The Cairo bulletin., 1907-01-01
WESTERNERS WANT
CHANCES IN LAWS
RAILWAY AND INSURANCE CON-
PANiES 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 corporal ons. es.
peciaIly 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 viii range from the timidly con
seryatiye to the limit of radicalsm
with prospects that several states
will take advance ground and estab
ish novel precedents.
The foregoing summary shows where
the de- ecisive 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 dozen states
will assail The railroads on th- ear. |
shortage problem. State railroad com
missions viii be clothed with greater
power to deal with this evil or RENE
dial laws will be enacted dealing di
rectly with the problem. OF the many
measures proposed thar for recipro-
cal demurrage charge is the main re-
nance Ol lawmakers.
Bills covering railroad regulation
will be many and diverse. Several
states will create railroad lcommis- K
sions with broad Jurisdiction in deal {
ing with rates and services. Existing {
in other states are to
nave their hands strengthened that j
hey may successfully tackle prob a
ems that have arisen in transporta- /
ion affairs. d
There is a wide-reaching demand c
or a two-cent passenger fare, for an $
inti-pass law as broad as the recent C
lct of congress, and for heavier tax
,tion of railroad properties. Around 4
hese propo ais some hot fights win u
evolve. v
Four state legislatures are pledged h
o enact a broad primary election law. b
covering congressional, state and II
ounty offices. Political bosses are p
oundng up their forces to antaS. b
nizc these measures and fur will fly
plenty.
The governors Of several states will
mphasize in their messages the cry.
ng need of nominating candidates by
opular vote, instead of by snap con
entiOn.
To Regulate Insurance.
Bills regulating insurance promise
0 be as plentiful as those relating
. railroads. Values policies, curbnG
premiums. distribution Of accumu
atoms, adjustment of table rates for
he better pro ectiOn Of the insured Al
nd requirements regarding invest. G
rents of earnings are some of the G
lattcrs to be considered io,
Local option in dealing with the S
quor traffic is to be fought in sew n
raj states and more drastic laws re. fi
lting 10 licenses will be enacted
Bills relating to taxation will bc
ictated by the local needs in the 81
arious states. but most of them viii o.,
e aimed al railroads and other cor a,
nrations. Texas must revise her sys q.
m to &c. revenue TO meet s40Jo0e0 q,
which j. imminent She -,
upescs getting a big percentage Of "a
from the railroads Wisconsin las N,
milar aspirations. IA
Protecting Depositors. 81,
The income tax ana the divorce -,
IestiOn DO not figure largely in the -,
.irmish talk. but scores Of measures -.
III be offered 10 cu-rec. abuses. Wis -
'nsin always coming forward with
mething to talk about is in train
z for a graduated income tax stTug
e.