New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1907-01-09

that the railroad and warehouse COM
mission was clothed with proper legal
authority to establish fair and equita-
BILE rates and that this failure to estab-
lish fair and equitable rates was be-
cause of lack of aggressive admins
tration rather than a lack of legal
authority.
Reductions Secured insufficient.
recommended at that time the APP
pointment of a joint legislative COM
mittee to make a complete and full
investigation of prevailing rates of
transportation within Minnesota with
q view of establishing by law max
lmum tariff rate for transportation
which might bear reasonable rate of
interest and profit on the investment,
be fair to all parts of the state and
absolutely prohibit unjust discrimina-
ton between localities or individuals.
Pursuant to that recommendation the
legislature appointed a joint commit
tee which made an investigation of
the prevailing rate conditions and, as
result thereof, the legislature adopt
ed joint resolution directing the
board of railroad and warehouse com
missioners to proceed with view to a
reduction of merchandise rates within
the state of Minnesota During the
past biennial period efforts have been
made by the board of railroad and
00r icci 10
ward a reduction of the rates of trans
portation, resulting in a reduction on
merchandise rates; a voluntary reduc-
ton by some of the railroads in the
matter of coal and grain rates. I am
satisfied, however, that absolute JUS
tice has not yet been done to the peo-
pie of the state of Minnesota During
the past year | caused to be made a
complete tabulation of the prevailing
rates of transportation between points
on the several lines Of railway within
the state of Minnesota. Applying the
Iowa distance tariff law to these rates
I find that the shipper in Minnesota is
paying a rate of transportation wholly
without the bounds of justice and fair
ness and to such an extent, in my esti-
nation, as to retard the real progress
of the people of our commonwealth l
would recommend the appointment of
a Joint legislative committee with a
view of making study of the prevail
ing conditions as to the various rates
of transportation and esta blishing a
distance tariff law, which will bring
some measure of prompt relief.
A TWo-cent Passenger Rate.
Hitherto we have dealt largely with
the adjustment of the rates of trans
portation on freight. The time has
come in our state when relief is also
demanded in the matter of passenger
rates. The current fare for the carry
ing of passengers now is 3 cents per
mile. It is recognized that the aver
age fare per mile paid by persons who
travel on railroads does not exceed
2.3 cents per mile. A maximum rate
law and fixed now
The time has also come for some
specific action in the matter of the
enactment of law forbidding the grant
ing Of pass privileges by railroad cor
porations to people other than bona
fide employees of railways and their
families. Our. state enjoys the peculiar
distinction of having deferred action
upon this matter until other states
have taken the initiative. recognize
that action upon this. matter has hith-:
erto been deferred by reason OF the
fact that members of the legislature
and public officers generally have been
granted the courtesy of free transpor-
tation. There should be no hesitancy
upon this important question If pub
lie officers are not adequately compen-
stated now for their services fix the
compensation to such an extent as to
make it reasonable compensation and
do away with the possibility of any
officer becoming a beneficiary of the
favors Of corporations and by reason
Of gratitude be placed under some OBJ
legation to the corporation which ex-
tends the courtesy. Public opinion
has become settled as to what should
urge most earnestly the early enact
ment of a law which will forever abol-
ish the pass system in Minnesota.
Reciprocal Demurrage Charges.
For many years the railroad COM
panies of Minnesota have made demur-,
rage charges upon shippers without
reciprocity. A reciprocal demurrage.
law, which will be fair to all parties,
is demanded by the public. and should
be enacted at this session of the legis-
lature. IF the members of this body
need any further enlightenment as to
the absolute necessity of prompt &C
ton in the passage of such a just and
practicable measure you will find it in
the conditions of so-called car short
age which have afflicted the agricul-
tural districts of this and neighboring
states in the Northwest during the
past ninety days. Even SO fragrant
have been the conditions that the gen
eral government felt compelled to visit