The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-03-02

to wipe out all unjust or unlawful dis
elimination and to reach a result, il
possible, that viii secure equality 81
rates to all.
Resolved, Further, that the sum OF
fifty thousand dollars ESQ, 00O) be ap.
propriated at this session and placed
at the disposal of the board to be used
by them In carrying out the spirit and
intent OF these resolutions"
NOftzger Made Speech.
Senator Noftzrer made the principal
speech on this important resolution
He said in part:
Whatever the legislature may do
az pest Is but temporary expedient
next two years. Within six months
whatever we may do with reference to
railroad rates may be out of date: IT
may not fit at all a condition then
existing.
But I am in favor of going further
than We are able to do by direct leg
islation- I think it is important that
this legislature go futher than that.
and arrange for the board of railroad
commissioners to proceed to make an
investigation of this whole matter. In
Guiding both freight and passenger
schedules, and that after they shall
have made that investigation, after
they have found out all the facts in the
matter from men who make 1t their
business to know, and do know, to put
into effect such rates as are fair and
just and equitable, and rates that may
prevent discrimination.
"One thing was brought out here in
the extended debates of this present
week and that was the ignorance of
every man in this body on the subject
OF railroad rates. 1t was shown that
the rate business the science of max
ing rates-is of a most complicated
nature What this legislature can do
Is at best but a temporary makeshift-
TO Mt the needs of the passing hour
What want to do is to place it in the
power of the board of railroad com
misstoners to go still further than we
have been able to go; to hire experts
to probe into and investigate the
facts, and after such information is at
heir disposal, and after mature de-
and give the people just the rates, both
.relght and passenger, as is equally
air and just to the railroads and the
people Now $4,000 a year is not too
huch- Inc single proposition of
-ate expert will cost from eight to ten.
Or from six to eight thousand dollars a
year and that is on the rate PROPOSE
ION alone Now then in order to de-
e IN ne this question it may be neces-
'ary 10 go into the proposition of the
1aIuat1on of every railroad in the
;tate. They will have to make a care |
III investigation. You will find before
ms. ms BOARD railroad attorneys drawing |
rom $4,000 a year up. You are go
ns TO oppose them with man draw |
ng one-tenth their salary. Now we |
must have mcnev to hire counsel. and |
NAT, you may understand, is a propo- |
1tion that costs money You will have |
o furnish them with sufficient money |
o enable them to hire ability enough !
o match the railroads on every point |
nat they may bring before the board |
Now, Mr.. President, in order to en-
loIe this board to do their duty they |
must have funds. We have passed the |
natter up to the board of railroad |
commissioners men-and If we
10 1t without any funds-I care not
low we'll they may be versed in rail-
Dad problems; 1 care not whether
hey may be the best railway men in
his country-they may be ex-man-
gers of raflroads-they Will not be
n position to meet the questions
hat are to be brought before them
Without money. 1 think the attorney
or the board should have assistance
nd enough money should be placed in
heir hands to enable them to hire
nen of ability"