The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1907-03-12
ROYAL BAKING POWDER CO., NEW Work.

sons. These exemptions are railroad
employees In good faith and their fam
tlies; ministers of religion and persons
exclusively engaged in charitable
work; veteran soldiers going to or re-
turning from Soldiers homes; rail-
road physicians and railroad attorneys
who are on the payroll of the company
and receive at least $500 per year as
salary from the company; caretak-
ers Of live stock and linemen of tele.
phone and telegraph companies All
of these exempted classes are prohib.
tied If they are public officers. For in
stance, a railroad conductor who is a
member of the city council would be
excluded from the free pass privilege.
The bill makes no mention Of newspa-
per advertising contracts and that
matter will have to be determined by
the courts. An attempt was made to
exempt these contracts expressly from
the law, but the senate refused to ac-
cept a house amendment to the bill
making the exemption. The general
sentiment Of the legislature is that the
right to so contract exists.
Two and One-HaIf Cents Fare.
The legislation which has caused
the most interest and most difference
of opinion has been the rate bill,
which, as finally passed, empowers the
railroad commissioners to fix a maxi
mum 21a rate for passenger fares.
This matter passed the senate as early
as Jan. 80, providing for maximum
OF 2R cents, but requiring that 500
mile tickets should be sold at $40,
good until used and good in the hands
of the bearer. After exciting legisla-
tive parleys this senate bill was killed
by the house. A house bill upon the
same subject followed parlous course
for weeks, some times up and some
times down, but was finally amended
to provide simply that the commits
sioners may fix 212-cent maximum.
The reason for the change Of front, as
stated by Mr.. Glass on the floor, was
that 1t had been ascortained that the
original bill cOnilicted with the deci-
sion of the supreme court OF the Unit
ed States in the Lake Shore and Mich
igan Southern case and that the bill,
IL enacted in that form, would have
been without effect.
Another highly important bill af-
fecting rates clothes tie railroad COM
mission with power to employ experts
and ascertain the true value OF all rail-
road property In the state as basis
for adjusting rates. 1t will be readily
seen that rates must be, In good de-
gree, based upon the sum invested in
the common carriers property and un-
til this is ascertained no great prog
ress In ratemaking can be made. Sup
Elementary to this act the general ap-
propriations bill carries an item of
$4,000 for the use of the railroad COM
mission in ascertaining the true value
Of the roads.
Track Connection at functions.
Still another exceedingly important
measure requires the railroads to
make track connections at junction
for carrying freight in bulk lots.
There are several other acts affect.
ing the railroads. The method of tax
alton has been quite reyolutionized.
The value of the property Is no longer
to be prorated over the entire line,
but each taxing district will get the
benefit Of all of the railroad property
located within it. This will be an ad-
vantage to the towns and cities. The
method of assessment, too, is quite
changed and under heavy penalties
the roads are required to return all OF
their property for taxation and the
state board of equalization and assess.
ment has enlarged powers in ferreting
out property liable to assessment.
The roads also are held In double
damages for live stock killed by them
or for fires set by their engines, pro-
vided a settlement is not made or an
amount rendered within sixty days
equal to the damages determined by
the court. This Is intended only to
hasten satisfactory settlements and
to discourage annoying and protracted
litigation.
Another very much discussed meas
ure provides for reciprocal demurrage.
Railroads are to be mulcted In dam,
ages to the extent of 81 per day for
every day of failure to provide cars
upon demand, or for neglect to for
ward them promptly or continuously
or to deliver them promptly after ar
rival at destination. The shipper Will
be held for damages in the same meas
ure II he fails to load or unload
promptly. This bill was seriously OBJ
jected to by many members because
of the opportunity 1t will afford rail-,
roads to give rebates to favored ship.
pers. However, 1t passed both houses
with but few opposing votes.
Employers Liability Act.
The fellow servant act. making en-