River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-04-27
RATE LAW IS ASSURED
COMPROMISE ON BILL EFFECT
ED IN LEGISLATURE.
WHOLE PLAN NOW "DoPED"
AS Soon as Measure Passes Govern
or La Toilette Will Sign and
Qualify for United States
Senator.
[special Correspondence.l

Madison, WIS, April 24.-AJ last the
cloud surrounding the railroad rate
bill and the governors seat in the
United States senate has been cleared
away, for a compromise on the rate
measure has been accepted by Gov. La
Toilette and the latter, after the bill
passes both houses is free to don his
toga and proceed to Washington. The
compromise bill, which HalfOrd E.
Erickson, labor commissioner. and T..
II. Gill, attorney for the Wisconsin
Central railroad, Matched out, gives
the commission the pGWer to fix
rates; provides that no rate fixed by
the commission shall go into effect
for go days; does away with the idea
that an appeal can act as a stay in
proceedings, leaving the injunction as
the only means of redress for the
roads; provides for six years of service
on the commission at SIS 600 per an
num- The commission is to act as a
broad of review to examine all sched-
ules of rates and may order hearings
to investigate unreasonable rates after
giving the railroads ten days notice
as to the time and place OF such hear
ing. Besides having power to fix
rates, the new bill gives the commits
sion power to compel railroad COM
panies to furnish adequate service to
shippers. Cars must be furnished
within reasonable time after applica-
ton is made for the service. Rebates
of all kinds, secret rates or discrimina-
tive rates. are forbidden. The COM
modify rate is preserved. A strong
provision is made in the bill to allow
this class of rates. But the commodity
rates must be open to all shippers
alike; there must be no unfair dis
elimination in it's application. On this
the commission law gives the railroad
companies the same privileges they
now enjoy, that of making rates, but
the public carriers will be required by
the new law, if it is passed, to keep
on file at all stations copies of their
rates, which copies shall be accessible
to the public. A copy of the rates
also must be filed with the commits
sion. In addition to the local tariffs,
all joint tariffs, contracts and agree
ments with shippers are to be kept on
file at railroad stations
Governor Supports Bill.
The governor has declined to accept
any bill, the character of which he was
not sure, but Chairman Braddock is
authority for the statement that the
governor declared his willingness to
support the compromise measure In
consequence the fate of the bill is as
sured. 1t will soon be given to both
houses and it's passage will occupy
but little time. There may be a hitch
in the senate if the opposers of the
measure prove themselves unexpected
ly strong, but from the present out
look all seems clear to the so-called
administration forces.
Only Hope of Roads.
The hope of the roads is in delay
of getting the measure before the So
Ions. If the railroad lobbyists can in
any manner hold back action on the
bill until late in the season, there ex-
lists the possibility that the legisla-
ture will adjourn without having made
a railroad rate law. Halford Erick-
sen and J. w. Thomas, the men who
worked out the compromise measure
are regarded as almost certain to Sc
cure positions upon the commission,
when the law is passed.
Other Road Laws Promised.
Gov. La Toilette last week sent to
the legislature a message setting forth
the need of law providing for great
er safeguards against railroad acct
dents. He urged law placing the
responsibilities for all accidents where
they belong, juries to determine as be-
tween companies and employees. All
accidents, the governor said, should be
reported to the state. During the years
1903 and 1904 the number of deaths
and accidents from railroads in Wis
consin was 1924. The governor ia
vored thorough investigation of all
accidents, and recommended the enact
ment of co-employe law, similar to
the one repealed in 1880. Railroad en-
ployes, in particular. he said, should
be more fully protected. Following
the governors recommendation such
a bill was Introduced in the assembly
and orded engrossed.