The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1907-01-01
WESTERNERS WANT
CHANCES IN LAWS
RAILWAY AND INSURANCE COM.
PANlES ARE TO RECEIVE
BRUNT OF REMEDIES.
PLAN SWEEPING CHANGE
In the Matter Of Traffic and Rates
Many of the Proposed Measures
Were Prompted BY the Fuel
Famine in Northwest.

Chicago, Dec. 31--Legislators OF
the western states are girding on
their armor for the most brilliant
fight they ever made for the square
deal. Advance information from the
= various state capitals indicates that
more vital legislation for reform OF
public abuses will be enacted than
during any previous single period in
the history of the west. Likewise
there promises to be more spectacu-
lar battles on the floors of state as
semblies than ever before.
The year 1907 is to be the begin
ming of a new epoch in curbing the
rapacious and in conserving the wei
fare and the rights Of the everyday
citizen.
Public service corporations, es.
pecially the team railways and in
surance companies are to be the main
! targets for reform and remedial laws.
Bills offered for enactment into sta
tutes will range from the timldly con
servative to the limit of radicalism,
with prospects that several states
will take advance ground and estab
! fish novel precedents.
The foregoing summary shows where
| the decisive battles are to be fought
out and what are the dominant issues
at stake. The governors in most in
stances make the declarations of war
in their messages. but battle cries
will come as well from Legislators
and from administrative department
chiefs.
Stirred BY Fuel Famine.
Aroused by fuel famines and the
inability to forward grain, live
stock and other commodities to mar
ket, the legislatures of a dozen states |
viii assail he railtoads on thl car |
shortage problem. State railroad com |
missions will be clothed with greater
power to deal with this evil or RENE
dial laws will be enacted dealing di
recty with the problem. OF the many
measures proposed that for recipr0-
cal demurrage charge is the main re-
lance of lawmakers.
Bills covering railroad regulation
will be many and diverse. Several
states will create railroad commits
sions with broad jurisdiction in deal {
ing with rates and services. Existing {
in other states are to
have their hands strengthened that ]
they may successfully tackle prob 9
lens that have arisen in transporta. I
ion affairs. 4
There is a widereaching demand c
for a two-cent passenger fare. for an S
law as broad as the recent c
act of congress, and for a heavier tax
alton of railroad properties. Around +
hose propo. ais some hot fights win ia
revolve v
Four state legislatures are pledged h
% enact a broad primary election law. h
covering congressional state and n
county Offices Political bosses are p
'ounding up their forces to antag, b
'nizc these measures and fur will fly
,-plenty.
The governors of several states will
emphasize I'm their messages the cry
ng need Of nominating candidates by
popular vote. instead of by snap con
'ention.
To Regulate Insurance. -
Bills regulating insurance promise
o be as plentiful as those relating
o railroads. Valuer policies, curbing
f premiums. distribution Of accumu
atoms. adjustment of table rates for
he better projection of the insured a,
nd requirements regarding invest. c
nents of earnings are some Of the G.
lattcrs to be considered. o.,
Local option in dealing with the :.
quor traffic is to be fought in sew. N
raj states and more drastic laws re. nj
iting 10 licenses will be enacted
Bills relating to taxation will be q
ictated by the local needs in the u
arious states but most Of them will o.,
q aimed al railroads and other Cur a,
Texas must revise her sys =,
IN to gee revenue 10 meet s4Odo.On 9,
efficiency which Is imminent She =,
Ipescs getting a big percentage Of .,
from the railroads Wisconsin has -,
milar aspirations a.
Protecting Depositors. -.
The income tax ana the divorce -.
lestiOn DO not figure largely in the =.
finnish talk. but scores Of measures
ill be offered TO cUlrect abuses Wis.
,nsin. always coming forward with
imething 10 talk about, Is I'm train
z for graduated income tax strug
e.