The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-12-05

dent, why did his spokesmen n per-
sonal champions In h legislature of
1905 refuse repeatedly to indorse the
presidents policy?
Blocked Reform Movements.
"'Tha records show the following pro-
ceedings in the legislature OF 1905:
February 10. Mr.. Lindley introduced
house joint resolution No. L., indorsing
President Roosevelt's efforts to secure
reform In railroad rate legislation. 1t
was referred to the committee on state
affairs and never reported. blouse
journal. pages 476. 1907
February 2S. House joint resolution
memorializing congress to indorse and
assist President Roosevelt in his ef-
forts to secure an equitable adjustment
OF transportation charges and check
unlawful e~ncroachment OF monopolistic
trusts and combinations came to the
senat and was referred to the commit
tee on rules. Of which Senator Lawson,
a devoted follower OF Senator Kilt
redge, was chairman. II was never
reported by that committee. (House
journal, pages 627. $50, S75, S7S: senate
journal. page 945.)
January 9. Senator Rice introduced
senate joint resolution No. 8, memorial
izing congress to pass a law charging
the powers Of the Interstate Commerce
commission and to keep the highways
of open to all upon equal
terms (Senate journal. pag 119). 1t
was referred TO the committee on jul
dietary Of which this same Senator
Lawson was chairman. page 119). 1t
was v reported.
February IT. Senator Cassill intro
duced senate joint resolution No. Ii. re-
questing the senator's and representa-
i've OF South Dakota to sustain the
president Of the United States in his
efforts to secur just and equitable
transportation charges. (Senate jour
nal, page 546). 1t was referred to the
committee on rules of which Senator
Lawson IA chairman. 1t was never
reported.
February 1. Senator Shober intro
duced senate bill No. 100 making rail-
way companies liable for injuries to an
employee caused by the negligence of a
co-employe while In the discharge of q
duty to his employer. (Senate journal,
page 347). II was referred to the COM
mittee on railroads OF which Senator
Saltmarsh was chairman. page 350.)
1t was never reported.
Opposed Rate Bill.
"A constitutional petition for the
actment of a primary election law and
a referendum of the same to the people
for approval signed by 1854 electors.
was presented to the senate and re-
ferred to the committee on rules. On
February II Senator Lawson presented
a long report prepared for him by a
member OF the railroad lobby ecom
mending that 1t be indefinitely post
poned, and the report vas adopted.
(Senate journal. pages 479, 520-1.)
I'm the United States senate. Senator
Kittredge never declared in favor of
the rate bill until its passage without
his vote became apparent to all. His
personal newspaper organs In this state
openly opposed the passage of the law
for months while 1t was under debate.
IS. Senator Kittredge voted against
the proposed amendment to the rate
bill. which provided for the ascertain
ment of the physical valuation Of the
railroads as a basis for determining
whether rates charged by them were
excessive OF not.
IS. Last year in a letter to Con-
gresham Watson, President Roosevelt
referred to the obstacles interposed by
the railroads to the building of the
Panama canal and said their opposition
sometimes took the form OF "A demand
for an investigation under circum-
stances which would mean indefinite
delay. Sometimes 1t takes tho form OF
determined opposition to the adoption
of the plans which will enable the work
to be done, not merely In the best, but
In the quickest possible way The plan
adopted by the government iR a lock
canal.
Hindered Canal Work.
Senator Kittredge wanted a sea
level canal which would require twice
the time and 500. 000. 900 more, and
just before congress adjourned in
June, 1906, he attempted to pass a
resolution by the aid of democratic
votes in the canal committee. to con-
tinue the investigation of complaints
against the canal management upon
the isthmuS during the recess OF con
gress. The president complained in his
letter to Congressman Watson of SIN
lister opposition and demands for in
v~estigation which would mean indef-
mite delay
~. During all the years that the
Kittredge machine was ir. power the
railroads in South Dakota paid the
lowest tax per mile in any state in the
union.
g. The legislature of 1907 was free
from railroad domination m free
from control by Senator Kittredge and
his friends. Result:
The enactment in n session OF
the following laws affecting public
service corporations:
What Progressives Accomplished.
Requiring them to pay taxes upon
terminals n other property situated
within cities and towns: directing the
board OF railroad commissioners to as
certain the cash vale OF the railroads
within the state n appropriating
money for that purpose; making 1t un-
lawful to destroy competition by I'M
just discrimination; a state primary
election law; prohibiting corporations
from making contributions for cam
paign purposes: making secret lobby
ing for corporations and special inter-
ests a crime; giving the board of rail-
way commissioners power to examine
the books and accounts Of public ware
houses; directing the board of railroad
commissioners by schedule to fix max
imum passenger rates at 2h cents per
mile: compelling railroads to put In
connecting tracks at junction points
and to make joint rates; requiring rail-
roads to Va double damages for un-
reasonable delay in making settlement
for damages to live stock or property
destroyed by fire: making railway
companies liable to employees for dam
ages caused by negligence of co-em-
ployes; limiting the continuous hours
Of service Of railway operators to Tx
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