Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1907-03-28
official County and City Paper


rHE WAVE OF ANTt-RAILROAD LRGIs-
LATION
A few weeks ago attention was di-
Fected iD these columns to the agita-
ion in a number OF states In favor OF
liking q maximum rate of 2 cents per
nile for the transportation OF passen-
kers on railways. That the movement
widespread one ia generally known,
put 1t is not SO we'll understood just
low extended 1t has become. An in
eresting collection OF telegraphic dis
stches printed in recent issue of the.
lew York World supplies Information
earring upon this point. These dis
htches are from correspondents To-
Ated at the various state capitals and
ring the situation as regards the pro-
ress OF anti-railroad legislation pretty
bell down TO date. Itappears from the
Information thus collated that legisla-
Ion affecting the railroads unfavorably
has been introduced In the legislatures
pf twenty.eisht states; that in nineteen
btates measures have been passed or
are pending, with probability OF pass
Rng. arbitrarily reducing passenger
rates, and that In twenty states recip-
{rOcal demurrage measures have been
passed or are pending. In addition, a
humber OF states have conferred extra
ordinary powers upon their railroad
commissions.
II appears from the detailed reports
that 10 Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa. Mis-
souri, Nebraska and oklahoma bills
have been passed fixing the maximum
passenger rate at 2 cents per mile: in
Oklahoma with the proyiso that the
rate 10 not to be confiscatory or below
proper charge, based upon the cost of
service. In North Carolina a maxi.
mum passenger rate OF q cents per
mile has been fixed for all roads more
than sixty miles in length. In Ala
bama, North Dakota and South Da-
kota the maximum passenger rate has
been fixed at p cents per mile, in Kan
sas at cents per mile, and in Nevada
bill is awaiting the governors sic ma.
lure which fixes the maximum passen-
ger rate at 5 cents per mile. Reduc-
ions OF freight rates are directly pro-
Pided for In Kansas and Nevada, and
nd In number of states, including
Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas,
dissouri, Montana, Nevada and Ore
ION, railroad commissions have been
iven large powers of control over such
htes, among other matters. In NOM
er OF the states, Including Ark ansas,
pwa, North Dakota, Oregon and
Washington, reciprocal demurrage
ws have been enacted. and number
other similar measures are pending
legislation OF other kinds unfavorably
2ecting railroads has been enacted or
pending in number of the states.
All this activity directed against the
alrOads has not passed without criIi-
m or retaliatory action on their part.
Colorado the transcontinental lines
threatening the curtailment of ex-
nsiOn work and service; in Iowa the
llroads threaten to cut off all exclr-
On rates and some of their best trains
ID have already stopped cheap rates
charities and commissioners; in
tssOuri the railroads announce their
Benton to fight the 2-cent fare law
the ground that it is uncOnstitu-
pnal and involves confscation OF prop
g.; 10 Montana they are preparing to
lack the law creating the railroad
mmissiOn. and in Nebraska the rail-
ads will contest the constitutionality
the 2-cent fare law, and threaten to
I OF reduced rates for ministers and
arities, TO curtail train service and
abandon construction work. In
klahoma, South Dakota and Texas
abandonment OF work on new lines
on extensions is announced, and in
nnessee the roads threaten to cut off
sses to rembers OF the legislature
other Office holders II the pending
lent passenger rate bill is enacted.
pf public protest against the kind
legisiation affecting railroads now
ng 20 actively formulated, there has
y no lack at any time on the part OF
lrOad men. There are indications,
wever, that in some respects the at
atle Of those In control of the rail-
Ade toward the public is undergoing
change. An indication OF this is
'nd - ~ address delivered AZ the
nat dinner 0f the Atlanta Chamber
onmerce by President Finley, Of
I sonthern Railway Company. Mr..
~ exprsaeed the belief, naturally
that there il danger that the
asaaaaon intended 10 regulate rail-
q ~ prove - be An obstacle TO