The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1906-08-22
GOV. JOHNSON AND THE MERGER.

er roads are now being man
aged and operated in defiance
of the decisions of the courts
and contrary to the rights and
interests of the people of Min
nesota."
Gov. Johnson admits the Dis
patch's opinion is correct, but
declares that he cannot see his
way clear to act on the eve of
campaign, which might be
taken for spectacular purposes
only.
Further he says the country
is now in possession of a new
federal rate control bill, with
additional relief in the shape
of an investigation by the Min
nesota railway and warehouse
commission looking toward a
cut in freight rates. Aside, he
says, the laws do not clothe
him with any authority which
might permit the bringing of
any action but it does clothe
him with the right of removal
and it will be exercised if any
official or board is derelict in
the enforcing of the statutes
of the state.
Today Gov. Johnson gave to
the Dispatch the following in
terview covering his views on
the merger situation and the
general knowledge that such
is still in existence as far as it
concerns the Great Northern
and Northern Pacific roads.
AS a member Of the legisla-
ture | cheerfully voted to APP
propriate $4,000 to employ
counsel to assist in the prose
cution of the cases against the
Northern Secu1i les company,
the existence of which was de-
clared to be in direct violation
of the tate laws. Under like
circumstance | should do sc
again.
LAS every one knows, that
litigation was fought through
the federal courts to success
full termination The Northern
Securities company was dis
solved by decee of the United
States supreme court and pas
sed out of existence.
"The statement that a com
bination between the two
roads involved in that litiga
ton continues to exist, may be
true. Indeed, there are many
circumstances connected with
the management of the roads
which indicate that it is true
This may be true and the state
have no remedy.
The federal supreme courts
having already held that the
stockholders of one company
could lawfully acquire by in
dividual purchase a majority
or even the whole stock, of the
other company, and thus legal
ly obtain it's ultimate control
Under this decision the rem
edy appears to lie in the ad
ministration of laws for the
regulation of rates of trans
portation, and authority Is
given to both the state boarC
of railway and warehouse com
missoners and the Interstate
Commerce commission to re
gulate and control rates O
transportation on these anC
other systems
I'm view of the recent enact
ment of a national rate law
and in view of the fact tina
: the state board of railway an'
warehouse commissioner
have begun the work of re
gulation, it does not appear t
me proper, on the eve of poll
teal campaign, to do som
spectacular thing which Nigh
not bring desired results.
am in hearty accord wit
any movement looking to
betterment of the situation
and while governor will en-
: deavor not only to secure tn
enforcement of the laws of thi
state, but to secure their er
|. forcement in such manner a
will procure the most lastin
and permanent benefit to tn
= people.
Il am convinced that tn
great body of the shippers {
s. our state are not receiving tn
rates of transportation t
which they are entitled.
II am officially informe
that the board of railway an
d warehouse com lSSSOnGI