East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1907-08-29

From the August number of the
American Review of Reviews Is taken
the following really informatory re-
sumo Of the legislation effected or at
tempted in the different states since
January l last, affecting the rail-
roads:
Real constructive legislation was
enacted In many states In regard to
corporate control, safety appliances,
block signals, working hours, rights
of employees, railroad mergers, valu-
alton, capitalization. publication Of
rate schedules, etc, while in the
states of South Carolina, South Da-
kota. Tennessee, and Wisconsin the
rate question was given fair and tenn
perate consideration. In South Car
olma the senate negatived a bill for
a -one-half-cent rate, and in
stead of assuming the guilt OF the
railroads, appointed a committee to
investigate determinations.
South Dakota authorized Its COM
mission to establish a maximum pas
senger rate of two and one-half cents
a mile, and. In addition, instructed 1t
to ascertain the actual cash value of
railroad property in the state on
which to base equitable rates. Pend
Ing this ascertainment, Ii is not ex-
pected that the commission VIII en-
force a reduction.
Legislature Versus Commission.
Tennessee refused to pass bill
reducing passenger fares because
there was no public demand therefor,
and, further, "in view of the fact
that the railroads in Tennessee were
not earning from their passenger
run, as much as the average in the
United States" Wisconsin's action is
contradictory. When the commission
ordered the roads to adopt two-and-
one-half-ceut fare the ! after ac-
quiesced- An attempt to enact a flat
twocent rate passed the house, but
was defeated in the senate on June
IA by vote of 81 to 6. On July II,
however, two-cent fare bill was
adopted by the senate by vote of 8
TO 8, Iieutenant- Governor Connor
casting the deciding ballot. Having
been approved by the governor this
measure will become effective or
August Is. At this writing there IL
much dissatisfaction expressed over
the senate,s action. In the opinion
of the railroad commission a two.
and-one-half-cent rate is the loves
the passenger traffic will bear. A
comprehensive public service law was
enacted in this state and is described
elsewhere In this number of the Re-
view of Reviews by Professor Com
mons.
Rcverses or Indifference.
Arizona, Florida and Maine haG
measures before their Legislatures tc
reduce passenger rates, but the same
were not successful Texas had al
most one hundred railroad bills pre-
scented for its consideration, and on,
was a measure to reduce passenger
charges. 1t failed to pass, but ma!
become a law at n special session
New York adopted a two-cent bill
but IL succumbed to the governor:
veto A public utilities bill, promoted
garded as the most comprehensive ant
far-reaching measure for corporate
regulation ever adopted in any state
became n law. Kentucky, Louisiana
and Maryland had no legislative ses
sions; and California, Connecticut
Delaware, Idaho, Massachusetts,. Mis-
sissippi, Rhode Island. Utah and wy
oming gave little or no consideration
TO restrictive railroad legislation dur
ing the recent sessions. In thos'
states no hostility to the railroads
was shown, save that in Massachu
sets a resolution was adopted callinl
for an Investigation into railroad pas
.senger fares. with view to their uni
formity and equalization. The repor
must be submitted to the next genera
court on or before January 10, 1908
and some steps may be taken then.
California's action shines in mark
ed contrast with most of her siste,
states. The Sacramento lawmaker
passed law which reads: Ever!
railroad corporation has power t.
regulate the time and manner II