The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1906-08-24
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STATE POLITICS.

sensation here this week was the
publication Of the communications OF
Mr.. A. w. Blakely of the Rochester
Post and Record, asking the state
board of railroad and warehouse COM
missioners what the governor had
done to enforce the laws in rail-
road determinations, and the answer
Of the commission through Mr..
Clausen. secretary Of the board. Mr..
Blakely was prompted to make his In
quiry in consequence of the governors
recent interview in q st. Paul paper,
In which he complained that the ship
pers were no; in his opinion receiving
Just and fair rates. He had read de-
liverances of the governor on the SUBJ
ject and knew that 1t was q common
opinion that the governor was the
dark horse" behind the complaints
to the railroad commissioners, as the
Minneapolis Journal put 1t last Sum
day. In order to satisfy himself as to
the status Of affairs he addressed
letter Of inquiry to the commission
asking specifically for information. as
to Just what the governor had done.
The answer was a complete surprise
to Mr.. Blakely, who l am told sup
ported johnson two years ago, and no
doubt as much of a surprise to others
in view of the fact that Mr.. Johnson
has made this subject the burden of
his speeches for at least year. 1t Is
stated most emphatically that the gov
ernor had done nothing whatever.
There are a whole lot Of people who
are finding it hard to reconcile the
governors talk with the apparent In
difference with which he seems to
have regarded the railroad question
practically.
The selection Of Mr.. Manahan, the
attorney of the Minnesota Shippers
association, who is prosecuting the
rates cases which are now under con-
sideratiop by the board OF railroad
and warehouse commissioners, as one
of the representatives Of the party at
the reception OF william Jennings
Bryan when he arrives Tn New York
Is considered political move to try
and convince the people that the ad-
ministration is In sympathy with the
shippers In their fight. This little BY
play may be intended to accomplish
q double purpose. that OF creating tho
Impression alluded to and OF placatins
somewhat Mr.. Mammalian himself, who.
It seems, has felt a little fattered at
the suggestion of his name for attor-
ney general and who rumor~has It tho
administration has decided that 1t
could not stand for. Sending him to
New York would get clear OF him Tor
q couple of weeks at an opportune
time and would be q recognition OF
him Of which his friends could not
complain while they sidetracked him
for the position where he might be
"bull IN tho. china shop" such. for in
stance, - Williams has been In the
labor bureau
The railroad rate cases before the
board OF railroad and warehouse CON-
missfonars took q rather sensational
turn this week. After the hearings
had been adjourned to g1vs the attoz-
ney OF the Minnesota shfpperS asso-
citation an opportunity to examine tho
books Of the railroads for Information
as to rebates, etc., the Great North
ern. Northern Pacific and the Soc
Joined in q proposition for oompro-
mise II proposed that II the rate
cases were dismissed the roads would
mako a voluntary reduction tn grain
rates OF 10 per cent from the pub
iished tariff rates at the present time
This was Intended as q SOP to the
farmers and It was thought that It
would catch everybody. Mr.. stickney,
however. took hand TN the game and
punched q Lot of holes In the scheme.
BY the way. Mr.. Sticknsy has come to
the front In late years as q progressive
and liberal railroad man He "a in
class by himself IN such matters. He
has impressed upon the public the con-
viction that he IS fair and broad mind
ed and that he is tired of the intrigue
ing and hoodwtnking that Is done by
some of his brother officials. Mr..
6tickney pointed out the woodchuchs
In the scheme, one of which was the
limited territory over which the re-
duction was to operate and another
that tho scheme did not say In fact
what It purDorted to say on its face;
and he proved his statements by CALI
ing officials Of the roads mentioned to
the stand The. compromise went
down In heap and the hearings will
be continued
''%%- ,.-,s5 p. ~.
y The proddmg which Governor john
son has been submitted to has at last
Weakened him up and he has written
to the board of railroad and ware
house commissioners asking them to
do something. He wants the commits
sion to enforce the grain rates Of the