The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-03-29
BEGIN RAILROAD TASK
NEBRASKA COMM ssioN's AU-
THoRITY is A FACT.
GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED BILL

The Nebraska Railway Commission
Has Begun Its Task of Supervising
the Railways Of the state-What the
Bill Means to Nebraska.
Lincoln, Neb., March 2S.-Special to
The News: The Nebraska railway
commission began the task of super
yising the railroads of the state this
morning.
Governor Sheldon signed the rail-
way commission bill last night.
The new law is drastic in its provi-
sions and the railways of the state
must observe it's provisions or suffer
severe penalties.
The members of the railway commits
sion must be thirty years of age. They
must not have any interest in any COM
mon carrier doing business in the
state. They must not engage in any
business allied to or inconsistent with
the business of the commission.
Should a vacancy occur the governor
must fill it by appointment.
Salaries of the commissioners are
fixed at $4,000. No person shall be
secretary of the commission who chall
Lot be able to qualify as commits
sioner. The commission must orga-
nize as soon as the bill Is signed. The
sum of $4,000 is allowed for office ex-
pense and clerical hire. A salary shall
not be more than $4,000 and two
clerks may be engaged at not more
than $1,000 per annum.
The railway commission has general
charge of the railway companies, ex-
press companies, car companies, sleep
ing car companies, freight companies,
telegraph companies, street railway
companies or any other common car
riers.
The commission must divide all
freight into general and special class
es and fix a reasonable rate for each
class. The rates may vary as is
deemed just to the various railways
of 20, state. Joint freight rates,
switching and terminal charges must
also be fixed by the commission.
Charges, service and equipment of all
the railroads must be examined. A
complete report must be filed with the
governor biennially. The chairman
shall have power to administer oaths.
Witnesses may be sent for and books
and papers must be brought in at the
request of the commission. Shipper,
officers and employees must answer all
questions. Fines for violation of the
regulations may not exceed $4,000.
Freight rates between Nebraska
points and the points in other states
must be examined. Violations of the
law must be called to the attention of
the attorney general while the COM
mission may hire additional counsel.
Railroads must file with the COM
mission within thirty days after this
act takes effect complete schedules,
classifications and tariffs covering the
passenger and freight business. Then
the commission must furnish a new
and complete schedule to the railways,
authenticated with the seal Of the
commission.
Within sixty days and not less than
thirty days this new rate sheet will
be effective. Persons, shippers, cities
or corporations may file complaints.
The railroads are notified and the date
is set for the hearing. In case of dis
pute the lowest rate accepted for
traffic shall be accepted as prima IA
Gle evidence that the charge is just
and reasonable one. After the hear
ing the commission shall announce it's
decision. 49,
After securing a transcript of the
proceedings, any railroad may appeal
to any district court of the state for
redress. The burden of proof shall
rest upon the plaintiff to show that
the rate or ruling is an unreasonable
one.
On or before August /, 1907, and an
nually thereafter a complete report of
the affairs of the railroad must be
filed with the railroad commission.
This shall contain statement of all
persons who have received passes and
the relation they bear to the railroad.
Rebates, determinations, preference
es and special privileges of all kinds
are forbidden and punishable by heavy
fines. Railroads may haul freight for
fairs, eXpositions or hospitals at le-
duced rate. Actions for the violations
of the law may be brought against the
company in any court of any county
through which the road runs. The
act has the emergency clause and goes
into effect as soon as signed by the
governor.
DR.. H. ]. Winnett, Robert Cowell
and ]. A. Williams compose the COM
mission They were elected last fall.
the constitution being amended to
provide for a commission at the same
election.