Omaha daily bee., 1906-11-25
No Ambiguous Terms Wanted in Act 70
Guide Commission.
lew GOVERNORS FORMER BILL AS BASS
While some Changes May ne Necea-
ssry Proposed Measure - Here
Given May Be Found
Effective.


OTrom a Stan Corrcspondent)
! LINCOLN. Nov. 24-CSpecaL) )-Reports
/ brought IN by nembers-elect OF the state
/ legislature arc 10 the effect that numerous
bills will be introduced giving power TO tho
+ state Railway commission to do business
ana some apprehension has been expressed
lest the multiplicity OF bills result IN the
defeat OF the object aimed at by ell Of
them. Those who have expressed themselves
desire a measure, plain and to the point,
which will leave no doubt OF the intent OF
its provisions.
| During the last session of the legislature
Senator George L. Sheldon. now governor
eject introduced bill creating a railway
commission TO be composed of the governor,
the attorney general and the state treas
urer, and defining the duties OF this board
Because of the great power conferred upon
the commission the railroad lobby fought
the bill to its death. after It's author had
made gallant fight for its passage Az
a basis for a bill 10 be introduced this COM
ing session II has been suggested the Shell
Hdon bill is a good one At this time Gov
ernor-elect Sheldon would doubtless sue-
gest some changes in the details OF the
powers given the commission in his own
hill. owing to changed conditions, though
a whole It stnl meets his Ideas. The bill
introduced by Mr.. Sheldon and killed by
the senate is az follows with the slight
amendments made by the senate commit
tee:
A BILL
For an act TO regulate railroads to provide
for a railroad comm ission, to detne its
duties 10 confer certain powers thereon
and 10 provide for a penalty for the vio-
latton OF It's oruers and fGr the violation
os this act
BE It enacted by the legislature of the
state OF Nebraska:
urer and the attorney general OF this state
shall constitute railroad commission, or
4 which the governor shall be the presl-
Section "A majority OF the commission
SHAH constitute a quorum necessary Tor
tho transaction Of business. All questions
before the commission shall be decided
by g. majority vote.
Section 3-The railroad commission shall
meet at least once a month, and at such
pther times as may be necessary. for the
transaction Of such business as may prop,
tons. IT'S orders and its apdlngs The rec,
I'd OF tho cormission shall be open at all
mes for public inspection.
Section 4-Any. member OF the railroad
0nmissiou ~ ,.he seCrttHry Of sajd ccm-
isslon. shall have power 10 administer
ssct,on sh; 5-rbo term .rauroaa" n. used
this act. shall be construed to mean "A
ilroad company, or any person, persons.
m, company or corporation. engaged as
common carrier, or carriers. In the
lnsnortation af persons or properly by
from any point In the state of Ne
aska TO any other point within said
te.
Powers Defined.
eotion s-The railroad commission shall
70 % adopt such rules and regulations
may be necessary to transact the busl-
that max come before II.
To enforce the collection OF taxes de-
luent against any railroad.
TO Investigate and have general
ervaion over any and all railroads OF
- 10 inquire into the conducted manage
meHt OF the business OF any railroad.
g. To compel any and all railroads to hle
0 showing she classification Of freight and
j the rates and fares and charges for the
2 transportation OF persons and property, tina 1
2 are established and which are n force
u 6. To compel railroads to make annual
:, reports and TO furnish such other informa-
= ton ahd reports at any time as. may be
re2uired s1eh snnuai rePo5 oa ~ shn Spe
by the commission.
: To compel railroads TO construct such
side tracks OF reasonable length, 70 ele-
= Yators, to mills and to warehouses;, as may
be necessary for good service and for the
a s. To compel railroads 70 provide suitable
facilities for the accommodation and com
fort OF passengers and for the reception,
transportation and delivery Of property
3. To prevent competing lines OF rail-
le any combination that may eliminate com
na 10 TO hear Complaints to investigate tbs
'n same. and TO render such orders and find-
n. ings as may be just and equitable.
,e II. To require the attendance of wit
. nesses, and the production OF all books
L papers. tariffs, contracts. agreements and
he documents, relative to any matter under
~ ~ i2 10 prohibit rebates special rates and
IL determinations of every sort 20 any par
iicular person company firm, corporation
~ is 70 make all necessary rules and reg
10 ulations, as shall be necessary to requir,
al good certain. safe and efficient service
IS without favor. 70 any person, arm, cor
% poration or locality whatever; and to en-
n force the same.
e Control over Rates.
NJ a. To prevent unreasonable and unlaE
OF ] ful charges OF Whatever sort, and TO cnangi
a. alter or amend any & OF an Se5e5elss' dulles =
ut the rates, fares ana charges shall be rea
he certain rates are or may be N force a
- provided BY law In .which case the lesa
W. rates shall be Tes.ected.
IT. l6 To make such changes IN the sched
ules, time for the running OF trains, a
may be necessary 70 require safe goo
N ls TO enforce all laws OF the state reb,
~ tive to railroads that now exist or tha
may be hereafter enacted
at a. To resort TO all legal means within
the power Of the state 10 enforce the pru
section THE railroad commission shhl
be subject TO mandamus proeeedings, b
OF any one should IL fail OF neglect IN the leaa
20 10 assume or enforce the powers conferre
upon II by this act.
section S-The railroad commission ma
hi appoint a secretary az salary not to "a
OF ceed eighteen hundred dollars 0l-s0 an
,ed stenosrepher at a salary not eKceedin
'u eight hundred and forty dollars $50 ,,
lty annum. The secretary and stenographc
IRE shall hold ONCE during the pleasure Of th
Ii, commission ana shall perform such dutio
cH as said commission slaHll require.
he Section 9--The railroad commission sha
-eds publish an annual report, and shall max
a report 20 each regular session OF tn
legislature. and such other reports as ma
TX bo required by law or resolution OF eitht
.st branch OF the legislature.
section l0-Nothng ga this act shall pr
HA vent any one from bringing suit under n
ect laws OF tho state against any railroad; NJ
his shau it prevent any Ofhcer CO she stat
other than the railroad commission frol
sih taking such steps or sucn process Of la
bo rs may necessary ~ enforce or prevent u