The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1907-01-11
A TWo-Cent PASSENGER Rate.

Hitherto we have dealt largely with
the adjustment of the rates of trans
portation 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. 1t is recognized that the aver
age fare per mile paid by persons who
travel on railroads does not exceed
2.3 cents per mile. A maximum rate
of 2 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
porations to people other than bona
fide employees of railways and their
families. Our state enjoys the peculiar
distinction of having deferred action
upon this matter until other states
have taken the initiative. | recognize
that action upon this matter has hith-
erto been deferred by reason of the
fact that members of the legislature
civ ODilS DlSC GIN u hoNCD Scl
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 a beneficiary of the
favors of corporations and by reason
of gratitude be placed under some OBJ
legation to the corporation which ex-
tends the courtesy. Public opinion
has become settled as to what should
be accomplished along this line and l
urge most earnestly the early enact
ment of a law which will forever abol-
ish the pass system in Minnesota.
Reciprocal Demurrase 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 ac-
ton in the passage of such a 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 its force Of traffic ex-
perts, hold hearings of shippers and
carriers and enter into an exhaustive
investigation of u defective traffic
facilities. AS one of the chief rem
edies for the insufficient supply OF
cars. which has resulted in the loss of
thousands of dollars to Minnesota
wheat growers and in some localities
produced temporary coal famine, |
suggest a reciprocal demurrage law,
subjecting carriers to the same penal
ties for delay in furnishing cars as
the carriers impose upon shippers for
delay in loading cars.
1t is of the highest Importance that
an order made by the railroad and
warehouse commission, with reference
TO rates or c~lassifications. should 90
into effect within a reasonable time.
not to exceed thirty days, after the
order is made and should remain in
erect until modified or reversed on