The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-05-16


johnson in powerful speech so ex-
and conclusively barred ex-
listing unequal and exorbitant rates
that the railway companies voluntarily
made reduction Of 10 per cent on
grain rates on their lines in northern
Minnesota. By order Of the railway
commission, REINFORCED by subsequent
legislation. this voluntary reduction
was followed by a horizontal reduc-
ton in maximum freight rates Of about
13 per cent, and there was created q
new class Of merchandise tariff in
which the rates were reduced about 20
per cent. The railways took these re-
ductions into the United States courts
by enjoining the attorney general of
Minnesota from enforcing the. law.
This action has opened up some of the
most important litigation Involving
constitutional Interpretation that has
come before the supreme court in this
generation.
The Two Cent Law.
The enactment of the two cent pas
senger tariff law was an example of
Governor Johnson's celebrity of action.
Invited to address the Minnesota Edi-
torial association, instead Of making
the usual platitudinous address on such
occasions, 'he exploded the two cent
bomb" and urged that an end be put to
the giving of passes. he talked on
the same subject to a convention of
commercial travellers. Immediately the
state was adame with this innovation
In railway legislation. When the legis-
lature met he asked for a law embody-
ing this idea, and the legislature quick
ly responded. Neighboring states fol-
lowed with reductions, and now
throughout the middle northwest the
two cent rate prevails.
About the time Governor johnson
came into Office there was a wide
spread agitation for reciprocal demur-
rage laws which would compel rail-
ways to allow shippers, demurrage
charges for failure to deliver cars on
time: Governor Johnson, ever abreast
Of popular progress, recommended such
a law and got it .viS - =. :.
Thanks to his initiative, the orders
Of the Minnesota railroad and ware
house commission are now Immediate
~ effective pending appeal.
In Defense of Labor.
Governor johnson, in consonance
with his thorough democracy and be-
lieving in equal rights, has not been
neglectful Of the interests of labor. He
desired free state employment bu-
reau designed to eliminate the many
abuses that have marked private en-
ployment bureaus In the great labor
centers Of Minnesota. Such a bureau
was created and has been thoroughly
helpful and widely efficient.
Since time immemorial that relic of
feudalism, the common law doctrine of
nonliability Of employer to employee
for injuries occurring through the negli-
gence OF fellow servant, has prevail
ed In Minnesota as we'll as in many
other states. This ancient rule Of the
common law" said Governor johnson.
coupled with the other rule generally
referred to as the doctrine of the as
sumption of risk by employees, has
cast upon the individual lahorer a risk
and responsibility OUT or proportion to
the wages he receives"
During his term Of Office Governor
johnson has had to deal with one
great conflict between labor and capt.
tal-namely, the strike of the miners
on the Minnesota iron ranges. BY d.
rect personal Intervention, by advice
to the employers on the one hand and
the strikers on the other, the governor
succeeded. without the use Of state
troops. In preventing violence and
bloodshed.
In the forests and prairies Of north
ern Minnesota are great ,extents of
fertile lands which, owing to lack of
drainage, have not been available for
cultivation. Thanks to Governor John
son, additional legislation on this SUBJ
ject was secured, and hundreds Of
thousands of acres zot fertile land win
be added to- the rolls of the states
wealth. Ii; 80 - t 3.
Governor johnson believes I'M tho:
municipal ownership Of public utilities,
and, following his suggestion, modi-
fed form Of the Illinois Mueller. law
was adopted by the Minnesota legisla-.
ture. Under its provisions q municipal
ity may bond its-street railways or
other public utilities to pay the cost Of
the purchase and operation Of the
same. - tsff5s$.sS ~ - . #& r.
Minnesota. a leading agricultural
state, has long had is contend with
the cordage trust which has practi-
cal monopoly Of the binding Irvine
used in harvesting. For many years
the state has had ID Irvine plant In
which, prison labor was employed. The
trust erected u factory IN Minnesota
70 compete with the state made twsvine,.
and Governor Johnsoon's answer Was,
With the consent sof the legislature;
authorization Tor. the state Irvine plant
to sell it, roduct outside ID ven al
within the state. The cordage trust
will now have to hght the cheap Min
nesota state maadassttiW mo III other states.
Al we'll An Mt hem II