New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-21

exercise them. The railroad commissioners OF
Texas and OF Ohio not only have much the same
scope, within their respective states. as the IN
terstate Commerce Commission. but have shown
a lively readiness 20 enforce the law. Cali
fornia's board and that OF Georgia have ample
authority, but appear seldom 10 have exercised
It. New York, Massachusetts, Illinois. WILSON,
sin and Minnesota have commissioners with con-
siderable scope, but without the power to In
hict penalties for noncompliance with their
rulings. Washington's board has only lin
tied Jurisdiction, Connecticurs has none. ex-
cept in a few minor matters and Nebraska IN
creating its board two years ago, failed TO de-
fine its functions. Michigan has single rail-
road commissioner and a state railroad board
OF three members well. Neither Is vested
with any important duties, and. with respon-
sibility thus divided. little is ever accomplished.
OF the eighteen state legislatures in which the
control OF public service corporations will be
agitated during the present year. f1ve-those OF
New Jersey, Colorado. Oregon. Idaho and Utah
viii consider bills introduced 10 establish boards
OF railroad commissioners. In Colorado the
sentiment appears 70 be that the board VIII GER
tainly be created. the only question being the
extent OF powers that are likely TO be granted
to It. In FIVE states-New York Illinois, Wis
consin. Washington and Nebraska-eforts will
be made to give additional powers 20 the boards
OF railroad commissioners already existing In
the three states first named the law establishing
the Interstate Commerce Commission will be
taken as a model for the proposed legislation.
THE CAR SHORTAGE PROBLEM.
In eight Western states-CalIfornia, Oregon.
Washington. Idaho. Wyoming. Nevada, Min
nesota and Michigan-the solution OF the car
shortage problem will be sought through legisla-
tive action. in most cases by putting the matter
into the hands OF the railroad commissioners,
with power. In three OF the states-Mnnesots.
Washington and Idsho-the proposition 70 COR
rect the evil by means OF a reciprocal demurTage
charge on the railroads will be fought for.
In Illinois an anti-pass law win be urged: IN
Minnesota nat two-cent-a-rnile rate for pas
sengers will be demanded, while both OF these
measures win come up for action In Pennsyl-
vania. Nebraska. North Dakota and South Da-
kota In the Missouri Legislature move will
be made to give the railroad commissioners
power 70 fix freight rates; Minnesotans will seek
to abolish determinations in rates. and In Ne
braska there Is strong desire manifested TO
give the commissioners complete power In both
these matters. Pennsylvania already has on its
statutes a law against Determinations by COM
mon carriers, and a resolution has been intro
duced in the State Senate by Senator John ].
Murphy, of Philadelphia, for the appointment Of
a Joint committee OF both houses Ito investi-
gate alleged violations Of the constitution and
laws Of the commonwealth Of Pennsylvania by
railroad companies and their officers. agents or
employees"
Pressure VIII be brought to bear IN Illinois
and Wisconsin TO place the trolley lines Of those
states under the control Of their respective boards
OF railroad commissioners Kansas expects to
enact a law to provide for the assessment Of
railroad property for purposes OF taxation on
the same basis as other property. In Idaho the
fight against the railroad lobby will be carried
on under the leadership of Governor Cooling
In washington the railroad commissioners are
themselves asking for permission to deal with
the car shortage question.
How the railroad problem is regarded in the
states themselves IS shown by the following
dispatches from special correspondents OF The
Tribune. summing up the situation as 1t Is de-
Veloping localyG