Morris tribune., 1909-03-13


of vacant lots was taken into consider
alton it can readily be seen that the
expense involved would be so great
as to make it impracticable for the
roads to make change admitted to be
in the interest of the public at large.
Another railroad bill provides for
doing away with what are called
"dinky" cabooses. These are small
cabooses without toilet facilities and
with only hunks enough for three
men. They have no springs and the
axles are rigid. They are in the last
degree uncomfortable to ride, but the
most important objection to them in
that they are dangerous and liable to
Jump the track. These dinky ca
booses are not in general use. but are
used OH the range roads, and of course
the range roads are fighting the bill.
Considering the dividends these roads
pay, one would think that they could
afford to provide cars in which their
employees could ride comfortably and
safely.
The johnson bill to prohibit stock
watering was to have been considered
at the last meeting of the house rail-
road committee, but the hearing was
deferred until later date. It doesn't
make great deal of difference. The
bill, it is along the same lines as the
Rockne bill of two years ago, is mark
ed for defeat anyway. People seem
to have lost interest very generally in
railroad reform, and when the people
lose interest the peoples represen-
tatives are little likely to exert them
selves to bring about reform of any
kind. Possibly that's what's the mat
ter with the present legislature all
along the line, for there isn't as yet
much indication of anything except
big appropriations. But I notice the
corporations never lose interest. Let
measure effect them ever SO slight
ly and they are here in punches to
protest against it.
There is one bill, however, they
aren't fighting and it has been recon-
mended for passage. 1t provided for
keeping the valuation of railroads up
to date, using as basis the valuation
recently made under the direction of
the railroad and warehouse commits
sioners by Mr.. Morgan. ssas bill re-
quires the railroads to furnish the nee
essary information twice a year Or
oftener if called upon.
Ten per cent of the liquor license
money is to go to the counties if the
Duea bill becomes law. Representa-
tive Lee intend ded the proposition to
be 80 per cent and Mr.. King thought
Is per cent about right, but the house
approved the bill as presented.
Senator Cashman's bill, re. enacting
the rate law of 1907 without the PEN
alizing clauses decided by the United
State supreme court in the Young
case to be unconstitutional has reach
ed the house committee after having
passed the senate. Mr.. Lennon gave
notice Saturday that he intended to
oppose its passage. That is not likely,
however, to prevent its going through,
Representative Ware has introduc-
ed bill devising an entirely new
scheme of nominating candidates.
The parties are to elect two delegates
from each precinct in June. These
delegates are to meet in their respec-
tive wards and commissioner districts
and select delegates to State, judicial,
congressional, senatorial and county
conventions. These convention are
to select three candidates for each
office, and the nominations are to be
made at the September primaries out
of these lists.
That brewers should pay a license
fee is the opinion of Mr.. Mattson of
Roseau county. He would require
them to pay from 800 to $1,000 a
year according to the business done.
He would also require wholesalers to
pay license fee of $500 in villages
and 81 900 in cities. He would let up
on the retailer, however, taxing him
only 800 in villages and 5000 in cities.
Near DeathsIn RiogPond