Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1910-10-20

You who live in the localities where.
such bitches are constructed are more
or less familiar with the subject. In
view OF the great amount of wet,
sWampy, and overflowed lands in the
northern half Of our state and in view
OF the fact that these lands when
properly drained are as fertile and pro-
ductive as the best of our other lands,
1t Is evident that the drainage and rec
.lamation of these lands is matter
of the utmost Importance second to
none other for the future growth,
progress, and development of our
state. Thousands of happy farm homes
can be made on these lands, which
Will not only prove blessing to such
builders, but will also tend to
minimize and lessen the congestion in
our great cities. What irrigation
means to the far west drainage means
to our state; and land drained is not
like irrigated land continually subject
to an annual charge for it's successful
cultivation.
Railway Regulation and the Grading
and Inspection of Grain.
Minnesota is a great agricultural
state and in normal years is the great
est wheat-producing state in the Union,
ana as consequence the marketing,
other, grains and cereals is a matter of
the utmost Importance to all her people.
Inc earliest ear attempt at railway regula-
viding for the appointment Of a Single
railway commissioner, but giving him
only the power to investigate and re-
Rent aa the RSnysea cGndon Of the
passed the. act of March 6, 1871, pre-
scribing statutory rates for freight and
passengers. but providing no machinery
were superseded by the act of March 6,
1874. providing for the appointment by
the governor Of a board Of three rail-
ta em of 1 to h hSd b ose for
given power. on it's own initiative, to
The act prohibited unjust discrimina-
short haul clause. It also provided for
track connections at intersecting points
so that cars could be readily transferred
ed for track connections with elevators
and warehouses on or adjacent to the
right Of way. The act also prescribed
sued for Its enforcement. The act of
1874 was repealed and superseded by
the act of March 8. 1875, which provided
for the election of a single railroad
tions Of law and the physical condition
Of the roads and their management, etc.
prohibited Determinations, and also
prohibited unreasonable rates. The act
OF 1875 was repealed and superseded by
the act Of March s. 1885, providing for
Railroad and Warehouse Commission,
consisting of three members, with pow
er to investigate and report on various
power. The act laid down some general
rules about Determinations and rates,
but otherwise was not much of a rate
Practically Superseded i by the heS act esa of
March Z, 1887, which continued the
Railroad and warehouse Commission of
three members. but equipped it with
the rate-mal<ing and other important
and far-reaching powers, and laid down
a broad and strong code of railroad reg
ulations. which. with some subsequent
the purpose Of fortifying and strength
enfng 1t. Is the great railroad regula-
tive law of the state, and one of the
b, tan and most effectiye Of all state laws
the rate-making power both on COM
plant and on it's own initiative. have
not time to describe it in detail. 1 can
has proven one of the most helpful and
effective Of state railroad laws. Not
only Is this law one of the best but it
troll
In 1906, after extensive hearings and
Investigations, the commission ordered
chandise and commodity rates. Consid-
cradle objection was made to this on
the part Of the railways, and they ap-
lief. and the legislature. after passing
the two-cent-a-m1 passenger rate,
passed the act of April Is, 1907, reduc
Ing to some extent h the commodity rate
validity Of these legislative rates was
questioned and objected to on the part
Of the railroads on the ground, among
certain of their stockholders brought
suit in the federal courts to test the
validity Of the rates, and these suits are
merits in the lower federal court. The
master In chancery has made his report
but that has not yet been acted upon
by the court. The two-cent-a-mile pas
In and has not yet been assailed in the
courts. In order to aid them in fixing
and prescribing. rates the commission
physical valuation Of the properties of
the several railroads in the state. This
vast work of most complicated char
aeten beEan in 1885, and
mission has also, on its own motion, in
vestigated express rates and ordered a
reduction of 20 per cent on merchandise
justed and corrected Inequalities in 9TH
er rates. The commission believes that
the express rates are still too high and
are now engaged in a further general
investigation of most thorough and
comprehensive character. The commits
sion is not a dormant body but is con-
stantly at work investigating and ad-
justing a variety of complaints, and in
looking over the rates and classical
tions for the purpose of keeping the
railroads within fair and reasonable
bounds. and for the purpose Of prevent
ing all determinations and rebates, and
for the purpose of securing good and
adequate service.
Grain Inspection.
A system of grading, weighing, and
inspecting grain at terminal points was
established and inaugurated by the act
of March 5, 1885, and the duty Of super
vising the work was entailed upon the
Railroad and Warehouse Commission.
the boards of trade and chambers Of
commerce at the terminal points who
in fact, represented the buyers, had
done the grading, weighing, and in
specting Of grain. Much fault was
found, and many complaints We're made
against this system, hence the enact
ment Of the law which, on the whole
seems to have worked well and given
tolerable fair satisfaction. At all,
to- tno HfNN NrSN ~S Z,