The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1906-12-21

CoHlIHlSSlOuorB OI SOuJn DdkOCa mas
been furnished by w. H. Stanley of
Sioux Falls, secretary of the board.
1t Is shown by the report that ware
house licenses to the number of 1,028
were issued during the fiscal year end
ing June 80 last. This is an increase
OF 157 over the previous year, and an
increase of 189 over 1904.
The taxes paid by the railroad COM
panies with lines in South Dakota dur
ing the year ending June 80 last a.
mounted to 1897, ,72O06, an increase Of
$13,o0205 over the previous fiscal
year
1t is recommended by the railroad
commissioners that the legislature en-
act law requiring grade crossings to
be protected by interlocking and de-
railing appliances at all points where,
in the judgement of the commission,
the safety Of the public demands it.
The legislature also Is recommended to
enact law making it unlawful for
any railroad company to permit any
railroad conductor, engineer, fireman,
brakeman or other employe actually
engaged in the running or operation
OF trains to work longer than sixteen
consecutive hours out Of every twenty
four.
Electric Roads.
1t is pointed out in the report that
the rapid development of electric rail-
roads is forcing new question upon
the board of railroad commissioners
in this state. The statute under which
the board exists restricts it's jurisdic-
ton to roads operated by steam
(street railroads excepted). In this
connection the report says:
"A few states have already placed
electric roads under the authority of
its railroad commissioners in respect
to the matter of crossing other roads,
but in general there is no law for
railroads using horse, mule, cable or
electric power and designated as
street railways, and another for those
empoying steam power, as in our state.
Now that street railways are expand
ing into interurban roads giving pas
senger and freight service over ex-
tended lines and Offering similar
service to that of the steam roads,
1t Is found that the laws should be
changed to meet the new conditions.
"A notable example of the extension
OF electric lines within our state is
the comparatively recent transforma-
tion OF the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy line between Deadwood and
Lead from a steam railway into an
electric line. In case the commission
was asked to allow an electric road to
cross the tracks of steam road at
grade, the question would at once a.
rise, Has the commission the author
ity to do SOP The law as it now is
giving the commission only general
supervision over all roads operated
by steam. The law should be SO a.
mended as to give the commission
general supervision over all railroads
or railways operated by steam or elec-
trio power, street railways only ex-
cepted."
The board recommends the enact
ment Of laws empowering the COM
to direct railroad companies
to construct either overhead or un-
or to place electric bells
highway crossings, where, in the judg
ment Of the members Of the board, 1t
is considered necessary or proper for
the safety of the public.
Reports on Accidents.
The railroad commissioners recon-
mend the enactment of law similar
to that of wisconsin directing that in
the event Of railroad acci0ent within
the limits of South Dakota, the rail-
road company upon whose lines the
accident occurs shall Immediately no
tify the commissioners, who, under
the proposed new law, would have
authority to conduct an investigation
as to the cause of the accident and
Ak the blame where it properly be-
onged.
Owing to the uncertainty of the au-
thority of the railroad commissioners
in cases where 1t is desired to have
tracks constructed at
points where the lines Of different
railroad companies intersect, SO as to
permit the transfer from the track
of another of loaded and empty cars
designed for transportation upon both
roads, the commissioners ask the en-
of laws authorizing the board
10 order the construction Of such con.
Meeting tracks and definitely prescrib-
ng the procedure In such cases.
It Is recommended in the report that
sufficient laws be enacted making it
for any railroad company to
close or abandon any passenger or
freight station, or to remove the sta
ion building from any station, or to
an agent from any station
where an agent has once been en-
ployed, without first obtaining the
Sela Helmer and Thomas Brown.
he first horse thieves that have been
lrroSt0d In thiS cocfion for MANY