The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-06-20

Dear sir:-1 have your letter of
June fourteenth enclosing a clip
ping from the Grand Forks "Her-
aid" headed Mileage Books VS..
The People" had not seen the
article before, because l have been
in Saint Paul very little of the
time since May first; a long trip
to the Pacific coast and back, and
another to New York having kept
me from Office.
On May tenth, letter was re-
ceived from Mr.. Devine and his
associates, copy of which l en-
close. Careful examination was
made by my Office of what the
company had done along the line
suggested by Mr.. Devine, and on
May twenty-fifth, letter was sent
to Mr.. Hall, the secretary, copy
of which is also enclosed.
At the beginning of the year
1910, this company issued compli-
mentary transportation to a num-
ber of persons in North Dakota,
but not for, the purpose of in
fluencing politicians one way or
the other. believe 1t is better
not to issue such transportation,
but, in all states where there is
not an anti-pass law, it has been
customary, and still is customary,
for the railroads to join with the
state along certain lines of devel-
opment. We. have issued passes
and free mileage to the following
classes Of people in North Da-
kota: To Estate officers, federal
officers, members of legislatures
all classes whether stalwarts,
progressiyas or Democrats; to
shsriffs .an$ .sodnty officers, mem
e-bers Of Horticultural Il colleges,
members OF farmers Institutes,
travelling ministers : of various
denominations, and to editors of
a good many newspapers In many
cases, we have had most earnest
requests from the people in ques-
ton, that we do issue transporta-
tion., All classes of these men
are, like the railroad, engaged in
different directions in work tend
ing to protect and develop the
state Of North Dakota, and that is
the only reason why. the railroad
has given free transportation,
either in the shape of passes or
mileage.
On receipt Of your letter, 1 took
the trouble to examine personally,
our entire record, and find we
have not issued passes or mileage
to stalwarts or progressives dur
ing 1910. or 1909. In fact, the
national committeeman, Mr.. Ken
nedy, wrote letter in the au-
tumn Of 1908 saying he did not
desire any transportation issued
in any form. and none has been
issued since then for political
purposes. -
On the general question of free
transportation, quote from a let
ter wrote to Governor Burke on
January seventeeth, 1910:
Il note what you say about
anti-pass legislation, and I agree
with you in the main. think,
on the whole, the country and the
railroads will be better off in the
long run II passes are eliminated.
There is, however, one feature in
your state that is of Importance,
and that is the question ofsagri-
cultural development through the
work done by the state university.
and the farmers institute. We
are more than glad to furnish
transportation free to officers of
the state university, and to lee
turers and others interested in
this farm institute work, SO that
the agricultural output of the
state can be improved and in
creased. We are also glad, at
times. to make special rates for
farmers for some large gathering
where this subject is discussed.
II an anti-pass law was passed
that prevented the railroads alb
solutely from doing this sort Of
thing. it would not stop this de-
sirable work, but 1t might have
the tendency to check 1t and
make 1t more difficult for the rail-
road to handle its part. We
could, however. arrange these
features. and probably the benefit
to the state as a whole, by the
elimination Of passes would Off
set any difficulty in handling the
special feature that I mention"
Our company and its officers
have tried to keep OUT Of politics,
only appearing. as we have a right
to do, before the legislature to
give reasons for or against pro-
posed laws. and appearing before
the state board Of equalization.
as we must, to explain all parts
Of our property so that the taxing
board may have full information.
Speaking for myself. and for
my company, I should be very
glad II the legislature Of North