r shipments over any road. the com
, mission shall have authority to re
) quire the road to make switch con
/ nection herewith and to set IN or
A any spur track, whether owned
!. privately or by the road. cars re
! quired for loading at such place o.
q places and at such times as shall b.
4 convenient for the shipper
q Before any rates shall be estab
$ lished the commission shall give III,
|. railroad company ten days notice D
the time and place when and wher,