The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-11
COMMISSION GAN
CHANGE The RATES.
LA FOLLETTE'S RAILROAD BILL
SWEEPING IN ITS PROVISIONS.
Secret Rates and Rebates Arc Prohib-
tied Commissioners Are to Be Prac-
tical Men with No Entanglements
with Corporation Interests Appoint
ment Vested In Executive.

Madison, wis, Feb. I.-Governor La Follette's
railroad rate commission bill, introduced in the
gives the commission large authority. The bill
says little about rates. but CLOTHES the COM
mission with complete power over them. The
features are as follows: 81
Number Of commissioners, three.
Salary. So, 900 q year.
Length Of term, Six years. Es
Hoy chosen. appointed by governor rn ~, 49,,
classification and rates, and the commission can
change these If shown to be unjust. =
No. attempt is made to restrict railroads BY
way OF concentration rates. E.s 5iss Is
Railways are permitted to do what Is neces-
sary for the. developing Of the manufacturing
Secret rates and rebates are forbidden:
The commission shall perform all duties now
performed by traffic managers of the various
roads, E7fz 4- s4-
7 Can Change Rates.
The commission has power to change commod-
ity rates, zone rates. group rates or any other
rates that now are established by the railroads
themselves, and in which changes may seem t.
the commission to be to the best interests Of
the state. ~ ii - ~,
There shall be no secret rate OF any kind
or description. There is no long or short-haui
provided for; no distance tariff, and the COM
mission is left free to work out schedules that
shall be fair to the railroads and fair to every
shipping interest in the state. - =, S.#-
In addition to this absolute rate-making power,
it is proposed to give the commission power to
not only of the railroads but also of the ship
pers, and to compel the interchange of traffic
at junction points, without Inconvenience or un-
necessary delay. Sz 6 r. .r-4>-, II
and Investigation Of all accidents is provided
for. KRIS - ,aE-E
Qualifications and Powers.
One commissioner shall have a general know
ledge Of railroad accounts and statistics; each
Of the others shall have a general understanding
of matters relating to railroad transportation.
and of the law pertaining thereto.
The persons appointed shall not be directly
or indirectly interested in any railroad in this
state or out of it. 1880 ~. .of aa.S
No such commissioner shall hold any other
office under the government Of the United States
or Of this state or Of any other state govern
ment He shall devote his entire time to the
duties of his office. ~ss ~ ~
The commission may hold sessions at any
place other than the capitol when deemed ne
cessary. 49, - ..s. -.,- -. - D..
1t shall have power to classify and sub
divide fairly and justly all freight and property
of whatsoever character that may be trans
ported over the railroads of this state into such
general and special classes or subdivisions as
may be found necessary and expedient. =, i
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, If found necessary In order to
do justice. and may make rates for express COM
panies, different from the rates fixed for rail
roads. - ..:, s.. go.
-. =. May Prescribe Rates.
The commission shall have power, from time
to time, to alter, change, amend or abolish any
classification or rate established by 1t; and any
amended altered or new classifcations or rate
shall be put into effect in the same manner
as the original 'yi@ Ss't5 -~''ssf~ sa@7 e55
The commission shall have power to make
and establish reasonable regulations for the
transportation of passengers over each and al
Of the railroads, subject hereto, and to pre-.
scribe the rates therefor which rates shall moi
exceed the rates fixed by law : 3r.-t.,
All claims against any railroad company from
injury to- property or for oyercharge upon any
shipment, or for any other service, may be in
.vestigated by the commission, and upon re.
quest of any interested person It shall be Its
duty SO to do, and the results Of such inves
tigation shall be embodied in a special report
which shall be open to public inspection, anu
may be. included in the next report Of the com
mission ~ --, - H. r. '~~
The commission shall have power, upon such
terms as 1t shall decide to be just, to require
any railroad company to construct spur track:
whenever the same may be reasonably necessary
for the accommodation of shippers. [-'' -
/. Ten Days Notice Provided.
Before any rates shall be established or othel
order made under this act, the commission
shall give the railroad company or companies
to be- affected thereby ten days notice Of thu
time and place when and where such rates OF
other matter will be considered : and deter
mined, and said railroad company or companie.
shall be entitled to be heard. 2 =. =
Any officer, agent employee OF any rail-
road company who, upon proper demand, shall
fail or refuse to exhibit to the commissioners
or any Of them. or any person authorized t.
Investigate the same, any paper: or book of sucl
railroad company, which is in possession or mn
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