Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-12-13

able the interstate earnings of rail-
road can be taken into account 10
very limited extent only. In order
to pass intelligently upon the reason
ableness of a given rate, it is neces-
sary that the commission should know
the value Of the property of the rail-
road affected in Wisconsin, the
amount earned on intra state business
| distinguished from inter state
business, and the expense of conduct
ing the intra state business as tar az
practicable separate AMI apart from
the inter staty business. Heretofore
carriers have not kept detailed ac-
counts of Wisconsin business sepa-
| rately. The labor of making the sep
aration as to business done in the
past is enormous, and in order TO save
expense on the part of the state and
| the time of the commission, it should
be authorized TO direct the manner in
which accounts pertaining to business
transacted in Wisconsin, whether in
tra-state or interstate, should be kept
in the future.
Second: 1t may be we'll to amend
section of chapter 362 in some par
ticulars in order that it be made more
clear and definite The section per,
mits under certain prescribed con-
ditions, the sale of mileage tickets,
Communication tiStets. excursion tick
cts and party tickets at less than the
regular rate of charge. Prior to the
passage of this act the railroads had
been in the habit OF giving reduced
rates to persons or parties not, per
maps, coming technically within the
exception enumerated in such section,
such as companies of the Wisconsin
national guard when attending the
state encampment, inmates OF sol
diers homes, students in going to and
returning from colle$es, homeseekers
and possibly some others. Constituting
the interstate commerce act, the SUI
preme court Of the United States helu
that the language of the act enumerat
ing certain classes TO whom reduced
rate tickets might be sold was illus
trative and not exclusive, and that the
act did not prevent the railroads from
selling at reduced rates such tickets
as had customarily and usually been
Lold at such rates before its adoption
The Wisconsin commission mas fol-
lowed this decision but it does not APP
pear to have been acquiesced in by
the railroads.
To remove any rOss ib-e dou as to
/ the construction to be placed upon
this section, would recommend an
amendment expressly permitting the
sale of tickets at reduced rates to
companies of the Wisconsin national
guard when attending the state en-
campment, inmates OF soldiers homes,
students in going to and returning from
educational institutions and bona fide
homeseekers, provided, however, that
such tickets may be sold without dis
elimination as between persons OF
classes applying therefor under like
circumstances and conditions.
In this connection the governor
r eommends that the exceptions be
enlarged so as to permit railroad COM
panies to issue free transportation to
former employees disabled in the ser
vice and to members of their families,
and also to the members of families
Of deceased employees.
That the former system of giving
free passes or free transportation has
resulted in much evil AMI should be
abolished is not a debatable question
1t costs the railroad a certain amount
to -.,usport every passenger carried
over its line. Somebody must pay the
cost of carrying the person who rides
free, and that cost is borne by the
travelling public who do pay and not
by the carrier. 1t 1t unfair to the
patron of tie road who pays his fare
that he should not only be called
upon to pay for himself lut also TO
transportation he has no interest.
The governor recommends that tn
law be further amended so as to pro-
vide in express terms that no free
transportation should be issued to any
one not especially excepted by the
provisions of the act
The governor further recommends
that the law be so amended as to give
the commission power in express
terms to investigate on its own motion
at the same hearing, any or all rates
upon a given commodity or class OF
freight upon a line or railroad
stations designated by the commits
sion. The governor urges that the
law should be 50 amended as to au
thorize the commission to prescribe
reasonable regulations in reference to
dangerous grade crossings.
Going to another phase the COVER.
nor says Every dollar expended
by railroad companies must be paid
for by the people, the poor as wen as
the rich. These corporations compel
the public to pay for every expendi-
ture made. If It be to improve the
company's road, or it's service, or to
add few thousand more per annum
to official salaries, or TO conaucu a
campaign against the public interest,
or to bribe a common council or buy
the passage or defeat of legislation,
the public is required to foot the bill.
From time to time these public srrv-
ice corporations set up the claim that
their business was private business;
that any inquiry upon the part of any.
one on the outside was an impudent
and maddlpsOma intrusion They can