Morris tribune., 1906-10-06

our present statutes. But before
doing so | insisted that the first
thing to do was to vigorously en- {:
{ force the laws we now have. !:
s.............. ......... .............
Among other things I said in my
speech at Kenyon and have since re-
peatedly insisted that There are al
ready on our statute books laws
which, when vigorously enforced, will
afford very substantial relief" and
added THAI "the vigorous enforcement
of our laws cannot be insisted upon
too strongly. Not only should there
be vigorous enforcement of our state
laws. but we should at all times en-
deavor to create public sentiment
which may insure the enforcement of
eur federal rate statutes"
This was in line with the senti-
ments expressed in a speech deliv-
cred last spring at Zumbrota, 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 citizen. 1t is this: Stop
scolding and get to work enforcing
the railroad laws we have unless you
can work and scold at the same
time"
But while hold this view and have
emphasized 1t wherever I have had
an opportunity to talk on the subject
Of railroad regulation to the people,
...............
! must emphatIcalIy dissent from !:
the position taken by Governor :
Johnson that the laws of Mime
3 sofa affecting railroads and rail- {:
road rates are both efficient and {:
3 sufficient" :
II that were the case and Governor
Johnson were as jealous for their en-
forcement as he processes to be, surely
In the twenty months that the duty
that ell the laws be enforced he could
have done something to secure relief
for the people from the heavy burdens
the railroads have put upon them.
But although he regards the laws
as efficient and sufficient" to afford
the people all necessary relief there
is no evidence that he ever sought to
apply them to secure that relief. We
have the authority of the railroad and
warehouse commission for stating
that Up to the middle of last August
Governor Johnson has never at any
time in the Office of the commission
Or at any other place conferred with
o. consulted the commission or any
member thereof In any matter pertain
Ing to the rate question, or to the rail-
ways of this state, nor has any COM
plant, either oral or written, or other
wise, come to the office of the commits
sion from the governor regarding the
matter of railroad rates or matters In
volving the supervision of the railways
of this state" Surely this should not
be the case IL our laws were efficient
and sufficient"
8 Perhaps in This connection it is
8 worth while to point out that up
to the present hour the people 4:
3 have had to pay az high rates az
/: the day the governor was inau-
/: gurated; that the Determinations
(: made then are made now, and
/: that every injustice which then
/: existed and which he has on sew
j: eraI occasions referred to at con-
/: siderable length, exists now.
. -. .sss.o I,
To use his own language, railroad |
conditions in Minnesota are as zap
palling" today as they were Jan. /,
1905, and the only relief we can GER |
tainly depend upon is that voluntarily |
offered US by the railroads themselves
acting under the pressure brought to
bear upon them by the board Of rail
road and warehouse commissioners.
In saying this do not forget that
the commissioners have ordered d. re-
adjustment of freight rates on mer-
which will include reduc-
ton of some 20 per cent in those rates.
But while this reduction has been or
Eered we are not warranted In con-
Guiding that all railroads will comply
With the order, although they may DO
70, and just here Is where | think one
new law Ii needed to strengthen our
system.
...............e.s.
! am firmly Of the opinion that
II would be merely simple justice
to the people Of the state, and at :
the same time fair to the railroads, /:
Stsat orders like this one for a re- !:
duetisn in rates8nade after pro
Ionged inquiry and investigation /:
and after the railroads had ample
time and opportunity to present
their eide of the case. should be-
come enforcible within reason
able time, TO be decided upon by
the cnnaxsaisafan. and should re.