The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-17
MANY INVESTIGATIONS
MADE BY LEGISLATURE

Inc legislature of 1905 was long on
Investigations, possibly conducting a
greater number than any legislature
tnat ever sat in the state. That in
winch the public apparently took the
eseatest interest was the investigation
OF transportation rates in the state.
On resolution introduced by Sem
ator A. o. Eberhart of Mankato a Joint
committee vas named by the senate
ana mouse early in the session. 1t held
almost daily sessions for more than
SIX weeks. Scores of persons testified
before the committee, and the INQUIRY
developed discussion of interstate
Ifeignt rates, as we'll as those over
Which the state lawmakers have some
authority
The railroads cooperated with the
committee and the state railroad and
warehouse commission TO give the
committee all possible light on the SUBJ
1ect of rates.
Inc result was two reports. One was
signed by the five senators and two
representatives on the committee The
other had the names of three repre-
sentatlves attached. The reports diff
fered only in the language employed.
and in two bills accompanying the mi
nority report that were not reported
by the majority. More as a matter of
courtesy to the house members of the
committee than on their merits, the
mouse accepted the minority report as
Its report. and passed all the bills that
the minority submitted The senate
passed only the bills introduced by
the majority.
The bills which passed both houses
are: To prevent the change of freight
rates or classifications without the
consent of the railroad and warehouse
commission, imposing a fine of $4,000
nr fr1cr NT,
joint resolution directed to the rail-
road and warehouse commission, ask
ing Tor readjustment of freight rates.
a joint memorial to congress, urging
the passage of a bill giving enlarged
powers to the interstate commerce
commission.
The house passed, in addition to
these four bills, bill to make or
ders of the railroad and warehouse
commission effective, notwithstanding
appeal TO the courts, and bill giving
the state railroad commission author
ity to prosecute the complaints of Min
nesota shippers before the interstate
commerce commission An increased
appropriation of $1275O a wear is con-
tanned in the omnibus appropriation
bill for the state commission to enable
II TO enforce the terms of the different
acts.
Fire Insurance Rates
Another investigation was that con-
duced by special insurance commit
tee. A. K. Ware of Rice offered a res
oiution declaring that fire insurance
rates In the state are excessive. A
house committee of five developed the
fact that the claim that country prop
erty is paying insurance on city prop
erty because of an equality of rates is
untrue. The committee investigated
alleged determinations between union
and nonuniOn companies. As a con-
cIuslon the committee introduced a
bill establishing the Office of fire mar
sinai for the state. The house accept
ed the suggestion, but struck the anti
compact feature from the bill and also
section limiting the amount of COM
missions which insurance companies
may pay their agents.
Resolutions and bills in the house
directed towards the establishment of
gravity test for Illuminating oils re-
suited in an inquiry as to the desirable
ity of such a test. The standing COM
mlttee OF the house investigated the
subject at length. 1t will report today
against change from the fire test.
but VIII make certain recommends
tons as TO the inspection of oils by
the state oil inspection department
Dowline's Investigations
An investigation made by the stand
Ing committee on public accounts,
spent over six weeks investigating the
charges of former Public Examiner 6
L. johnson as to the cuipability of
former State Auditor R. c. Dunn and
State Auditor S. G. Iverson in settling
timber trespasses on state lands The
committee had all the parties before
them. Mr.. Johnson was on the stand
for days. The testimony was at times
sensational.
The committee was unable to agree
on a report. A majority declared that
the evidence proved no dereliction on
the part OF the former auditor and the
present state auditor. Three members,
constituting a minority. said that the
evidence was undisputed that the au-
ditors had not followed the plain pro-
visions of the law. The house by an