The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-25
COLE Rep LIES TO
JOHNSON OF SPEECH ? E.
MAINTAINS THIS STATEMENT
THAT MORE LAWS ARE NEEDED.
Republican Candidate insists that Eff
/. Elective Enforcement Of the Law
Should Be Supplemented by Some
Amendments Under Present Law,
Rate Reductions May Be Delayed.

A. L. Cole, republican candidate for
governor, took issue with Governor
johnson last evening in, speech before
the Roosevelt club Of St. Paul. He
with the exception of a demurrage law,
our present railroad laws were "both
efficient and sufficient and once more
stated his position on the question,
clearly and emphatically. In the course
Of his speech, Mr.. Cole said:
My attention has been called to that part
Of Governor Johnson's speech in which he criti-
cizes me for proposing as solution Of the
railway-rate question the adoption of new laws.
will find that his charge is not quite fair 1t
Is true I advised the enactment Of new laws to
strengthen our present statutes. But before do
ing I insisted that the first thing to do was
to vigorously enforce the laws we now have.
Among other things I said in my speech at
Kenyon, and have since repeatedly insisted. that
there already on our statute books laws
which, when vigorously enforced, will afford
very substantial relief" and I added that 1.-The
vigorous enforcement Of our laws cannot be in
sisted upon too strongly. Not only should there
be vigorous enforcement of our state laws, but
we should at all times endeavor to create pub
lie sentiment which may insure the ENFORCE
ment OF our federal rate statutes" -..s .,
This was in line with the sentiments I ex-
pressed In q speech delivered last spring at
Aumbrota7 wherein said, among other things:
NOW l have receipt for existing railroad
evils. and I will give it to everybody, from
Governor johnson down to the humblest citi-
zen. 1t is this Stop scolding and get to work
enforcing the railroad laws we have. unless
you can work and scold both at the same time"
But while hold this view and have empha-
sized it wherever 1 have had an opportunity to
talk on the subject of railroad regulation to
the people, I must emphatically dissent from
tak nv 1ohn
the laws Of Minnesota affecting railroads and
railroad rates are both efficient and sufficient.
1t that were the case and Governor johnson
were as jealous for their enforcement as he
processes to be, surely in the twenty months
that the duty has devolYed upon him to take
care that all the laws &be6 enforced he could
have done something to secure relief for the
people from the heavy burdens the railroads
have put upon them.
Hasn't Invoked the Laws.
But, altho he regards the laws as deficient
and sufficient to afford the people all neces
sary relief, there is no evidence that he ever
| sought to apply them to secure that relief
We have the authority of the railroad ant
warehouse commission for stating that up tt
the middle Of last August "Governor johnson
has never at any time. in the office OF the com
mission or at any other place, conferred with o.
consulted the commission any member there
of in any matter pertaining to the rate ques
| ton or to the railways Of this state, nor ha
i any complaint, either oral or written or other
wise. cGme TO- the office, OF The commission
from. the governor regarding the matter of rail
road rates matters involving the supervision
| Of the railways of this state" Surely thi
should not be the case II our laws were Jeff
| cient and sufficient"
| Perhaps in this connection it's worth Will
| to point out that up to the present hour tn
| people have had to pay high rates tn
| day the governor was fnaugurated; that tn
| determinations made then are made now, an
1 Mat S,1 e{N1 on
which he has on several. occasions referred t
| at considerable length, exists now. To use hi
| own language, railroad conditions in Minnesot
| are as appalling today as they were Jan.
1906 and the only relief we can certainly d.
pend upon is that voluntarily offered US by til
railroads themselves acting under the pressur
| brought to bear upon them s,by;4 the board 9
| railroad and warehouse commissioners.
Z SnReducttou May Be Fought. - ::
& In saying this /. do not forget that the con
missioners have ordered a reimbursement {
| freight rates on merchandise which will includ
q reduction Of some 20 per cent in these rate!
But, while this reduction has been ordered, W
| are not warranted in concluding that all raj
roads win COMPLY with this order, altho the
may do so, and just here is where I think on
rev law is needed to strengthen our system.
am firmly of the opinion that it would be merel
simple Justice to the people Of the state, an
at the same time fair to the railroads, tina
orders like this one for reduction in rates
made after, prolonged inquiry and investigate
and after the railroads had ample time an
opportunity to present their side Of the case
should become eenforcable within a. reasonabl
time, to be decided upon by the commission
and should remain in force until modified
overturned by the courts. And. yaltho the GOV
ernor thinks such a law unnecessary
wish to point OUT that the position have take
IN this matter was sustained by the democrat
In convention assembled when in their pla
form 1t is declared that 1--WE demand additions
legislation regulating the rate charged by til
railroads to the end that complaint
from d patron Of such common carrier be give
speedy and adequate attention and prompt relic
granted" -
Other; Legislation Needed,
So far from regarding our railroad laws
deficient and sufficient" think, in additio
to the reform have mentioned and to facilita1
L and not delay the relief justly demanded b
4 the people the pdbltc interest requires, as
have alreRdy pointed out: 81 RsSS
Flrst---The passage&of law providing for
iafr sentence for rebaters. = -
Second-Tne passage of law for the abolitic
Of the pass system. 80
Third-The passage Of law for the reductic
Of passenger rates to cents a mile.
I Fourth-The: passage Of proper and sufficiel
demurrage laws, : ..- -. -. -. ---.-
Fifth-The passage Of a law to prevent Il
abuse of the priyate-car system.
! Sixth-Thes passage Of law specifically a
thorizing the railroad and warehouse commissit
to determine the actual value Of railroad pro
erty with view to- such value being used as
basis for railroad rates.
Seventh-The passage of such laws as a,