Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1906-08-28

|NUST MAKE
REPORTS
l,,vof 1885 C0mpelS II
N the Governor Will
Enforce Ii

Id OlNSS
,,s5 a law was passed requir-
.,,r railroad in the state to file
1. secretary of state an annual
,hoving the amount of busi-
r,psacted, the value OF its
tos. the receipts and expedi-
md the physical condition of
"A together with much other
ant information. This law,
still in force, has been ig-
hr the past eight years. Gov
chamberlain now proposes to
s,t the law is enforced and he
rouested Secretary of State
!, TO notify every railroad in
\ that unless the reports are
inning steps will be taken to
me penalties prescribed by the
every failure on the part of. a
kad TO file the annual report of
N,uess the law provides a pen
4 not less than $4,000 and not
than 10000. Ror every false
BY a railroad there is a fur
Depalty of not less than $4,000
more than $4,000, or imprison-
Of the offending officials for
Two to five years.
Has Investigated Law.
4 atention of Governor Cham
an was called recently to this
ten law and a careful investi-
d Of the statute was made. The
nOr has satisfied himself that
av is still in effect, and that as
aates chief executive he is in
bound to enforce it to the let
Such enforcement will have a
zal effect on relations between
public and transportation COM
s The principle is firmly set
that common carriers are sub
10 control and regulation by. the
b that charges must be reason
kM without discrimination and
GA fixing of rates and fares Is
10 the power of the legislature.
new interstate commerce law
goes so far as to empower the
FnissOn to require that accounts
alroads shall be kept in a GER.
way so that the commission
know exactly what expendi-
are for, and that statements
N be juggled. This is, it is said,
hy important with the obtaining
The statements themselves, for
s the items are known which
up the different accounts it
Va be difficult to arrive at the
earning capacity of the road.
Is therefore necessary that the
condition, receipts and expen-
pes Of railroads operating In this
H be known, and from what
E@ the revenues are derived, in
n TO fairly consider the matter
ssonableness of fare and rates.
ls been claimed that some roads
|FegOn are earning 20 to 80 per
on the investment, besides pay
al fixed charges, renewals and
|Atenance.
Governor Talks of Law.
"a recent conversation the gov
y said:
les expect to enforce the law
'Afng the railroads to give an
statements of their business.
''tention was called a few days
70 the fact that the railroad
I not complying with the law and
once made an investigation
y is no question that the law is
u iorce and that 1t Is the duty
very railroad doing business In
Won to make these annual reports
4e secretary of state. This has
been done.
asve therefore written to Sec
!! Of State Dunbar, calling hii
's''on to the matter and request
-in TO call upon the railroads te
! reports. In my letter / SAID
I IL
the railroads failed or refus
|" comply with the law l woult
axe steps to enforce the penal
prescribed. My letter was writ
.Hoay and probably has not ye
80 Mr.. Dunbar, as / understand
Nay"
~ years prior to the passage II
0' an act creating the Oregon
'a'iway commission. the legis
passed a law requiring al
l. 80 companies operating In thf
70 make certain annual report
~ ~. secretary of state. In the &C
~" creating the railway com
section 20 gave the boar,