The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-06
R. R. INQUIRY
REPORTS ARE IN
COMMITTEE DIVIDED IN TREAT
MENT OF SUBJECT.
Four Bills Agreed On to Improve Pres
ent Conditions-Rebates Made I'm
lawful Consent of Commission
Required for Every Change In Rates
Commission Ordered to Make Re-
duction in Freight Rates.

Commission Ordered to Make Re-
duction in Freight Rates.
The double-headed report of the rail-
road rate investigation committee was
presented to both houses today. The ma
jority report is signed by Senators
Eberhart, Stone, Hawkins and McGill,
and Representatives Dorsey and R. T;
by Representatives w. D. Washburn,
Jr, w. A. Nolan and P. A. Gandrud.
Both reports will be printed and action
taken on them next week.
The recommendations of the two re-
ports are the same, and the entire COM
mittee stands for the bills recommend
ed, which were introduced in both
houses today as committee bills, and
will be considered together as special
order.
One bill is aimed at rebates, and pro-
vides penalty for any person, firm or
corporation guilty of accepting any
special rate, rebate or drawback from
a common carrier, not open to the pub.
lie. 1t also provides penalty OF
$4,000 for the common carrier furnish
| ing the special inducement.
| Another bill enlarges the authority
of the railroad commission, so as to give
it's employees access to the books of the
railroads and punish any attempt. to
withhold information. It also requires
consent Of the commission before any
change is made. X - :.
Another bill is in the form Of g. joint
resolution, directing the railroad ana
readjustment of freight rates in the
state, reducing them to the basis of
rates in Illinois and Iowa, and to read
Just them so that there shall not be
more than per cent difference between
the distance rate and the distributing
rate.
The fourth bill is joint memorial to
congress-, asking for legislation 1ncreas-
ing the powers Of the Interstate com
, merce commission and abolishing
private car lines.
The bills were introduced in both
houses on request of the governor.
The findings Of the majority report
have already been forecast in I'll {
ournal. It does not 20 extensive
ly into the evidence, but finds that most
Of the complaints concern Interstate
commerce. 1t does not favor distance
: tariff law. It finds that the companie.
are now a BILE to raise rates by changing
classifcations, and holds that they
y ought also to be under the jurisdiction
, of the commission. State control Of
demurrage questions is advocated. Thu
evils Of private car lines and mldnlgh
J tariffs are discussed.
) The minority report among othe7
| things favors a law putting the orders
} of the railroad commission into lmmedl
$ ate effect, Notwithstanding appeal to tn
Q courts.
: This report, favored by majority O.
' the house committee, covers twenty
eight pages, and goes deeper into tn
!, subject. 49,.
Details Abuses of System. "
The Washburn report goes more full
2 into the abuses complained of. 1t d
a yides the subjects Into two heads, dis
0 eliminating rates and excessive rates
d as basis for the conclusions:
t That the power Of state control owe
r the internal traffic Of the country is a
y Inherent power of sovereignty and car
V not be alienated. T..
That the powers Of railroad are tn
|powefs given in it's franchises, whic
give it license to conduct the traffi
Of the people under suitable supervisio
of the state. - =. ..~. -
That the state thru its represents
tives has a right to supervise railroa
not only be fair in themselves, but ths
there shall be no discrimination b
. tween individual shippers and sep;
rate communities.
That the railroad, in consideration {
the complexities of the business and til
large capital invested, should hav
large powers in dealing with rates, :
=, long as such rates are not unjust to tf
IL citizens or unreasonable In themselve!
Y; that the railroad is entitled to secure
al reasonable profit upon it's capital, sue
profit to be based upon the capital il
IS vested and upon the risk and complex
10 ties Of the business.
n: The committee finds that discontin
u ing rates fall directly on the indivudu
10 producer and are fatal to fair compel
I, ton. Rates are the basis of values, al
Il, on individual competition and ente
ia prise. Rebates are guaranteed in son
ae form under the heads, Of demurra|
or charges, switching charges, passe
to lines, and classification. The princip
IL Of reciprocal demurrage is Endorsed,
means Of insuring equal treatment f
IS p atrons Of the railroad,
e. . The committee finds that switchi1
~ charges have been RENTED to son
nj shippers and recommends that they
IT. placed under state control to insu
Is uniformity and equality.
A number of "midnight schedules
L. are cited, where rates were made for
'r- short time to favored shippers, to t
es, injury Of others. From this the CO..
ct. mittee concludes that no change
to rates should be made without conse
Ills of the railroad commission after d
We notice.
ct Rates on private cars should be plac
all under the state commission, the comm
so tee concludes, in order to abate t
a evil as far as possible: Classifcatio
vn also should be put under the state CO.
We mission s authority. ....-... ..-
ial
it AS to Determinations.
he 49,.
The committee found Is ner cent