The Mena weekly star., 1908-10-15
SENATOR LOGAN ON
 RAILROAD RATES
Polk County Man Pfophesies Next Legislature Will Get Busy if Freight and Passenger Tar
 ifs Are Increased.

Iohu F. Logan, the EeWiy eleC- ted state senator from Polk aud Scott county, has written a letter to the Arkansas Gazette in which he discusses the three cents-a- mile railroad rate. Senator Lo- gan in speaking of the three Gent rate. states that he wants all ,hose who travel in the state Of Arkansas 10 carry blank receipt hooks, so that when they buy uckets they can get receipts for for them. He argues that doz- on or more travellers can get to- oether. with their books as evil deuce. and by instituung suit, "teach the railroads to respect the laws of the state"
 Senator Logan's Letter
 ''I notice that tue railroads have given notice that on the 18th of this month they will re- iustate the Scent rate, in accord ance with the injunction allowed them against the railroad com mission. 1 note also that they have ralssd the freight rates. 1 -ote in some instances that the freight rate has been raised far above what they had it before the commission lowered II. In other words under the sanction aud proteciioD of the United States courts the railroads will proceed at once to impose on the people. Is 1t any wonder that the people demand legislation and protection against the rail- roads. for they themselves invite such legislation py their owu utter disregard of the rights of the people, my judgment is, that their arbitrary action Tn this matter they will cause the incoming legislature to euact stringent laws that will be up held, and 1t only hastens the day when complete control ot rail- roads will be taken ever by the people.
 Law enacted by the last legislature Tn making the ? cents, as I understand, was not left the commissien to enforce, but 1t is self-enforcing, and the question ot the state having right to control the roads within her borders IS assailed, so the ques- ton of the states rights is called iu question and this state ought to do IS the state of North Caro- lima did.
 That state passed law mak- ing the passengers rate ? l-4 cents and the railroads went be- fore the United States courts, as lhey dld in this case. and secured an injunction against the en- .f0rcement If the law and under took with the assistance of the United states marshals, under the direc. instruction of Presi' dent Roosevelt, to enforce the law. When the governor called out the militia and enforced the law, the roads agreed to re- spect and abide by it, which they are doing today. That should be done in this state.
 "It is an infringement of state rlghis, and the governor ought 10 enforce the law II necessary with the militia. For if this law IS not valid, when can we enact a law that will be valid, for with the encroachment that the Uni- ted Sto tes courts are making, It will not be long until II will be impossible for the legislature to pass any law governing railroads that will not be set aside by the United States courts? The law of 1907, making the rate ? cents IS self enforcing 10 certain ex- tent, and every citizen in the state who travels should carry wit5 him receipt book, and when he purchases ticket from one point in Arkansas to an other point in Arkansas, he snou.d take the agents receipt and then about a dozen or more enter suit againts ihe railroad company, Ii every man travelling should do this It would teach the railroads to respect the laws of the state, Respectfully
 John F. Logau.'