Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1906-10-26
Exocufivo,8 Letter. % tho Railroad Com.
mission the Direct Means 81 Forcing
Reduction IN Grain and
Merchandise Rhfo6.
.I0hn6on,6 Administration Ha6 Saved the
Farmers Of the State More Than
$4,000, 600 ANNUALLY III Lowa,.
Charges Nv Railroads.

readjustment to secure a substantial
reduction in the existing merchandise
rates."
This resolution was approved by
Governor Johnson April IA, 1905.
Under the authority of this resolu-
ton the railroad and warehouse COM
mission employed an expert to obtain
the real value of railway properties in
the state and issued an order for a
hearing on merchandise rates. This
nearing had been in progress for some
IA months when three railway compa-
MES of the state sought to stop the M
vestigation by proposing compro-
mise agreement of which we will speak
later. In tho meantime Gov. johnson
had employed an expert statistician
to prepare for him a comprehensive
table OF railroad freight rates be-
tween stations on all the roads within
the state. He made an especial study
Of railroad matters and on every &C.
casion sought to educate public SEN
timent to assist in the work of rate
reduction. in speech delivered be-
fore the Merchants Club in Chicago
on February 1S, 1905, which was at
tended by e. number of the greatest
railroad presidents III the country, he
said:
mo corporation should be permitted
by law to issue a share of stock that
does not stand for paid-in cash and
certified to by state cxa1nination Every
dollar invested in commercial enter
prise should earn fair profit and
every investor Is entitled to fair rate
of interest on his investment. But it
is not entitled to a rate of interest and
profit on stock which has no capital
basis.
added to the gross misuse Of fran
chise privileges, railways are guilty
Of the still worse crime Of discrimina-
ton. Is it wonder that the President
has taken up the war Of the people to
regulate transportation charges? Is It
a wonder thst governors of states and
legislatures are stirring themselves 10
correct the evil? E
'The corporation based on an inflat-
ed value complains Of confscation
when the matter of governmental con-
troll is suggested. ;. Governmental con-
troll is coming and the people who op-
pose 1t want to remember that the
pendulum has been too long on the
one side. When it comes back it may
swing as far to the other side.
Railway interests want to bear in
mind that If governmental con-
troll Is too earnestly resisted, gov
eminent ownership is apt to follow,
WHICH WOulu De sui more unQeSlraDlS,
at least from their standpoint"
lis it not time that the law of the
land was invoked for the protection Of
the common citizen, instead Of for such
corporations and such practices? Is it
not tims tina: the functions of govern
ment were employed for more legiti-
mate uses? Is it not time the author
ity of the nation is exercised to pre-
vent, instead Of to protect, such dis
elimination and special privilege?
Rate discrimination, monopoly of nat
ural resources, fictitious capitalization,
special tariff bounties and Transports
ton rebates have been promoted under
the cloak of law until the public con-
science is in revolt"
His next utterance on this subject
was before the Minnesota State Edi-
torial Association in Minneapolis, on
Feb. II. 1908. at which time he made
a flat declare ton favor;ng the two cent
passenger rate for all the people of the
state Of Minnesota, pledging himself
to make such recommendation to the
legislature of 1907. This was the first
declaration Of any executive Of Ihe
state for this much needed reduction in
passenger fares.
In a speech delivered before the
State Municipal League at st. Paul on
Jan. 10, 1906. he took advanced ground
duction Of rates and among other
things, said.
One Of the greatest problemsNof the
present time, end one of the most vital
concern to the people represented by
you, is that OF railway transportation
and the regulation, or rather the secur-
ing OF proper tariff rates for the same.
The nation is astir today and the eyes
Of all the people are conferred upon.
the Congress- Of the United States,
waiting with breathless interest to see
whether the great representative Of the
the people shall have the hearty sup
port and concurrence Of the Congress-
Of the United States in his laudaole
effort to secure the right Of the peo-
pie to regulate the 1ateA Of transporta-
ton. On every hand we hear the COM
mon cry that there is no remedy in the
law. On every hand we hear the cry
that 1t Is not q proper function Of
government to control and regulate
common carriers. On every hand we
hear the cry that tho sacred right Of
contract cannot be impaired. We are
met constantly with the claim that the
vested and chartered right OF the corr
porattons cannot beaaseatled, regulated
Or abridged. Fortunately the Bnited'
decision that the experimenting pow
er over the highways and the charges
upon the public for their use always
remain In the government. This il not
only its indefeasible right, but Is neces-s
sary for tina protection Of the people
against extortion and abuse. These
positions we deem to be incontroberti-
BILE. Indeed. they are adjudged the
law in the decisions CT this court. rail-.
roads and railroad corporations are 81
this category. Il this decision OF the
CONT she true. certainly the s,nvarnr,a,tl
which has the right TO confer charter.
which has the right to dispose of thu
public domain. which has the right 10
c6SAt 15eat privileges upon : corpora
1leEislatl g. - Joint Rsso lution Catp-S