The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-10-25
CANDIDATES ARE
GIVING PLEDGES
SHIPPERS ASSOCIATION HEARS
FROM MANY LEGISLATORS.
Has Affirmative Replies Already from
SO, Who Are Declared in Favor Of
the Associations Program of Re-
form Legislation Those Who Refuse
Stir UP Opposition.

It now seems likely that a majority
of the members Of the next legislature
will be pledged in writing to the pro-
gressive Legislation demanded by the
Minnesota Shippers and Receivers as
ISOLATION.
Postal cards were printed some
weeks ago and placed in the hands of
business men all over the state, mem
bers of the association. They carried
the following list of questions:
Do you favor '.jail sentence for rail-
| road rebaters?
Are you in favor of reciprocal demur-
rage3
Do you believe in the La Toilette prin-
| ciple of basing railroad rates on the act
4 ual cost Of construction Of the road, plus
1 legitimate operating expenses and a fair
rate of interest on this valuation of the
property? 5 ST.
Are you in favor Of 2-cent passenger
rate7 ~ s. - 81 -
Do you favor the adjustment Of free
passes? y
Do you favor the revision of the state
tax laws?
Do you favor the extension Of the pri-
mary system of election to state officials?
These cards were not sent to candi-
dates, but put in the hands of voters,
didates for the legislature in their dis
tricts. When filed out, they are mailed
to the headquarters in St. Paul. Re
plies are rolling in every day, and
there are now ninety-three signed cards
on hand. Most Of them show affirma-
tive answers to every question. A
good many skip the last question, but
the association Is not so strenuous on
the direct primary as it is on the rail
road questions, At the rate replies
are coming in, it seems certain that a
majority Of the members elected will
be pledged in writing to the general
program Of reform legislation.
| Refusals Bring Trouble.
When a candidate refuses to sign
the fact is at once reported, and mem
bers Of the association in his district
are notified. They take the matter W
at once, and usually get after the can
didate in the newspapers. This pres
sure frequently brings reluctant sig
nature. When the candidate refuses
the voters are given plainly to under
stand that he is opposed to the meas
ures named. xy.
Cards have been given to the candi
have responded. Both A. L. Cole AM
John A. Johnson have answered
"yes' to every one Of the seven ques
tions. Replies from others on bot
tickets have arrived, and more ar
; promised. Yesterday thirteen signe,
: cards were sent in by legislative nomi
nees, and more rolled in today.
} The object of the work is set fort]
in one Of the circular letters sent b,
: George S. LOTUS of St. Paul, commits
i sioner Of the association, to members
/ He says:
) "The shippers association in it's 81
forts to relieve the common people i
some measure from the many burden
l some exactions of the railroads, fee
that the relief sought can be obtaine
, only thru additional legislation and e.
/ ecutive action making our laws NOR
9 :' defective and sufficient and there
8 by establishing public control and reg
ulation of rates. To that end the al
t ISOLATION has sought to obtain assul
e ances from present candidates for tn
: legislature that they will favor specif
!. action on important subj ects bearin
. which is admittedly bad."' -. ...-.
0 The attitude Of the association tt
n ward candidates who will not answe
h is shown in another letter to men
: Der, relating to two candidates VIII
have failed to respond. It says:
= Checking Up Reluctant Ones.
We have received no answer from tn
q candidates Of your legislative district t
d the questions on the enclosed card.
y wish you would talk with them in regar
d to this matter and let me know the re
r suit. It is quite important to learn
/, the earliest possible moment their att
i tude on the questions presented Fl
e some years past these men have been re
J. garded as being very friendly to railroad
It and corporations. If this is correct til
e people in their district should not hes
|, tate. regardless Of party politics, to dc
; feat them at the polls. I know that 70
will appreciate the spirit in which th
suggestion Is made.
z I expect to secure for the people of TIL
state some very desirable railroad legis
). lation during the coming session Of tt
legislature and will need all the assist
ance can get from the people who al
r. opposed to government by the raj
o roads. believe It to be. the duty of tt
4 voters to select men for the legislatu,
q who will vote and work for the peopl
- and cooperate with and assist US an
r. not the railroads, as many of the legis
j. 1ators have been known to do in the pas
y If you think. best we will have a ma
o visit every voting precinct In your di:
# trict and oppose candidates who refus
9 to declare themselves in favor of IL