Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-12
AIMED AT RAILROADS
LEGISLATION PROPOSED IN THE
VARIOUS STATES.
Harriman's Disclosures Said to Be Re-
sponsible for Much Of the Popu-
lar Hostility Manifested.

Whein the crusade for legislative reguia-
ton of railroads was begun in Congress two
years age statesmen and business men pre-
dicted that 1t would be followed by similar
action by state legislatures. The record OF
the new legislatures of this year has borne
out that prophecy in large number OF
cases. The crop of anti-railroad legislation
that has followed the first sowing OF the
seed in Congress is startling to the rail-
roads and they are calling for help.
The effect of the legislation Is shown In
the steadily declining prices OF railway
shares, due, 1t is said, to public apprehen-
sion Of still further action.
The Hartman disclosures are said to be
responsible for much of the hostility to cor
porations in general, and the pubic ID pc
lieved to be thoroughly aroused and suspi-
cious of all kinds of public service corpora,
lions. Foreigners have taken fright ana
have been unloading their American rail-
The fever for adverse legislation by the
states seems to have been sporadic IN cnar-
acter New England was comparatively
free from il. although that section Is In the
tolls Of the greatest transportation complne
in the Union which has just been enlarged
by taking in the coastwise steamship sys-
tenn
The Anticipation Fever.
The fever broke out in New York state
In most virulent form; 1t appeared IN
West Virginia, skipping New Jersey and
Delaware; it affected Pennsylvania and
Ohio it ragged in the Mississippi valley
and prairie states: it jumped the Rocky
mountain states, but appeared in spots
on the Pacific coast, and was epidemic
in the southern states.
The most popular forms OF railroad
legislation were two-cents-a-mile fare bills
and bills authorizing state commissions
to regulate >freights and railroad afairs
generally. A number of states passed
such laws at the sessions now drawing
to q close, or just ended, and in many
other states agitation began which prom
ises lively times at the next sessions.
A very interesting situation exists In
New York state, brought about by the
Hearst agitation of the past two years,
and made acute by Gov. Hughes enorts
at corporation reform and control. me
present session of the legislature, 1T is
said, breaks all records for anti-corpora-
ton bills. Both houses are fairly
swamped with them, and on top of them
all comes Gov. Hughes pet measure to
create two commissions to control all
public utilities.
A wave of anti-railroad legislation
swept over the tier of prairie states. from
North Dakota to Texas. Nebraska passed
a two-cent-fare bill, and is expected to
give the state railroad commission power
to fix rates. Anti-pass and demurrage
bills are also expected to. pass. North
Dakota passed a number of bills, includ-
ing two-cent mileage books and two
and one-half-cent fiat fare; provision for
demurrage; reducing working hours of
railroad employees. and authorizing
sweeping investigation Of all public util-
tiles by commission. South Dakota
followed, with legislation of a similar
character. The legislatures Of other
states of this section agitated the SUBJ
ject of railroad control.
Refused to Join Crusade.
Colorado, Utah and Wyoming positively
refused to enter the anti-railroad crusade
Utah said she wanted more railroads, and
would give them free rein. Colorado made
bluff at legislation, but the bills that die
pass were harmless. Montana contente6
herself with providing for a railroad COM
mission, modelled after the commissions OF
other states.
California was very moderate, general
employees liability act being about the ex-
tent of the legislation. Oregon passed q
comprehensive law empowering the state
commission to regulate rates. providing fol
reciprocal demurrage and giving general
restrictive control Of the railroads. Nevada
provided fog railroad commission with
two-cent-fare law and otherwise indicated
disposition to keep sharp eye on thu
railroads.
In the southern states there was a great
deal of anti-railroad legislation. and Ala
bama seemed to go the limit. The legisla
ture itself fixed rates on more than a hun
dred articles of freight, making sweeping
reduced to two and One-half cents a mile
reciprocal demurrage was provided for, ,ant
railroads were prevented from removing
suits from state to federal courts.