Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-08-29
COMMISSION REPORTS
STATE RAILROAD BOARD BE-
LIEVES IN POLICY TO FOSTER
IOWA INDUSTRIES.
ROADS SHOULD KEEP
LINES IN BETTER SHAPE
Expresses Belief That Demurrase
Rules Arc Good For Shippers and
to Additional Powers Needed by the
Board Made In Annual Report.
to Ttmes-Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Des Moines, Aug. 2s-The thirty
second annual report Of the Iowa Rail
way Commission was filed With the
governor today. The report is for the
year ended Dec. so last. Many sub
jects of popular interest are discussed.
The board states its position in re-
gard TO the adjustment of rates so as
to give advantage, SO far as possible. to
Iowa industries over those of other
states.
To Protect Iowa Industries.
The commission believes" so the
report states, that if the doctrine of
protecting home industries is good for
the nation it is good for the state.
Every manufacturing interest in Iowa
should be fostered and encouraged and
Iowa shippers should not be placed, in
any respect whatever, TO any disad
vantage as compared with a shipper
who lives outside the state. If this
principle be correct, and we believe it
is, this board should use its power and
it's influence in building up home in
dustries 10 the end that the raw ma
terial produced in Iowa should be man
ufactured at home thus giving en-
ployment 10 Iowa labor and invesrmen
for Iowa capital
Recommends Road Improvement.
The board suggests that If the rigid
ity OF the Iowa distance tariff could be
lessened TO some extent and ii was
given flexibiEty at the discretion of
the board, in many instances indus
tries could be fostered in this state
which would tend greatly to uphuild
without any injury whatever TO those
which already exist or 10 the people of
Iowa.
The board reconln ends that the rail-
road companies do more work along
the line of improving their road beds
CAT no time" says the board, in the
interest of economy or TO reduce ex-
'penditures in any given period Of time,
should a railway company permit any
of its rolling stock or motive power TO
remain out OF commission for lack Of
necessary repairs. Roadbeds, bridges,
superstructures and equipment should
at all times be kept in as near per-
feet condition as possible in order that
during unusual demand for cars Iowa
shippers should not be made 10 suffer
loss and damage because of failure Of
railway companies TO supply cars or
motive power"
Thinks Demurraee Rules Good.
The belief is expressed that the de-
nurrage rules which We're adopted al
the national convention of com mission
ers and which have been promul gated
in Iowa will be found OF benefit TO
shippers and the railroads. They are
given in full.
The commission makes some import
ant recommendation as TO needed leg
islation.
The commission would have power
by law 10 determine as TO drainage
questions aside from the big drainage
matters, as there has been much
trouble along this line.
The commission would like also 70
have the power 70 order under or
over crossings instead OF the iadeA-
mite law as to IAN adequate grade
crossing" The courts have defeated
the commission in It's attempts 70 en-
force its decisions under the present
law.
Location of Highways.
There Should also be some authority
lodged somewhere to compel the re-
location of highways in certain cases
The railroaJ companies have protested
that they could not possibly secure an
adequate crossing in certain cases
In regard 10 the long and Short haul
clause of the Iowa railway statute
some attempt has been made TO amend
1t so as to give It lexi5ilitv, but not
much has been accomplished. Tie
board should have authority 20 permit
the railroad companies 10 make GER
tain adjustments Of their rate 20 NEE.
conditions IN the state
a recommendation is made for law
to give authority over telegraph and
telephone companies as 70 rates ard
charges
Wants More Money
Statistics are given showing that the
Iowa railway commission has less Of
expense attached 70 Il than Amos.
any of the others. A recommendation
Is made for :arger appropriation, es-
pecially with 4 View u sec ring in
formation IS to rates, etc.
In references to rates in Iowa atten-
ton IS called - the cact .ha. for years
the board has been lowering -ates but
has mainly been concerned IN equa1lz-
ing them. Put here are mary other
questions to be considered and the
board recommends that provision he
made for investigation Of the physical
condition of the Iowa roads TO the erd
that Iowa shall stand pre-em oen- as
a state where the first consideration is
given safety of public travel and SUI
perior service in all departments of
ratlroading.