Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1914-01-22
LOSE
DAKOTA CONTEST
Coyote State Wins Memoc-
able Battle-Court Orders
Two and One-HaIf
Cent Fare.
--~--,--

Sioux Fails. s. d.. Jan 22 by de-
eisiol filed in the federal court here to-
day by Judge Willard, South Dakota
wins its seven-year aght for reduced
passenger rates and pa cent fares will
20 into effect on the railroads of the
state
The decision marks the end OF one
of the most stubborn fights which any
state has undertaken for the lowering
OF passenger rates. The Legislature OF
1907 passed q law empowering the rail
passenger rate of 21a cents per mile
IN the state The railroads enjoined
The commissioners and the great .e:,a.
battle began. Subsequently the lagis-
iature passed law ordering in IA =
cent rate in retaliation on the railroads
for enjoining the commissioners, and
the validity of this law was joined in
issue with TIE other case Judge Will
elrds decision holds that the a-cent
rate would be confiscatary but that the
business of the railroads Is such in
South Dakota az to earn a fai, protit on
passenger rate OF " cents per mile
Physical Valuation.
The state has been put To sr-at cx-
Iense in conducting this ea.:e through
several years. II was arst necessar r1
to make physical valuation of the
railroad properties in the state, which
was completed in 1903 at cost of less
! thar $s.Dae per mile.
With this Valuation completed ti,r
state was ready to proceed with it.
care. i. Howard Gates, OF ssious Falls
Was appointed by the court rnaste, II
leAaneery tn take evidence in TIE case
and hearings before him We're com
| llated and his report tiicd in lail. His
report showed that the state was en
titled to Il 2tt cen. rate
1 In the meantime 1, decision had bces
rendered By Federal Judge S,nnborn il
! tho United States Circuit court in thu
| Minnesota rate case 10 the effect th4
:.ll state regulation Of rates on inter
state lines was Illegal ~ interfering
with Interstate traffic. This directl,
affected tire South Dakota cases which
We're therefore delayed pending a de
eision fron the United States supreme
I couT, ON the Minnesota c"ses. This
decision was handed down in June 1913
and uphea the rate making power o.
| the states in al cases whore cong ress
had not Specifically taken tn. n2attri
/ IN it's nwn hands by legislation.
End OF Long Fight.
! The way va. now clear foi ppahins
| the South Dakota rate cases To s. con.
ciuaion and the decision i.isf rsider'e
J, marks the end of the fight and Ia J
! complete victory for the state.
! The rate casee have pla ycd 2
| prominent part in politics in Soptf
/ Dakota During the term of ['oe I
Crawford as governor the original re
Guced rate bills were passed and the
J fight with the railroads begun CRAY
ford WIS e'scted United S,atee senator
being st.cn gthene,I with the people b>
the attitude OF his administration to-
ward reduced passenger rates.
/ The heavy cost os taking the ph%sica
w luat!on OF tbs. railrna d. and the large
Iexpenses of the railroad corn.nissioi-
crs n hiring expert counsel ant
| prosecuting the cases. added 10 the eX-
/, penses Of the state and IL. matter o!
/ state expenses became ar issuc in aev-
| el-al campaigns. J. Howard Gntes yvor
the confidence OF The people by &c
Gliding IN tisir favor as master il
h. ncery and in 1912 he was cleo &c
to the supreme bench OF tho state.
Political Significance.
! J'he prolonged litigation and the dc
/ lay In a decision was charged ag3;i,a
Ia. progreesive state adnainistra tor
which vas able TO show il was pusaina
tho matter as ia pidIy. az the necessities
~ The case and the opposition Of thc
] railroads would permit.
| the final victory coming at thie time
via add rrcatly TO the strength OF ihf
/ progressive republican faction in tho
lap preaching primaries as 1t Was dis
! tinctls- Their fight and won aga.as'
great odds.
i F.esides Senator Crawford and Coy
ernor nArnc, great credit for the fna
victory is dila 10 Gcor:se Rice. q ineri-
! ie,. Of the &tatc railroad commission