The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-20
RAILROAD COMMISSION eLuNTLY
GIVES IT'S OPINION TO RAIL
ROAD MEN.
MANY ARE THERE
Transportation Experts From Every
Road In Montana Attend and citi.
zens From Billings and Other Points
session Gets Very Little Done at
First Meeting.

gEtfT AI@S
today's meeting Of the state board Of
railroad commissioners called for the
purpose Of considering the matter Of
a general distance tariff on the 10
classes Of freight on all railroads OPP
Grating In Montana, exceeded all IL
pectations.
With the single exception of the
Yellowstone Park Railroad company,
a coal road between Bridger and Bear
Creek, every line operating in the
state was represented by counsel and
in several instances by officials of
traffic departments. Commercial or
CARNATIONS, cities, firms, jobbing and
wholesale houses, shippers Of all man
ner Of reight and professional men
In general were represented.
The morning session was devoted
almost exclusively to the representa-
ton of the Northern Pacific and Great
Northern interests including a lengthy
explanation OF the situation by
Charles Donnelly, assistant general
counsel for the former road, who also
submitted various charts and com
pilations in exemplifcation Of his pc.
sition.
fGaien ls Heard.
Attorney General Galen was recog-
nized and he said that the notice OF
the hearing indicated that the meet.
ing was for the purpose of consider
ing distance tariff rates and an inves-
tigation as to the reasonableness of
rates in existence. He therefore sug-
gested that the order of procedure be
that Of requiring the railroads to show
cause why the rates should not be
reduced and that the inquiry be de-
voted to each road separately.
At this point the names of counsel
representing the Northern Pacific,
Great Northern, Butte. Anaconda &
Pacific. Montana Railroad, Chicago,
Milwaukee & st. Paul and Oregon
Short Line were formally entered at
the suggestion Of the chairman as
we'll as representatives Of commercial
organizations and business firms Of
the chief cities Of the state, such a.
Billings, Le%wistown, Missoula, Butte.
Great Falls, Helena and others.
Replying to Mr.. Donnelly, Chair
man Stanton said that the Law under
which the commission ia operating
makes It obligatory to establish rates
which It believes to be just and rea.
sonable and the board thought evil
dence should be adduced on the sub
ject. both railroads and shippers be
Ing given opportunity to be heard.
Rates Too High.
Mr.. Donnelly said he did not ques.
ton the propriety Of the call but that
the point was as to who was on the
defensive. He wanted to know II
the commission considered the rates
too high or too low.
Commissioner Godfrey said the com.
mission thought the rates too high.
Mr.. Donnelly wanted to know In
what respect. Mr.. Godfrey replied
that the report Of the Northern Pa
cifc showed higher earnings In Mon
tana than In adjoining states.
j.. M. Hannaford, second vice presi
dent and general trafic manager Of
the Northern Pacific, was then sum
moned to the stand being questioned
by Chairman Stanton. He admitted
that distance tariff rates in Montana
were IS per cent higher than In Min,
nesota, but was not prepared to admit
that they we're 50 per cent higher az
intimated by the interrogation. He
said that the principal reason NORTH
Dakota got cheaper rates than Mon
tana was because Of the coercive tao
tics Of the North Dakota legislature.
No decision has been reached in the
hearing and the commission has ad
journed the meeting Of the commits
sion subject to the call OF the chair
man. 5.