The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1906-11-02
Governor Did Not Give
Help to Shippers.
BAG KED UP IN r. E MORNING
Was Requested to Join in a Move.
ment TO Get R, duction in Rates;
Rosing's Part.
IFRoM THE MINNEAPOLIS JOURNAL

Is Governor Johnson in earnest on
the railroad-late question? When he
talks about the robbery of extortion-
ate rates and the need for reductions,
does he mean business or is he only
talking to the galleries?
These questions are suggested by Il
statement of facts furnished the repub
lican state committee and given out for
publication by the committee today.
The story is vouched for by responsible
men and shows how the governor backed
out when he was offered golden oppOr
tunity to do something in the line of
rate reform. to back up his words with
deeds and be an actual leader in the
movement. The governor made an cX
--use for his inaction which seemed to
these gentlemen trivial at the time, but
an the light of later events they think
L has the color of subterfuge rather
than craftsmanship.
Last January the Minnesota Munich
pa, and Commercial League held its an
nual session in st. Paul, meeting on the
9th. 10th and llth. This body is an as
ISOLATION of business men of the smaller
cities of the state, joined for mutual in
terests, and has for one of its main OBJ
Jects the correction of railroad rate eX
tortions and determinations. Governor
johnson made an address before the
league the evening of Jan. TO- That
speech has been one of his strong cam
paign documents ever since. 1t was "a
general comparison of Minnesota rates
with those of Iowa. like several that had
already been made by others. II showed
Minnesota rates much higher on mer
chandise. grain and coal, and advocated
reduction that would give Minnesota
people a square deal.
After the address the governor was
the recipient of many congratulations.
Several members of the league who had
been active in rate matters for some
time went together to the governor, con-
graduated him on the speech and made
Il proposition to him. They suggested
that Il resolution should be passed by
the league next day directing the chair
man to appoint a committee to wait OH
the state railroad commission, present
some of the facts detailed in the COVER
nor's speech and make formal complaint,
asking for wholesale reduction in
rates, not only on merchandise but on
grain, coal lumber and other commodi-
ties. They suggested that the COVER
nor be named in the resolution as
chairman of the committee and that he
should appear in person with the rest of
the committee and present the COM
plant.
Governor johnson replied at once that
it was a splendid idea; that he was in
hearty sympathy with the proposition
and would serve with pleasure on the
committee. He thanked them for the
offer and assured them of his co-opera-
ton. With that assurance the delega-
ton left him.
Rosing Called 1t Off.
Next morning early, however, they
were called on by l.. A. Rosing, president
of the league, Governor Johnson's APP
pointee on the state board of control,
and one of his managers in the proceed
ing state campaign. Mr.. Rosing told
them that he had come from Governor
Johnson to ask them not to offer the re-
solution. He said the governor had
spoken rather hastily in accepting, and
had Il reason why he preferred not to
serve on such committee at this time.
He had an expert employed, making
secret investigation of freight rates,
from which he expected important re-
suits. To appear in general complaint
at this time might embarrass him in OBJ
tanning the object of his investigation.
One of the delegation remarked that
l.. Ill l., <.