Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1907-06-14
Gov, HUGHES VETOES
TWO-CENT FARE ACT.
ROADS HAVE SINNED, BUT PEOPLE
HAVE NO RIGHT TO HOLD
THEM UP.
LEGISLATURE MADE ERROR.
Made No Preliminary Inquiry, Says New
York Executive, Which Would War
rant It's Arbitrary Action.

ALBANY, N. Y, June 11.-Gov.
Hughes today vetoed the bill instituting
a fiat passenger rate Of 2 cents mile
on every railway system in the state
more than $50 miles long.
In the course of his veto message the
governor pointed out that the passage
of the bill was not preceded by leglsla-
tive investigation or suitable inquiry I'M
der the authority of the state. Nor IS
the fixing of this rate predicated on re-
ports of statistics officially collated which
would permit fair conclusion as to the
justice of it's operation with reference
to the railways within its purvieW."
Refusals Not Warranted
The governor says also in part:
'Iniustice on the part of the railway
corporations toward the public does not
Justify injustice on the part OF the state
toward the railway corporations. Inc
action of the government should DE Ialr
and impartial and upon this every cltF
zen, whatever his interest is entitled TO
insist. The fact that those in control OF
railroad corporations have been guilty
of grossly improper fnancler1ng ana OF
illegal and injurious determinations III
charges, points clearly to the necessity
of effective state action, but does not Ne
quire or warrant arbitrary reprlsals.
First of All, Justice.
In dealing with these questions De
mocracy must demonstrate It's capacity
to act upon deliberation and to deal just
~.
1T is of the greatest Importance not
only that railroads should be compelled
to respect their public obligations, but
also that they should be permitted to
,,,,Ja,. conditions which Will give
a fair return for their service.
Upon this depends not simply the
security of investors. but the security OF
their employees and the protection OF eV-
cry form of industry and commerce
through the maintenance and extension
of necessary transportation facilities
Nothing could be more opposed. 10
the interests of the community as a
whole than to cripple the transportation
corporations by arbitrary reduction OF
earnings.
Relief in Service Board.
considerable differences exist between
the railway corporations with respect TO
the territory they serve and the cost OF
service and it is manifest that what
would be fair for one might be lar from
fair for another"
The governor refers to the public serv-
ice commission provided for in the law
recently enacted and adds that provision
is made for inquiry into matters of
freight rates and passenger fares and
for the fixing of such rates as shall be
found Just and reasonable If a passen-
ger rate of cents a mile is just and
reasonable, it can be fixed. If it is not
just and reasonable, it should not be
fixed"
Roads to Fight Two-Cent Fare.
KANSAS CITY, Mo-, June 1.-THE
railroads Of Missouri will fight the 2
cent fare in the courts. Frank Hager-
man, representing eighteen railroads,
served notice yesterday on Herbert s.
Hadley, attorney general, that on Fri
day morning he will ask the federal
court to enjoin the enforcement of the
2-cent fare law.