Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1907-02-07
OUR LINCOLN LETTER +:
Gossip from the State Capital Legislative and Otherwise

ssSSSSSSSSSsSSSSYSSSySSSSS
IN making changes in the Aldrich
railroad bill referred to elsewhere,
the joint committee has a number Of
matters under consideration For in.
stance, the task OF making the rate
schedule-when it shall be done and
what shall be the nature OF the i'm
mediate work expected Of the commits
sion--is one of the most important
questions. The Aldrich bill compel9
the commission to prepare classifi-
cation of rates as soon as practicable.
This classification is expected by
many at an early date, while others
believe the wording OF the bill should
give the commission fullest oppor-
tunity for investigation and study and
should not fix the time when 1t Is ex-
pected, though of course SO providing
that immediate relief might be given
in many lines. The task of compiling
a new schedule will be a monumental
one and should the commission be
expected to promulgate a complete
rate sheet at an early date, some who
have studied the matter believe the
best results would not follow.
The following preamble and resolu-
ton adopted in the house is its own
explanation:
Whereas, In the consideration Of
the various bills now pending relative
to the powers of the railroad commits
sion and freight and passenger rates,
1t is imperative that the joint railroad
committee of the house and senate
have for its guidance and incarnation
all the data and facts available per-
tanning to these subjects; therefore
be it
Resolved, That the state bureau OF
statistics be instructed to furnish the
joint railroad committee of this legis-
lature with the tariff schedules Of the
railroads operating in Nebraska and
all obtainable statistics and data con-
corning railroad rates, shipments and
such other information as may be
germane to the subject.
Some legislators are of the opinion
that the university 1-mill levy should
be abolished and direct approprfa-
ton made for its maintenance. A bill
is pending providing that the govern
ment funds given to the university and
all other funds except the levy shall
be paid out by the state treasurer on
warrants Issued by the auditor upon
certificates filed the Board of Re-
gents. This includes the cash fund
which during the last bi-ennium
amounted to almost 100000. 1t has
been pointed out that should this bill
pass it will not be necessary for sue.
ceeding legislatures to appropriate this
money as has been the custom in the
past, and therefore in asking the legis
lature for appropriations the regents
need not take this money into consid
Grafton. AS the law stands, the gu
preme court has ruled that it Is moi
necessary for the government funds te
be appropriated, but 1t has said moth
ing about the cash fund
At this writing members of the
joint committee, two senators and two
representatives, appointed to draft
railroad bills, are busy with their
work. 1t will be their duty to frame n
measure that will empower the rail-
road commission to act and define it's
powers and mode of procedure. Sen
ator Aldrich, one of the committee,
has made an extended study of the
railroad situation in those states
where railway commissions have been
In effect for many years and where
the laws have been tested in the
courts. He, in drawing his bill,
sought to follow those provisions
which have stood the brunt of much
litigation. 1t is quite well understood
that in the main the style and form
Of his bill, known as s. F. As, will be
followed.
A bill that Senator Lalla of Burt
has introduced provides that any rail
road company operating train OF
more than one car, who shall make ur
or operate train carrying passen
gers on any car who shall make I'D or
operate a train with a car carrying
passengers in front of a car carrying
express, freight or baggage, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and
upon conviction shall be punished by
a fine of not less than 800 and not
more than $1,000.
The anti-sporting element will prob
ably be disturbed over the bill in
troduced in the house allowing base
ball to be played on Sunday if the city
council or the county commissioners
give permission, in any town or county
, In the state, Back Of the bill are lined
up the base ball fans OF Lincoln and
some of the smaller towns of the
state.