Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-02-15
RA 7 {
Bill | IN.
Railway Commission of
Three Named by The
Governor
Power to Fix Rates, But
Courts May Re-
view
Sweeping Measure Apply
ing TO All TranspOrta-
ton Matters


mission bill was introduced. The
final changes were made at meet
ing Of the senate committee on rail
roads, and in it's final form it rep
resents the best Judgment of the com
lnittces Of both houses, after securing
the opinions Of many members as well
as others who may be considered
authorities on the subject.
An appointive commission of three
members is provided for at a salary
of $4,000 each. with a secretary at
$4,000 They must not be interested
in any railroad, 1t is vested with
power to require an adequate railway
service, to prescribe just and equitable
rates, charges and regulations, to
govern and regulate railroad freight
and passenger rates, and switching
and other charges, to correct abuses
and prevent unjust determinations and
extortion in the rates Gf fTeigh, and
passenger tariffs, and all other rail
way service on the differcn railroads
and to enforce such rules, charges and
regulations by having the penalties
prescribed by law.
The commission shall have power to
fairly and justly classify an sub-dividc
all freight and property of whatsoever
character that may be transported
over the railroads Of the state into
such general and special classes as
may be found expedient 1t shall
% fN Of
freight and article or commodity a
reasonable rate for each railroad
These classiflcations shall be the same
for all railroads. The commission
may fix different rates for different
railroads and for different lines Under
the same management, or for different
parts Of the same lines, and may make
rates for express companies different
from the rates fixe = for railroads. The
commission has power to fix and es-
tablish for all or any connecting lines
of railroad reasonable joint rates of
freight charges for the various classes
and kinds of freight and cars that may
pass over two or more lines of such
railroads
If any two connecting railroads fail
to agree upon just division of the
charges arising from the transporta-
ton of freights, passengers or cars
over their lines, the commission may
fix the pro rata part of such charges
10 be received by each of said con-
Meeting lines
The commission has power to estab-
lish reasonable regulations for the
transportation of passengers over ali
railroads and prescribe the rates.
The commission shall have the power
to prescribe reasonable regulations
rates, tolls or charges fer any other
service performed by any railroad
subject hereto.
The commission shall have the
power. when deemed by it necessary
to prevent injury TO the business or
interests of the people or railroads OF
this state through interstate rate
wars, or in case of any other emer-
gency. TO temporarily alter. amend, or
with the consent of any railroad com
pany. suspend, any existing passenger
tftNNss AANi7tlL dANSy StiitllllCH- OlutlH
and circulars on any railroad or para
of railroads in this state
All claims against any railroad com
pany fer injury to property from any
cause or for overcharge upon any
shipment, or for any other service,
may be Investigated by the com
mission. and upon request of any in.
terested party it shall be its duty SO
to do, and the results OF such in
yestisation shall be embodied in
special report. which shall be open to
public inspection, and may be includ-
ed in the next report OF the com
mission.
Any person proposing to erect ana
construct a public elevator or public
warehouse upon line of railroad,
shall be furnished facilities therefor
by such road The commission shalt
have power 10 require any railroad
company to construct spur tracks
whenever the same may be reason.
ably necessary for the accommodation
of shippers. Whenever any shipper
constructs a private track in aid or
shipments over any road the com
mission shall have authority to re
uuire the road to make switch con
nectiou herewith and to sci in on
any spur track, whether owned
privately or by he road cars re
CURED for loading at such place or
places and at such times as shalt be
convenient for the shipper
Before any rates shall be estao-
lished the commission shall give the
railroad company ten days notice of
the time and place when and where
such rates or other matter viii be
considered and determined
The commissioners shall have
power 10 administer oaths. certify to
official acts and TO compel the a.,
tendance ST witnesses and the produc-
tion Of papers. WAY bills, books and
accounts.
Al rates. charges. orders. rules.
regulations and Consultations. pre-
sCribed by the commission. shall be
conclusive and deemed and accepted
10 be reasonable. fair and just in ali
respects. until finally found otherwise
in direct action brought fer that
purpose in the manner prescri6ea by