The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-14
ALL R. R. CHARGES
TO BE REGULATED.
SWEEPING PROVISIONS IN ACT
DRAWN BY INVESTIGATORS.
Railroads May Not Alter Any Rate or
~ Charge Without Consent Of State
Commission May Change Terminal
Charges, ClassiRcations or Minimum
Weights-Books Open to Inspection.


Charges, Classifcations or Minimum
Weights Books Open to Inspection.
Senate File sos, which passed both
houses of the legislature Thursday, is
a measure of the most vital Importance
to Minnesota shippers and receivers Of
freight. 1t embodies several provisions
intended to do away with discrimina-
lions and unreasonable charges, and, if
these are enforced to the letter it will
change methods to quite an extent. For
the information of the public me
j Il n a | here gives the essential por
lions Of the bill in full: ~
Section AL common carriers sub
ject to the laws Of this state shall have
the right in the first instance to pre-
scribe and publish as required by law.
all classifcations and tariffs, rates and
charges. together with rules governing
the same, including minimum weights for
the transportation of any freight arti-
cles between points or stations in the
state Of Minnesota. this act shall include
all terminal and switching charges. There
shall be but one classification which shall
be uniform On all the railroads in this
state, and shall govern in all state COM
merce.
/ Sec. I'm addition to the present re-
quirements for publishing tariffs, rates.
charges and classifications, all common
carriers in this state SHALL whenever any
new tariff or classification or any amend.
ment to any tariff or classified ton is
published, either by itself or the COM
mission. post In a conspicuous place in
every depot where the public would be
affected. notice printed in large, legible
type, stating that changes have been
made, Indicating upon what articles Or
commodities, and where the new tariff,
classification or amendment may be seen.
Sec. 3.-The schedule of rates and
charges for the transportation of freight
and cars, together with the classification
of such freights, minimum weights and
rules now in effect, and all rates. charges
and classifications published by any COM
| mon carrier after the passage Of this act
! shall be deemed just and reasonable and
| shall not be changed, except upon the Or,
der Of or by the written consent of the
| railroad and warehouse commission.
The terms Of this act shall also apply
! to all schedules of rates and charges pub
lished by two or more common carriers
Jointly.
Sec. 4.-Nothing in this act shall apply
to the carriage, storage or handling by
any common carrier, of property free or
at reduced rates, for the United States
| Or the state of Minnesota or for any mu-
n1cipal government or corporation within
the state, or for any church, religious So
ciety or charitable purpose, or to Or from
fairs or expositions, or for stock edng
purposes, or for carrying seed grain.
! Sec. 5.-Any common carrier desiring to
change or discontinue any published rate,
charge of classification, minimum weight
| or rule governing the same to which it is
a party. shall make; application to the COM
mission in writing, stating the changes
desired, giving the reasons for such
| change. Upon receiving such applica-
| ton, the commission shall fix time and
place for hearing, and give such notice
| to interested parties as it shall deem
proper and reasonable, and after hearing
all the evidence offered. if the commission
find that it is reasonable, fair and just to
both shippers and carriers that the
change should be allowed as asked for
it shall grant the application, otherwise
it shall deny the same, or may grant the
same in modified form. Passenger rates
are not affected by this act. -
Sec. 6.-Upon the application of any
carrier or carriers to the railroad an(
warehouse commission, stating that they
desire to put in an emergency rate fol-
the protection Of the interests Of sucf
carrier or shippers, the commission may
|
out the notice and hearing required by
section 5, authorize the restoration O.
the rates existing at the time Of such ap
plication and fix the time within which
| such restoration may be made and thu
| time so fixed may be extended in the dis
| erection of the commission the c1rcum
| stances of the case may require. NOTHING
in, this act shall be held in any way t
limit or modify the rights and powers
| of the commission to investigate, inquire
into, prescribe and publish what it ma!
deem to be just and reasonable rates
charges and classifcations to; govern com
mon carriers in this state
! Sec. 7-Any~ common carrier vtOlat1n!
any of the provisions Of sections 2, and
of this act, shall be subject to a penalt
of $1OO for each and every day such viola
| ton shall continue, to be recovered IN
civil action in the name Of the state; Q
Minnesota, by the attorney general.
Sec SIT is hereby made the duty G
the commission to keep Itself lnforme
as to whether common carriers in thi
state are granting rebates or in other par
lticulars are failing to comply with tn
laws of this state. For this purpose pow
err is hereby conferred on the commlss'lo
or it's agent to at any proper time MAX
thoro and full examination Of all book
vouchers, papers and accounts OF an
and all common carriers Of this stat
ANY officer, agent or employee. OF an
railroad company in charge OF. sue
lbooks. vouchers, papers and account
fvho shall fail or refuse to submit II
II same for examination of the commissic
g or it's agent shall be guilty ST a misd
Vt neanor The provisions Of: this sectit
5 shall In no way interfere with the dut1
- - Of the public examiner. &%....-