Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1907-01-16

earnings OF railroads within the state
Or ia. M y t AZ reported by the compan-
ssi9 n, f s1o ne year ending July 81. 1906
per mile Of the railroads within this state
mile IS, 10000 The relative Importance
Ct this matter may be more clearly UNI
aerssood ", when we realize that the total
Si9 9s slo esa az IN IN Minnesota being $751;
estimated farm productions of 1906. The
basis Of QUIZ wealth Is agriculture. and
the total estimated agricultural products
Ing wheat, oats. corn. rye, barley, flax,
potatoes, hay, butter, cheese, live stock.
poultry. market garden, fruit and nursery
p products Is approximately $3.50, 600. In
hall. Of the agricultural products enum-
Grated to satisfy the TRANSFORMATION de-
mands Of railroad corporations within the
state of Minnesota.
REDUCTION OF FREIGHT RATES.
The vast earnings Of railway COM
panies have been swollen by excessive
rates Of transportation, which have been
much higher in our own state than in the
1 north south OF OF vs. be or IN to the
just demand that the people be relieved
from the extortiOn and the abuse of high
and unfair railroad rates of transporta-
question. I said that believed there was
remedy in the establishment Of a maxi
mum freight rate that would be fair to
transportation company; that the railroad
and warehouse commission was clothed
F With proper legal authority to establish
failure to establish fair and t eauita eble
rates was because Of lack Of aggressive
administration rather than a lack Of le-
gal authority. i recommended at that
lative committee to make a complete and
full investigation of prevailing rates Of
transportation within Minnesota, with a
x taes. of Of establishing by law. a maximum
bear reasonable rate Of interest and
profit on the investment, be fair to all
parts OF the state. and absolutely pro-
calities or individuals. Pursuant to that
recommendation, the legislature appointed
a Joint committee which made an investi-
cation OF the prevailing. rate conditions.
adopted a joint. resolution directing the
board of railroad and warehouse commits
sloners to proceed with a view to a re-
state of Minnesota. During the past
biennial period efforts have been made
py the BOARD of railroad and warehouse
commission looking toward a reduction
in a reduction on merchandise rates:
roads in the matter of coal and grain
rates ra1efa Lam am satisfied however that alb
the people of the state Of Minnesota.
During the past year, caused to be made
a a co complete ~ tabulation of the prevailing
the several lines Of railway within the
state of Minnesota.
The recent rate reductions are In the
the the, right direction Compared. however,
1nces to the north Of us and with Iowa
mercnandlse rates to the south, It Is ap-
parent that Minnesota freight rates are
st at too high level, and especially
several northwestern states tributary to
Minnesota distributing points
A TWo-cENT PASSENGER RATE.
Hitherto we have dealt largely with the
ton 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 carrying Of pas
1s recognized that the average fare per
mile paid by persons who travel on rail-
roads ,ea a; does not exceed 2.3 per mile. A
The public has demanded it: the public
IS right In making that demand, and the
legislature should not defer actions. ,
ABOLITION OF PASSES.
The time has also come for some spe-
ment Of law forbidding the eranting 1e OF
ned privileges BY railroad corporations
Of railways and their families. Our state
deferred action upon this matter until
other states have taken the initiative. So
insistent have the people become in their
aemand lSf this reform that all Of the
compelled to recognize the justice of the
demand. and have incorporated planks in
their various platforms looking toward
state Of Minnesota. 1 recognize that ac-
ton upon this matter has hitherto been
deferred by reason of the fact that mem
bers Of the legislature and public officers
81 free Transportation. There should be ee no
hesitancy upon this important question
II public officers are not adequate
Vces s tse feG their III ser
an extent as to make it reasonable
compensation. and do away with the pos
slb1lity Of any officer becoming a bene-
by reason Of gratitude be placed under
some obligation to the corporation which
extends the courtesy. Public opinion has
become settled as to what should be ac-
m 1a% x GaF2est the early @ Of
system in Minnesota.
RECIPROCAL DEMURRAGE CHARGES.
For many years the railroad companies
Of Of Mi Minnesota have made. denurrage
A reciprocal demurrage law, which viii
be fair to all parties IS demanded by the
public and should be enacted at this
session sess Of the legislature: If the mem
lightenment as to the absolute necessity
OF prompt action in the passage of such
q just and practicable measure, you will
f TN It in the conditions Of so-called car
Sh0rtqpn ID <l~
cultural districts Of this and neighboring
states In the Northwest during the past
ninety MI days: Even SO fragrant have been
the me- co nj that the general govern
with. it's force of traffic experts, hold
hearings of shippers and carriers, and
enter into an exhaustive Investigation Of
Of the chief remedies for the insufficient
supply. Of cars, which has resulted in the
loss OF thousands Of dollars; to Minne-
sofa wheat growers, and in some locali-
ties produced temporary coal famine. I
suggest reciprocal demurrage law, sub
jecting carriers to the same penalties for
delay in furnishing cars as the carriers
Ing cars: Under present conditions It is
time that the state impressed upon pub
lie carriers the fact that a private cor
poration which seeks from the state
ton is bound to perform that function
to the best Of its physical ability, and
heed the public interest. and that its
duty to the public Is paramount to its
duty to swell the already generous divi-
dends to its stockholders by "ton mile.
age'' or other arbitrary economies.
INSURANCE. -.
:: Since the last session Of the legislature
the subject Of insurance, and life insur-
ance In particular, has occupied a con-
spicuous place in the public mind and
will no doubt receive your particular at
Great evils have grown ,p in connec-,
ton with this very important phase of
our industrial life; extravagant salaries
and commissions have been paid; am
contracts have been sold; colossal accu-