The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-04

companies from increasing freight rates
without first submitting same to the
commission and receiving it's permission
to do so. 1t was recommended by the
railroad and warehouse commission, and
I understand a similar request will be
made this session.
Is there any reason why rates should
be advanced9 TO determine, let us
compare railroad earnings in Minnesota
with those in Iowa. Take the report
for the year Of the railway commission
ers in Iowa., ending Nov: 80, 1903, and
Of our commissioners, ending June 80,
1908. In our state at that time, in
round numbers, we had 1880 miles of
railway; in Iowa, $500. In Iowa, gross
earnings, $57, l59,0s5; in our state. $685.
06l 499 OPeggaating expenses in M M1n aae
1t will be observed that the net earn
Iowa, SIG, 406, Discover twice as much
as in Iowa.
The net profits per mile in our state
we're about $4,000 and in Iowa about
$1,7OO-nearly three times as much
profit per mile in our state.
If you allow the same profit per mile
in Minnesota as Iowa received-an L
approximately the same-you will find
| that Minnesota was overcharged in a
single year on each and every mile
| $4,000, which totals the vast sum OF
| 1928 ,452. Consider this fabulous
sum, more than $23,000,000, the result
of oppressive and unreasonable rates in
single year.
It may be said, however, that large
portion of this traffic was on shipments
thru the state. The same is true of
Iowa. But take shipments wholly In
the two states, for after all, we are more
concerned about railroad rates affecting
ourselves a carload load say of TO-
Iowa can be shipped loo, miles for $4S
miles, say from Minneapolis to Melrose
in this state, the rate per carload OF
the same class Of freight is $S2. You
will notice marked difference as soor
as you cross our southern line; rates are
much higher in southern Minnesota thar
creases as you come farther north. Other
comparisons could be made, but they
would be favorable to Iowa and against
Minnesota.
Measured by any standard, our people
are charged most excessive freight rate!
in comparison with our neighbors. II
view Of the facts above recited, and tn!
unjust burdens forced upon our people,
trust that you will pass a law to pre-
vent the raising Of freight rates with
out first giving notice to our commits
sion and securing their consent.
PRIMARY ELECTIONS.
The merits Of our primary law hav
been demonstrated. The law meet
with the approval Of the people and tn
! press, and will be maintained. Ameno
Australian law, eventually it will b
perfected, and in time become as pol
nlar as Indispensable. 1t is, in m
: Judgment, wise to SO amend our presen
: primary law as to require by this ,meti
. cd the nomination Of candidates for a
state offices: And +! would d. f f4ntts
: States senators be made in the sam
t manner. It is true the nomination
would have to be confirmed later by .th
legislature; but what better method t
indicate the peoples choice? Wisconsin
: by an overwhelming majority, adopte
primary election law, a Mh1eh 1nelu nee
> as United States senator's: Sewers
/ other states have adopted this methc
e and good results follow.
= Tf the reasons are sound for common
u ing the primary system as now apple
o to nominations, then the system shou
l. he extended to include all condition
j. for state Offices as well as United Stat
It senators.
o OLD CAPITOL.
= Tt is a matter Of regret that the ne
! capitol is not entirely completed, al
u that all the various departments cou
\ not be Immediately housed in the ne
e state home. The supreme court, as w
n as some Of the other departments. W
have to remain some time in the old ca
itol, and it will devolve upon you
y, arrange for heating and the care of t
n old building, and for it's final dispositic
IS There remains in the old capitol t
sacred. battle-scarred and bull bullet, TO
ments during our great civil strife.
I'd is the regret of my life that / could n
W before leaving office, arrange approp
q. ately for their removal. Tt was my
n tention to make that day by proclan
ed ton a holiday and select as guards
al Honor every Minnesota veteran Of the