Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-12-06
CANTON SOUTH DAKOTA FRIDAY. DECEMBER 8. 100
GOVERNOR CRA WFORD
OUT FOR THE SENA TE

state openly opposed the passage OF
the law for months while it was un-
der debate.
IS. Senator Kittredge voted against
the proposed amendment to the rate
bill, which provided for the ascertain
ment of the physical valuation of the
railroads as a basis for determining
whether rates charged by them were
excessive or not.
Sc Last year, in a letter to Con-
gresham Watson, President Roosevelt
referred to the obstacles interposed by
the railroads to The building of the
Panama canal and said their opposi-
tion sometimes took the form OF a
demand for an Investment under cir
cumstances which would mean indetin-
ite delay. Sometimes it takes the form
of determined opposition to the adop-
tion OF the plans which will anable the
work to be done, not merely in the
best, but in the equickest possible way.
The plan adopted by the government
is lock canal.
Senator Kittredge wanted sea-
level canal, which would require twice
the time and 100 million dollars more,
and just before congress adjourned in
June, 1906. he attempted to pass res
olution by the aid of democratic votes
in the canal committee, to continue
the investigation of complaints against
the canal management upon the 18TH
mus during the recess of congress.
The president complained in his letter
to Congressman Watson Of sinister
opposition and demands for investiga-
tion which would mean indefinite de-
lay.
81. During all the years that the
Kittredge machine was in power the
railroads in South Dakota paid the
lowest tax per mile in any state in the
union.
RECORD OF 1907.
49, The legislature of 1907 was free
from the railroad domination and free
from control by Senator Kittredge and
his friends Result.
THE enactment in one session OF
the following laws affecting public SER
vice corporations:
Requiring them to pay taxes upon
terminals and other property situated
within cities and town: directing the
board of railroad commissioners to as
certain the cash value Of the railroads
within the state and appropriating
money for that purpose; making it un-
lawful to destroy competition by un-
just discrimination; state primary
election law: prohibiting corporations
from making contributions for CAM
paign purposes; making secret lobby
ing for corporations and special inter-
ests crime; giving the board OF rail-
way commissioners power to examine
the books and accounts of public
warehousemen; directing the board Of
railroad com missioners by schedule to
fix maximum passenger rates at 2A
cents per mile; compelling railroads
to put in connecting tracks at junction
points and do make joint rates; re-
quiring railroads to pay double dam
ages for unreasonable delay in making
settlement for damages to livestock or
property destroyed by fire; making
railroad companies liable toemployees
for damages caused by negligence Of
co-employes; limiting the continuous
hours of service of railway operatives
to Is hours; abolishing free passes.
cit promptly passed a joint resolu-
tion endorsing the policies of the pres
ident in relation to transportation
charges and unlawful trusts and COM
binations. But Parmley, the leader Of
Senator Kittredge's friends in the
house voted against it, House Jour-
nal, pages 13S, 29S: Senate Journal,
page 375.)
ssUnder the new railroad revenue
law, the state board of assessment in
creased the assessed valuation of the
railroads that were in the state last
year "a per cent: 1t more than doubled
the assessed valuation OF the express
companies; it materially increased the
assessed valuation Of tire Dakota Cen
trail telephone lines and the Western
Union Telegraph company. AS a board
Of equalization it adopted ratio Of
one thi. d of the actual value Of all
property, and for the purpose of treat
ing all classes of property as nearly
alike as possible, it reduced the as
sessment of bank stocks from SO pei
cent to 40 per cent, while real estate
railroads, live stock, merchandise. and
all other property were valued upon
the basis of 80 per cent.
every special appropriation made
for new buildings, with the exception
of the new capitol, was recommended
by the supervising boards and was
necessary.
1 DIRECT CHALLENGE
/ "I am prepared to defend this rec
ord before any audience in the STATE
and challenge Senator Kittredge t
discuss all these issues in the oper
with me.
| ibid any one ever, hear him, or an.
of his lieuterants, advocate any of tn
reforms enacted into law last winter
i cit is no answer to accuse us OF IN
consistency in opposing Senator Kit