Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1907-03-21

OF opinion has been the rate bill,
which. as finally passed, empowers the
railroad commissioners to fix maxi
mum 2l2-cent rate for passenger fares.
This matter passed the senate as early
as Jan. 80. providing for a maximum
OF Pa cents. but requiring that $40
mile tickets should be sold at $40,
good until used and good in the hands
OF the bearer After exciting legisla-
by the house. A house hill upon the
same subject followed parlous course
for weeks, some times up and some
times down, but was finally amended
To provide simply that the commits.
sioners may nix a 2;a cent maximum.
The reason for the change OF front, as
stated by Mr.. Glass ON The floor. was
that II had been ascertained that the
original bill confiicted with the deci.
sion OF the supreme court of the Unit
ed States in the Lake Shore aud Mich.
igan Southern case ana that the bill,
Ii enacted in that form, would have
been without effect
Another highly important bin af-
fecting rates clothes the railroad com
mission with power TO employ experts
and ascertain the true value of all rail-
road property in the state as basis
for adjusting rates. 1t will be readily
seen that rates must be, in good de-
gree, based upon the sum invested in
the common carriers property and un-
til this is ascertained no great prog
ress In ratemaking can be made. Sup
elementary to this act the general APP
preparations bill carries an item of
$4,000 for the use of the railroad com
mission in ascertaining the true value
Of the roads.
Track Connection at functions.
Still another exceedingly important
measure requires the railroads to
make track connections at junction
points and to make through joint rates
for carrying freight in bulk lots.
There are several other acts affect.
ing the railroads. The method of tax
arion has been quite revolntionized.-
The value of the property is no longer
to be prorated over the entire line.
but each taxing district will get the
benefit of all OF the railroad property
located within ii. This will he an add
vantage TO the towns and cities. The
changed and under heavy penalties.
the roads are required to return all of
their property for taxation and the
state board of equalization and assess
ment has enlarged powers in ferreting
out property liable to assessment.
The roads also are held in double
damages for live stock killed by them
or for fires set by their engines, pro
Vided a settlement Is not made or an
amount rendered within sixty days
equal to the damages determined by
the court. This is intended only to
hasten satisfactory settlements and
to discourage annoying and protracted
litigation.
Another very much discussed meas
ure provides for reciprocal demurrage.
Railroads are TO be mulcted i'll dam,
ages to the extent of 81 per day for
every day of failure to provide cars
upon demand, or for neglect TO for
ward them promptly or continuously
or to deliver them promptly after ar
rival at destination. The shipper will
be held for damages in the same meas
ure ii he fails to load or unload
promptly. This bill was seriously OBJ
lected to by many members because
OF the opportunity it will afford rail
roads to give rebates to favored ship
pers. However, it passed both houses
with but few opposing votes.
Employers Liability Act.
The fellow servant act, making EN-
ployers responsible for accidents to
employees due to negligence. of other
employees, Is Of course directed partic-
ularly against railroad companies and
should be classed with railroad legls-
lation. 1t overturns the common law
rule and throws the burden OF proof
upon the company In actions for dam
ages.
Another bill in this line affecting
railroads places the burden of pleading
upon orders of the railroad commits
Sion. Ii Is not necessary for the COM
mission to plead or prove the facts
upon which their orders are founded.
The working time of railroad EN-
plOyes is limited TO sixteen consecu
tive hours except in great emergency.
This is done to protect the public from
accidents resulting from the employ
ment OF exhausted men.
For the protection of weak competi
tive lines railroads are prohibited
from paralleling each other except up
on permission OF the railroad commits
sion.
The railroads are also prohibited
from abandoning any established sta.
ton or from Withdrawing an agent
from any established depot without
the consent of the commission
From the foregoing it will be OBJ
served the railroads came In for a
large share of attention yet it cannot
be said that anything Of an especially
drastic nature was done. nor anything
likely to initiate against the real in
terests Of the common carriers.
Regulation Of Telephone Lines.
AS elsewhere the telephone inter
sst In South ia kota Is bacoming great