The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-10-24

Sioux Falls, S. D.-That railroad
interests favor e. S. Johnson, demo-
cratic candidate for governor because
the democrat is in sympathy with
their interests and that the railroads
oppose Frank NJ. Byrne, republican
candidate, because his record of rail-
road legislation is "irritating" to
them, was positively stated by eX-Sen
ator R. #. Pettigrew to The Press
yesterday. Mr.. Pettigrew says that
railroad officials have approached
him and asked him to support John
son.
Mr.. Pettigrew was asked yesterday
if he has seen Ex-Governor Lees
statement in The Press last Friday
declaring that the railroad interests
were behind the johnson candidacy.
He replied that he has seen the state
ment made by Govern Lee, and that
be knew of his own knowledge that
the statement thus made was true.
johnson sought the support of
the railroads in the primary contest,
said Mr.. Pettigrew, "and was earnest
ly supported by the officers and em-
ployees of the Northwestern road
throughout this state ! talked with
road, who told me they were assist
ing Johnson in the primary contest
because they believed that ne was
the safest man in the field.
Explains Combination.
f"The Chicago. Milwaukee & St
/ Paul railroad supported Egan in the
primary contest. So that one of the
great railroads supported the demo-
I 1 L. 1H1. 1.n.,,
candidate. But Immediately after
Egan failed to secure the republican
nomination and Mr.. Johnson secured
the democratic nomination, both the
| North western and Milwaukee roads
united in the support of Mr.. Johnson
i for governor. And, strange to re-
/ late, Egan also has joined with the
two railroads in his active support of
johnson.
Now what the combination is the
people of this state ought easily to
understand Mr.. Johnson is safe, the
railroads Will secure the legislation
that they desire. Johnson is safe. He
will assist in keeping down the taxes
on railroad property. | make this
statement with the full knowledge OF
the facts in the case. Prominent Of
ficialS of these roads have more than
once urged me to support johnson
and gave as reason that he was
friendly to the roads.
Byrne Irritates Railroads.
"And when j asked them what was
the matter with Mr.. Byrne the re-
publican candidate for governor they
said he introduced and helped to pass
laws which We're irritating to the rail-
roads.
This lead me to look up Mr. Byrne's
record, and l found that Mr.. Byrne as
a member of the legislature had in
troduced the anti-pass law, which is
so effective that it has stopped the
practice of corrupting the voters oi
this state with free transportation
He introduced and secured the pas
sage of the two-cent passenger fare
law | believe this law is still in
force, but the courts refuse to enforce
it.
Byrne's Legislation.
Mr. Byrne also introduced and Sc.
cured the passage of the demurragt
law requiring railroads to pay dam
age for delay in securing cars te
shippers. This was important 1egisla
tion, as before this law passed the
railroads could furnish cars to fay
ored shippers but refused to furnish
; them to shippers who did not 90 wha
the railroads wanted done, WI ch wal
a very damaging method OF discrim
nation. But above all Mr.. Byrne in
I. I IL