Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-09-05
MINNESOTA RAILROADS YIELD 70
- F2< - :.
3 EXECUTIVES DEMANDS FOR !
~ %i>,'
H. TEN PER CENT DECREASE :
4
on GRAIN RATES FOR The Northwest
joHNsON's RECORD ON RAILROAD
QUESTIONS HAS BEEN CON-
! SlSTENT At ALL TIMES.

roads Is the recent reduction of grain
rates approximating 10 per cent from
all stations over fifty miles from ter
;minal points. This Is direct result
of Governor Johnson's demand that
the people be given "a square DEAL"
The attorneys for the three North
ern lines made a proposition last week
that they would voluntarily reduce
grain rates 10 per cent If the commits
sion would agree not to disturb the
merchandise rates now in force and it
10 generally understood that the COM
,miss1on-or at least two members Of
that body-agreed to accept the CON-
promise. But James Manahan, attor-
ney for the Hastings shippers, did not
propose that his clients should be sold
out In this manner and objected
strenuously. A. B. Stickney. president
of the Great Western, also entered vo-
ciferous protest and the commission
was forced to revise it's order and de-
cided to 80 ahead with the merchan-
disc hearing.
Right here 10 where
i Governor johnson Got Busy.
He decided that since the railroads
admitted before the commission that
they could afford to reduce grain rates
the farmers of the. state should be
given the reduction without further
parley or investigation and wrote the
commission to that effect. For once
In its long period of existence the
commission saw a great white light"
and agreed to carry out the recon.
Hmendations of Governor Johnson by
citing the railroads to appear and
show cause why the grain rate should
not be reduced in accordance with
their own proposition.
> The railroads, like the railroad and
warehouse commission, are more SEN
lsitive to public opinion than they used
TO be and concluded that they might
rs well
Make the Reduction on Grain Rates
without hearing, hoping doubtless to
score point In their favor with the
people.
The st. Paul Pioneer Press IL au-
;thority for the statement that the say
ing to the farmers Of the state by this
reduction in the grain rate will be
from q, SOC, 900 to 100000 and that
Minnesota is not alone in securing the
benefit. as rates must necessarily be
reduced In North and South Dakota in
order to harmonic the freight SEIZED
0les.
! The letter written to tho railroad
and warehouse commission which
brought about the reduction in grain
rates should be read by every voter
1t IS given in full as follows:
Johnson's Letter to the Commission.
f''To the Railroad and Warehouse Com
mission:
If the statement concerning the re-
cent transactions before your honor
able body in the matter of the rate
hearing is correctly reported I think
IN opportunity is afforded you of Sc
curing immediate and considerable
benefit to large portion OF the people
Of this state.
1T appears that on the 18th inst.
IN accredited representative of the
three railway companies appeared be-
fore you and proposed to reduce the
rates on wheat and coarse grain
shipped from all parts of the state of
Minnesota in excess of 100 miles from
the terminal of their respective dis
lance 10 per cent from the tariff now
In force
THE proposal was, however, cou-
pied with the condition that the mer-
lchandise rates under discussion, so
far as they relate to the tariff now In
force on said lines of railway, shall be
continued in force and the proceed
)ngs with reference to the same shall
be dismissed.
! 1T further appears that representa-
eivss Of other roads objected to the
acceptance Of this proposal by the
commission upon the ground that the
pnect would be to disturb the rate on
I their roads. l think every one must
Il bgree that you were clearly right in
refusing to entertain the proposal Of
\ the three companies, but the fact hav-
q Ing been made. and the manner in
which It Yves presented suggests to-
my mind that we should be able to &C.
4 cure reduced rates on grain before the
= present crop Is moved without in any
manner interfering with the general
L Investigation Of rates now being made
]. by your board. =. .s az. .SSy:.4.: j.. =
\, fE gl"'By their own statement the three
{ companies can afford to ii '<:Ss< =. = +
i : Make 4 Material Reduction "
!. In grain rates and they should be com.
Delled to do It without delay '!z.. i : s*:
3 NJ HI The demand that the present n
Y luiry into rates be suspended could
not, OF course, be entertained, mas
z much as that proceeding IA in accord
;22@s ance with instruction given you by
the last legislature In e Joint resolu,-
ton; ii 2s - 8 3 al &.S r. ..s3. 5 IS /, 5$
There Is no reason for presuming
b that the inquiry being conducted be-
fore you will result IN any injustice
the railway comp nies oncerned.
+ IT should the courts are ! open ITO
N them for the purpose ~. having the
81 same corrected h and they should zbe
willing sto ar ides by5 the d cision 81 the
M same tribunal which passes not 5 only