The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-03-31
before all other present

prominently before all other present
questions. ~ /
In Ohio a reform legislature has
recently passed two cent fare bill
and the railroads of that state are
now restricted to the maximum
charge of two cents per mile ON all
passenger travel within the state. In
Iowa really and truly live railroad
commission long ago established a
maximum freight schedule. on ship
ments within the state, which reduc-
ed the railroad tax on the people
of Iowa to two-thirds of the average
per mile of road for the whole Unit
ed States.
The example is stimulating, and
railroad commissions Oike judges and
legislators), realizing the emphatic
message from the people and seeing
the handwriting on the wall, are
making haste to at least make show
Of their fidelity to the peoples in
terests.
Minnesota has been, is still today
corporation ridden state; but it's
railroad commission is also bestirring
itself. 1t has suggested to the rail,
roads of the state a general substan-
tial reduction in freight charges and
a two cent passenger fare.
The enormous earnings of the
railroads, which permit them to pay
twice a legitimate return on three
times an over-capitalization and still
pile up huge annual surplus, is it's
warrant for the former; the universal
demand for cheaper passenger travel
for the people is authority for the
latter.
Railroad presidents, managers and
attorneys are rushing to the rescue
and painting the customary lurid pic
lures of ruin" which is their stock
III trade whenever corporate rapacity
is threatened with a check. The
railroads themselves are endeavorine
to forestall action by the commission
on the passenger rate matter by offer
ing to issue 5000 mile mileage books,
good within the state, at two cents
per mile.
But of what good is a 5000 mile
mileage book. to the masses of the
people? What ordinary individual
can afford to invest one hundred dol
lars in mileage book good for one
year to travel within the states Not
one in hundred. 1t is simply SOP
thrown to the large commercial
houses which employ commercial
travellers and are already favored in
devious ways at the expense of the
people generally.
1t is the people who want two cent
fares and not the great mercantile
emporiums. The laborer, the farm
err, the ordinary citizen who wishes to
travel from place to place within the
state-to go to the next town and
take his family, to visit the county
seat, or the capitol, or Duluth, the
states great gateway to the sea-is
the one who wants the two cent fare.
He doesn't care to wait for an excur-
sion or excursion rates either. He
wants the privilege Of going and COM
ing on reasonable basis when the
spirit moves him and he wants it as
matter of right and not as matter
of speculation or favor of the rail-
roads. The average American thinks
he ought to be placed in at least as
favorable a situation in this regard
as his Oppressed" brother on the
continent of Europe.
There should therefore be no "iug-
Cling with the proposition. Give the
people two cent fare and bring the
freight rates down to reasonable
basis! There must be an end to ille-
ultimate favors to the railroads. It
is now the nnOn1o'c H;pp;,,n,,