Omaha daily bee., 1906-01-16
RATE QUESTION CONES NEXT
Governor Mickey Says PsOpl. Must Remain
Alive 10 the Issue.
AGRICULTURAL BODIES m SESSION
supreme Court Meets Today and it 10
Thought Decision I'm the Grain
Rate Question May he
Handed Down.
(From a STAN Correspondent

FTOm n StaH correspondent
LINCOLN. Neb.. Jan. L.-(Special. y
THE next problem for the republicans OF
Nebraska to solve is the freight rate ques-
ton. 1t will be one Of the important
questions before the next legislature and
must be met"
Governor Mickey made the above state
ment this morning in discussing the needs
Of the state and the problems that would
have a bearing on the next state cam
paign.
The railroad tax case is out OF the way
now; the grain cases are in the court and
the next problem is the freight rate ques-
ton. / have read the platform adopted
by the people OF Kansas at their freight
rate convention and indorse what was done
1t shows the people Of Kansas are alive
90 the situation. What affects Kansas in
the way of freight rates also affects Me-
braska, as the conditions are practically
the same.
1T may be possible that such a conven-
ton will be held in Nebraska. These ques-
tons must be solved and must be dis
cussed thoroughly before the proper method
OF solution is discovered.
Nebraska must not stop now that 1t
has been proven that its state board has
n right to assess railroads at their proper
value. but must go ahead. The people
must take charge of their affairs and run
them. campaign of education must be
waged and the people must be aroused to
the condition that confronts them"
In discussing the tax suit Governor Mick
ey said:
TOO much credit cannot be given the
special committee that framed the revenue
law and the legislature that enacted Il.
Deputy Attorney General Thompson Is the
man who moved the adoption OF the amend
ment which provided that the state board
should take into consideration in arriving ut
the value Of railroad property the stocks
and bonds. the net earnings and the fran
chise. and that amendment proved a won
derful aid TO the board as well as TO At
torney General Brown in his defense OF tho
states interests. when that amendment
was proposed by Mr.. Thompson it was
charged that he was acting for the rail
roads. but that very section proved the I'M
doing of the roads case"
When Mr.. Thompson made his motion for
the adoption OF the amendment Representa-
tive Caldwell was advocating the adoption
OF an amendment providing that the stock
and bond theory should be used in deter
mining the value Of railroad property. This
amendment was lost and the Thompson
amendment was adopted. Mr. Thompson
las been the recipient of many congratula-
lions during the last few days. as has At
torney General Brown, who conducted the
states case
Tho decision OF Judge Munger" said
Governor Mickey shows that Nebra ska
has an able attorney general and a man
who has the courage of his convictions Tie
made a noble fight for the state and de-
serves great credit"
AEricuIturists In Session
Organized agriculture is in session al
Lincoln and will continue throughout the
week. the meeting proper beginning to-
morrow. Owing to the snow and delayed
trains many of those who are expected
hay enot yet reached the city, but the in
dications are that by tomorrow night LIN
coin will be crowded. President Mellor OF
the State Board of Agriculture is here as
is Secretary Bassett. and 1t is expected
that large part of the membership on the
board will be here by tomorrow night
This afternoon and tomorrow the com
mittee on premium revision will ne ir
session at the Lindell hotel and those who
are interested are urged to attend tn,
meetings and make suggestions.
Today the only meeting scheduled was tn,
association OF agricultural students ai,t
81 held at the state farm. At thi,
meeting President r. II. Searle of Edgar
delivered his annual address and at tn,
night session F.. A. Burnett, dean Of III,
agricultural college. spoke
Tomorrow afternoon in addition 10 tn,
other meetings. the State Board OF Agri
culture will meet in the senate chamber