Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-02-09
INO.C[NI FARE
BILL REPORTED
W
House Committee Presents Meas
ure Which is Recommended
For Passage
TWO CENTS ON CLASS A ROADS
Glass 3 and c Line. Permitted to
Charge eye and 8 cents-Different
Glasses Defined-Made Special Order
for Next Tuesday-senate PASSES
Bill for Inspection of "Baby Farms"
Special to Times-Republican

Special to Times-Republican
pes Moines, Feb. 9.-The house com-
mittee on railroads this morning re-
ported a committee bill for passage
fixing the maximum passenger rates at
. cents for class "a" roads 21s cents
for class "B" roads and 3 cents for
class &c" roads The bill designates
class a. roads as those whose net
earnings are $4,000 a mile or more,
class "B" roads as those making from
$4,000 to $4,000, and class "C' those
earnings less than $4,000 per mile. The
committee was excused during great
err part Of the morning hour and the
house remained in recess for some time
waiting for the report, which was made
at 1890. The bill was made a special
order for Tuesday morning next and
was ordered printed in the journal.
The senate passed today the bill
providing for state licensing and in
spection of baby farms, with practical
ly no amendment from the bill intro
duced by Dowell.
Both senate and house passed a con-
current resolution for d joint session
Tuesday afternoon at o'clock and ex-
tending an invitation to w. j. Bryan
of Nebraska, to address the legislature.
McManus, in the senate, introduced a
bill that will permit Iowa breweries
and distilleries to ship their product
to points within the state of Iowa by
express or freight
In the house Balluff introduced bill
providing for state boiler inspector
at a salary of $1,500 year and bill
, repeating all excuses from jury SER
vice, except soldiers and sailors on re-
quest of other persons when sickness in
the family or the jeopardizing of pub
lie interests demands it, and fixing the
maximum jury service as possible to
enforce at two weeks.
Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines Feb. 9.-The presenta-
tion of the matter of lower passenger
fares before a legislative committee
consumed all of Friday afternoon. The
authors of the various bills were given
time to present their views, then the
representatives of the labor organiza-
tions did the same and finally the rep
resentatives of the railroads spoke.
Mr.. Cottrell, author of the first of the
two-cent bills spoke in general terms
Of the possibility of lower rates. He.
gave an array of figures showing how
there has been increase in the railroad
business the past dozen years, how
there has been an increase in fact of
liz per cent in the mileage of the
railroads in what is known as the
northwestern group Of states, at the
same time there being an increase in
stock.~>f 22 per cent, of bonds 81 per
cent, gross earnings 81 per cent, and
net earnings 140 per cent. There has
been reduction in the proportionate
cost of train operation, and yet no re-
duction in the cost of travel. The div
idends have enormously increased and
great sums have been carried over as
undivided surplus.
Representatives of the trainmen made
the point that they would be first to
suffer by reason of the taking off of
trains that do not pay. A strong point
was made in that it was stated that in
other states, notably South Dakota,
Minnesota and Wisconsin, legislation
is pending that will reduce the income
of railroads, and Iowa cannot afford
therefore to join in still further reduc-
ing the railroad income.
Judge Carr had charge of the case
for the railroads and for about three
hours representatives of the railroads
presented their arguments in opposi-
ton to the measures. Manager Nay,
of the Rock Island presented the first
argument. The general line Of argu-
ment of the railroad men was that
there would be necessary reduction in
the train service and the public and
the railroad employees would suffer as
we'll as the owners of railroads Much
information was given to show that
many trains are now operated at a
loss.
The hearing was regarded as in every
way satisfactory. The railroad men
left a quantity Of printed matter for
the consideration Of members.