Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-02-23
In MINNESOTA.

ST. Paul, Feb II Two+cent passen-5
ger fares scored temporary victory
lin both houses Of the legislature yes
Iterday Those who feared the meas
Iures were to be engulfed in commit
tee, were reassured. by the time the
days legislative labors we're over.
The senate railroad committee de-
clared for the Peterson two-cent fare:
bill, and recommended It for passage;
and the house committee, in short
and lively executive session, appointed
a special committee to draft two
cent fare bill, which will be reported
out to the house within a few days.
The action Of the senate committee
was some what OF a surprise. Attor-
/ neys appeared before the committee
| in public hearing in the senate
chamber yesterday afternoon, and it,
was not expected that the committee
would take any decisive action at
once. Following the public hearing,
however, the committee held a closed
session, and ended the Peter;
son atwo-cent maximum bill for pas
Esage. ~ $ss
L In the house the tWo-cent PROPOSE
ton held the main interest Of the
morning session of the house; and the
house adjournment was followed by an
Iexecutive committee meeting Of the
railroad committee, to which consider
liable interest attached.
The attitude of the house yesterday.
Indicates that a two-cent fare bill is.
fairly sure Of passage there. Several
members have declared publicly that
tthey are not there to consider the.
merits Of the proposition that the two
political parties declared for ii, and
that they as members were elected on
pledges to enact a tWo-cent law, and
that they are going to do SO.
The railroad attorneys and officials.
have presented a mass of figures and
data concerning the effect Of the en-
f;actment Of a lower passenger rate;
!, and this matter will be worked over
further in the house committee and on
the floor Of both houses.
Regulate Bond Issues.
4 X yesterday was dfstinctively a rail-
road day in the legislature The
4 house railroad committee held a pub
flic hearing on the Rockne bill, to regu-
late The Issuance Of railroad bonds,
and for nearly three hours railroad
men and jobbers discussed the merits
of the bill with Assistant Attorney
General Stone and A .. Rockne of
lGoodhue, the bills author. s5
The Rockne bill aims to regulate
stock and bond issues OF railroad com
panies, making It necessary for the
companies to secure the permission Of
the state railroad and warehouse COM
mission before making a bond issue.
The attorney generals office drafted
the Rockne bill, and Assistant Attor-
ney General Stone made a strong plea
| for its passage yesterday The regu-
Is1ation Of bond issues is declared by
the attorney general to be as im-
Iportant as the regulation Of the issu-
lance OF stock, to establish which the
state has brought action in the $780,
E0O0,00 Great Northern case. sss
Anti-Pass and Two Cent Fare.
The senate railroad committee has
declared In favor Of a two-cent passen-
lger1rate law and an anti-pass law.
The first, senate file No. 6, prohibits
/ the giving or receiving of passes and
attaches severe penalties for violation
ranging in fines from 5000 to 81, 900
and Imprisonment from one to i've.
The second, senate file No 348, fixes
the maximum passenger rate at two
cents for all persons over IL years
/ and one cent for those under. Bag
gage to the amount Of $50 pounds
must be carried for each passenger.
1 regardless Of age.
House Passes TWo-cent Bill.
st. Paul, Feb. o. The house passed
the two-cent passenger fare bill yes
lterday under suspension Of the rules,
within 10 minutes after the bill had
been reported to the house BY the rail-
iiroad committee
The vote was lis to 4 Ia favor Of.
1.-The measure, and It's passage was fol-
lowed BY applause throughout the
house.
Railroad officials who violate the
provisions Of the law are liable to al
Ifine Of 5000 or Imprisonment for one
year.
The bill also contains q provision
that if any common carrier does not
comply with the law the railroad and
warehouse commission may institute
q civil action to force compliance.
Demurrage RiiI Passed.