Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1907-01-11

that the railroad and warehouse com.
mission was clothed with proper legal
authority to establish fair and equita-
Die rates and that this failure to estab.
'lSn 1a1r and equitable rates was be-
cause of lack of aggressive admins
tratlon rather than a lack of legal
authority.
reductions Secured insufficient.
recommended at that time the ap-
2olntment OF joint legislative com.
ulttee to make complete and full
investigation of prevailing rates of
transportation within Minnesota with
view OF establishing by law max
'nlnm tariff rate for transportation
which might bear reasonable rate of
interest and profit on the investment,
De falr to all parts of the state and
absolutely prohibit unjust discrimina-
elcn between localities or Individuals
pursuant to that recommendation the
legislature appointed joint commit
Tee which made an investigation of
me prevailing rate conditions and, as
result thereof, the legislature adopt
eo joint resolution directing the
beard OF railroad 1;nd warehouse COM
ml:Sioners to proceed with view to a
reduction of merchandise rates within
tie state Of Minnesota. During the
past biennial period efforts have been
made by the board of railroad and
warehouse commissioners looking to-
ward a. reduction Of the rates of trans
fortation, resulting in a reduction on
merchandise rates: a voluntary reduc-
tiop ny some of the railroads in the
matter Of coal and grain rates. I am
satisfied, however, that absolute JUS
lice has not yet been done to the peO-
PIE Of the state OF Minnesota. During
The last year caused to be made a
complete tai}llation of the prevailing
rates Of transportation between points
cn the several lines Of railway within
'ne state OF Minnesota. Applying the
iowa distance tariff law to these rates
fiAd that tho shipper in Minnesota is
raging a rate Of transportation wholly
without the bounds Of Justice and fair
;t(';'- anu w SllCu Oil CAlClll, Ill
lla; ION, as to retard the real progress
Il he people Of our commonwealth. l
would recommend the appointment Of
4 Joint legislative committee with a
View Ct making study of the prevail.
ms conditions as to the various rates
Ct transportation and establishing a
distance tariff law, which will bring
some measure of prompt relief.
A Two-cent Passenger Rate.
Hitherto we have dealt largely with
the adjustment of the rates of trans
rortation on freight. The time has
come in our state when relief is also
demanded in the matter of passenger
rates. The current fare for the carry
ing Of passengers now is 3 cents per
mile. It is recognized that the aver.
aSe fare per mile paid by persons who
travel on railroads does not exceed
2.3 cents per mile. A maximum rate
Of . cents per mile should be fixed by
law and fixed now.
The time has also come for some
specific action in the matter of the
enactment of law forbidding the grant.
ing of pass privileges by railroad cor.
Dorations to people other than bona
fide employees of railways and their
families. Our state enjoys the peculiar
distinction CT having deferred action
upon this matter until other states
have taken the initiative. I recognize
that action upon this matter has hith.
ertO Geen deferred by reason of the
fact that members of the Legislature
and public officers generally have been
granted the courtesy Of free transpor-
tation. There should be no hesitancy
upon this important question. If pub.
lie officers are not adequately compen.
stated now for their services fix the
compensation to such an extent as to
make it reasonable compensation and
do away with the possibility of any
officer becoming beneficiary of the
favors Of corporations and by reason
Of gratitude be placed under some oh.
legation to the corporation which ex
tends the courtesy. Public opinion
has become settled as to what should
be accomplished along this line and
urge most earnestly the early enact
ment of law which will forever abol.
ish the pass system in Minnesota.
Reciprocal Demurrage Charges.
For many years the railroad com.
panies of Minnesota have made demur.
rage charges upon shippers without
reciprocity. A reciprocal demurrage
law, which will be fair to all parties,
is demanded by the public and should
be enacted at this session of the legis-
lature. If the members of this body
need any further enlightenment as to
the absolute necessity of prompt &C.
ton in the passage of such just and
practicable measure you will find it in
the conditions of so-called car short
age which have afflicted the agricul'
tural districts of this and neighboring
states in the Northwest during the
past ninety days. Even so fragrant
have been the conditions that the gen
eral government felt compelled to visit
this state with it's force of traffic ex-
DertS- hold hearings of SINNERS and