The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-05-15
WEDNESDAY,, MAY Is. 1907.
STATE RAILROAD COMMISSION.

STATE
|! was not anticipated that the state
railroad commission created by the
tenth legislative assembly would be
able to accomplish much during the
fret few months of its existence, but
when it does get busy it is hoped there
will be an honest and successful effort
to secure substantial benefits for re.
sidents OF Montana. 1t has a great
field in which to display its ability
and willingness::to meet public expecta.
tons.
One Of theifrst acts OF the commits.
sion, and one that called forth more
newspaper commend alton than the
Observation-Disclosures, vas a plan for
an interchangeable mileage book OF
5000 miles latlthe rate OF ,. cents per
mile, on all railroads operating in
in Montana. An agreement TO adopt
this plan was secured from the rail.
roads, and the new departure was
given public announcement as a mat
ter Of great interest and Importance
to Montana people generally.
1t is a well.known fact, however,
that mileage books OF 5000 miles, at
2! cents a mile, have been or sale for
Montana travel for several years past,
their interchangeability being the only
new feature securediby the commission.
Very few Montan aIpeople will be at.
fected by the change, as the purchase
OF mileage in quantitiesiof 5000 miles
good on railroads that are parties to
the agreement will be confined to
drummers and q few others. The
Montana citizen who purchases a mile.
age booklof !, 000.miles, or the ordin-
airy trip ticket, Twill continue to pay
the old rate OF 3 cents per!mile, without
acquiring any new privileges or great.
er value for his money.
There il plenty for the state rail.
road commission to do, whenever it
feels ready to lbegin real work. The
express rates in effect between many
Montanaipoints are SO outrageously
high t~hatlextended study Of the situa-
ton by 1.-THE commission is not neces'
sary. A Oglance at the schedules
should convince the state railroad
commissioners that prompt and ener.
getic action in this matter is due the
people of Montana.
Instances of hagrant discrimination
and excessive charges in local ireigh,
rates are SO numerous that they can.
not fail to attract the attention Of a
state railroad commission whose
mem bers intend to remedy abuses anG
give a square deal to all parties con
cerned. Newspaper mention Of some
OF these unjust and unreasonable rates
has been made from time to time, and
il Is up to the commission 20 attend
to these and others that may develop
The freight rate ON coal shipment.
between northern Montana points is &
matter that affects most OF the resi-.
dents in this part Of the state. Unde,
conditions that have existed up tl
this time, producers and consumer.
have been subject to rates tina, are in
defensible, ~. but there has been nc
svailablelmea nslof redress. For ex,
ample, there are some excellent Goa
mines lei Big Sandy-their produc'
being probably 1.-The best in northerr
Montana-but unjust freight rates
have restricted the output by prac
tically excluding it from markets L
which it should have ready access
The freight ratet on coal from Biz
Sandy to Fortl Benton, 43 miles, va,
formerly 81. 70 per ton, but a. a grea
concession e. it wal reduced to SIS,
per ton. At the same time the rate O,
coal from Toledo to Big Sandy, i
miles, was $l.NO per ton: and frol
Sand Coulee to Helena,:ll3 miles. tn
rate was 1925 per ton.
According TO a resident Of Chinook
the owners OF a coal mine neal tina
place proposed some time ago TO shi
come of his product to Williston, \
OAK, but he was quoted a rate tn;
was higher than the rate from San
Coulee to the same destin alton.
If the state railroad commission d,
sires to be Of service to the people
Montana, itlhas ample opportunity
demonstrate its ability to accomplis
tho U0rH f0p which H. ~ a . r~oo,oS