The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-10-20

county and judicial district bitches.
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 overlooked 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,
it is evident that the drainage and rec
lamation of these lands is a 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
hOme-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,
and as a consequence the marketing
grading, and inspection Of wheat and
other grains and cereals is matter of
the utmost Importance to all her people.
tion was the act Of March 4, 1871, pro
viding for the appointment of a single
railway commissioner, but giving him
only the power to investigate and re-
railroads: The same legislature also
passed the act of March 6, 1871, pre-
scribing statutory rates for freight and
for enforcing. it's mandate. These acts
were superseded by the act of March 6,
1874, providing for the appointment by
road commissioners, to hold office for
the term Of two years. The board was
given power, on it's own initiative, to
The act prohibited unjust discrimina-
tons, and had rather crude long and
short haul clause. 1t also provided for
so that cars could be readily transferred
from one line to another; it also provid-
ed for track connections with elevators
right of way. The act also prescribed
the method and procedure to be pur-
sued for it's enforcement The act of
for the election of a single railroad
commissioner and simply gave him the
to and report 9la
of the roads and their management, etc.
The act further. in rather vague terms,
prohibited discriminations and also
of 1875 was repealed and superseded by
the act of March s, 1885, providing for
the appointment by the governor of a
Railroad and Warehouse Commission
consisting of three members, with pow
er to investigate and report on various
matters. but without the rate-making
power. The act laid down some general
rules about determinations and rates,
but otherwise was not much of a rate
regulator. This last act was again
March I, 1887. which Continued the
Railroad and Warehouse Commission of
three members. but equipped it with
and far-reachins powers. and laid down
broad and strong code of railroad reg
ulations. which. with some subsequent
the purpose Of fortifying and strength
ening it. is the great railroad regula-
tive law of the state, and one of the
best and most effective of all state laws
the rate-making power both on COM
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
matter of railroad regulation and con-
troll.
In 1906, after extensive hearings and
Investigations, the commission ordered
a considerable general reduction in mer
chandise and commodity rates. Consid-
cradle objection was made to this on
pe pea to the iegisiature of 1907 for re- re-
lief. and the legislature. after passing
the wo-cent-a-mile passenger rate,
the act Of AP 6 49, 1891 redgf
previously fixed by the commission. The
validity Of these legislative rates was
questioned and objected to on the part
of the railroads on the ground among
others, that. they were confiscatory, and
certain Of their stockholders brought
suit in the federal courts to test the
validity of the rates, and these suits are
still pending and undisposed of on their
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
senger rate has SO far been acquiesced
in and has not yet been assailed in the
courts. In order to aid them in fixing
and prescribing. rates the commission
has caused to be made by experts a
physical valuation of the properties of
the several railroads in the state. This
vast work of most complicated char
acter was begun in January, 1905, and
completed in December, 1908. The COM
mission has also, on it's own motion, in
vestigated express rates and ordered a
and produce rates and otherwise read
justed and corrected inequalities in 9TH
er rates. The commission believes that
the express rates are still too high and
are now engaged in further general
investigation of a most thorough and
comprehensive character. The commits
sion is not a dormant body but is con-
stantly at work investigating and adj
justing a variety of complaints, and in
looking over the rates and classical
lions 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.
Prior to that time representatives of
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
speeding of grain. Much fault was
found, and many complaints were made
| ment of the law which, on the whole.
seems to have worked well and given
tolerable fair satisfaction. At all
events, it has been considered by the
sellers and shippers of grain, far super
ior to the old system. The inspection
and weighing department are under
the direct supervision of a chief inspec-
tor of grains who is appointed by the
Railroad and Warehouse Commission. A
60 s0 abb Co. @s<-l-s