Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1905-01-19

tax under the assessment. And so
at the end of ali these years OF delay
these corporations Will seek sun
further to defeat the ends OF Justice
and defy the Will OF the people in a
state where they collect annually
transportation charges amounting, in
round numbers, 10 $4,000, 600. NH,
lions OF dollars have been wrongfully
withheld from their annual reports.
How far reaching this fraud upon the
state may ultimately prove to be can.
not be determined"
Continuing the governor SAYS the
state fails in one OF the essentials OF
OF government when it permits a
railway company to leave a populous
and productive area, like that between
Madison and Prairie du CHEN, with a
railway service so deplorably bad as
TO cause continual public protest 70.
years without and redress whatever.
independently of the question of en-
cesslve freight charges the state
should 10 longer allow the railway
corporation to control, without
supervision, absolutely and arbitrarily.
the commerce of Wisconsin, and
through the control of that commerce,
determine what villages shall become
cities, what cities shall become great
markets, and dictate as to business
supremacy in every industry.
Whatever temporary reductions
may have been made for political rea,
sons, a study of railway tariffs In
force in Wisconsin at the present
time, says the governor. discloses the
following facts which | take this oc
easion TO present for your considera
ton:
]. Wisconsin rates are still higher
than the rates charged under sub,
stanttally similar conditions on state
traffic in the neighboring states of
illinois and Iowa, where these rates
are regulated by law.
:. Ihe interstate rates in Wisconsin
are generally higher than the rates in
Iowa and Illinois.
., The rates charged on traffic in
Wisconsin, on the whole, yield a gross
income to the railroads considerably
above the amounts required for ri,
operating expenses, for the main.
tenance OF property, and for a fair in
terest or profit on the cost of the
roads.
T. Inc railway companies are guilty
vi gross determinations in favor oil
certain shippers, and their dis
ordinations as between favored
shippers are likewise frankly uniust
resulting in the upbuilding ct
monopoly, controlling production ami
markets alike.
y IS apparent that the railway com
panles not only have the power "a
MAINTAIN their present high rates bnt
10 increase chem at will and the
governor adds that the great trusts
ana combinations of the country owe
thelr life and are largely dependent
TOR thelr existence, upon special rates
special privileges and close assocfa.
''on with the great railway systems
The governor argues that ar an,
question can be definitely settled NV
'ie people OF state. the peo.
pie of Wisconsin have sattIeI
me question that railway service and
railway rates shall be controlled hy a
railway commission, in so far as mo
same is subject to state control under
the constitutions"
However technical and scientieo
fdte-maling is in the abstract %
pIacuced by the railroads, there is
mule OF scientific application and less
justice. As evidence of this, let me
quote some comparisons in railroal
LaIe-maklng, in shipping articles or
me same weight, exactly the same
distance: same
Box of stationery, 100 lbs. .... s61
BOX OF wrapping paper, 100 lbs. AZ
BOX OF brass hinges, 100 lbs. 49,. .67
BOX or iron hinges, 100 lbs. -. AZ
BOX OF clock springs, 100 lbs. 81
BOX OF iron castings, 100 lbs, %
Box OF granite iron ware, 100 lbs e7
BOX OF iron skillets, 100 lbs. a
However great the technical and ex-
pert knowledge Of the traffic depart
ment of the railway company. it does
not require a very extended inyestiga.
tlon OF the question to convince on.
that rate-malling is often managed
ana always controlled by those having
greater familiarity with stoek
markets, than with the economies OF
proportional rates, terminal tariffs.
and the whole range of classifcations
and schedules.
With respect to the scope of a law
reating a state railway commission
he governor believes that the most
areful and thorough investigation
viii lead to the conviction that the
commission should be invested with
)oWer TO enforce an adequate ana
ihcient service. with respect 10
ne regulation Of rate, have no doubt
that you will wisely determine N