The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1907-04-12


sioner. The commission must orga-
nize as soon as the bin is signed. The
sum of $4,000 per annum Is allowed
for office expenses and clerical hire.
A secretary shall not receive more
than $4,000 and two clerks may be en-
gagged at not more than $1,000 per an.
mum.
The railway commission has gener-
al charge of the railway companies,
express companies. car companies,
sleeping car companies, freight com
panies, telegraph companies, street
railway companies and all other com
mon carriers.
The commission must divide all
freight into general and special class
es and fix a reasonable rate for each
class. The rates may vary as 1t is
seemed just to the various railroads
of the state. Joint freight rates
switching and terminal charges must
also be fixed by the commission.
Charges, service, complaints and equip
ment of all the railroads must be ex-
amined. A complete report must be
filed biennially with the governor. The
chairman shall have power to admin
lister oaths. Witnesses may be sub
poenaed and sent for. Books ana pa
pers must be brought in at the re-
quest of the commission. Shippers,
officers and employees must answer all
questions. Fines for violations of the
regulations may not exceed $4,000.
Freight rates between Nebraska
points and the points in other states
must be examined. Violations of the
law must be called to the attention Of
the attorney general while the COM
mission may hire additional counsel.
Railroads must file with the com
mission within thirty days after this
act takes effect, complete schedules,
classifications and tariffs covering the
passenger and freight business. Then
the commission must furnish new
and complete schedule to the railways,
authenticated with the seal of the
commission. Within sixty days and
within not less than thirty days this
new rate sheet will be effective.
Persons, shippers, cities, or corpo-
rations may file complaints. The rail
roads are notified and a date is set
for the hearing. In case of dispute
the lowest rate shall be accepted as
a prima facie evidence that the charge
is just and reasonable one After
the hearing the commission shall an
nounce a decision.
After securing a transcript of the
proceedings any railroad may appeal
to any district court of the state for
redress. The burden of proof shall
rest upon the plaintiff to show that
the rate or ruling is an unreasonable
one.
On or before August l, 1907, and
annually thereafter a complete report
of the affairs of the railroad must be
filed with the railway commission.
This shall contain a statement of all
persons who have received passes and
the relation they bear to the railroad.
Rebates, determinations, preference
es and special privileges of all kinds
are forbidden and punishable by heavy
fines. Railroads may haul freight for
fairs, eXnositjons or hospitals at a
reduced rate. Actions for violations
of the law may be brought against
the company in any court of any coun-
ty through which the road runs. The
act has the emergency clause and goes
into effect as soon as signed by the
governor.
DR.. H. ]. Winnett, Robert Cowell and
j. A. Williams are the railway COM
missioners. Winnett was elected for
six, Cowell for four and Williams for
two years. A commissioner is to be
elected every two years.
H. r. GO by Dodge of Douglas,
amending the law providing for the
incorporation of hospital associations
by providing for board of trustees
of not less than three members and
removing the limit of 100000 upon
the property which may be held by
they shall not hold real estate except
such as may be necessary for the
transaction of it's business for a long
er period than twenty-five years.
H. r. 254 by Knowles of Dodge,
amending the charters of cities hav-
ing more than 5000 and less than 25,
900 inhabitants by providing for the
appointment of water commissioners
and permitting the election of women
to the Office of city treasurer
Direct Primary.
H. R. 4O5, by joint committee on
privileges and elections, providing for
IhC holhihotloh ny uiiCSI ~ vi
state, county, district and municipal
officers. Presidential electors and mu-
nicipal officers in cities having less
than $4,000 population, village, town
ship and school district officers are
exempted from the provisions of this
act.
Candidates may be nominated other
wise than by primary election as fol-
lows BY filing petitions signed by
electors residing in the political divi-
sion in which the candidate is to be
elected and filed with the clerk of the
village, city or county or with the sec
rotary of the state. Candidates for
state offices must have 1000 signers
to the petition, candidates for city,
county or district Offices must have
at least 200 signers and candidates for
township, precinct or ward Office must
have az least so signers and they shall
be termed candidates by petition.
Primaries for general elections shall
be held on the first Tuesday in Sep
TENDER, 1907, and annually thereafter
on tho first TnaSdoV in Cpntpn1hor