Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-10-14
CONTROLS RATE AND SERVICE
Railroad and Warehouse Commission
Prevents Determinations by Rail-
ways and Telephone Companies.
BY Charles e. EImquist, Railroad and
Warehouse commi ssioner.

Warehouse Commissioner.
One of the important branches of
our state government Is the Railroad
and Warehouse Commission. This de-
nartment has been in existence since
1872, and consists of three members
who are elected for a term of six
years. Originally its jurisdiction was
confined to the supervision of COM
mon carriers, but succeeding legisla-
lures have increased it's duties. At
the present time its activities extend
to the control over the rates and SER
vice of railroad and express COM
panies, telephone companies and stor-
age warehouses. Broadly speaking,
no corporation can change a rate, rule
or regulation without the consent of
the Commission, and the Commission
can after investigation make and re-
quire the publication of reasonable
rates.
Prescribes Lower Rates.
The Commission prescribed class
and commodity rates in 1906 represent
ing an average decrease Of 162s per
cent in the former and 10 per cent In
the latter. These were litigated and
sustained in the Minnesota Rate
Cases, as a result Of which the people
enjoy lower rates and the shippers
have been paid refunds amounting to
about $2,750, 100000 up to the present
time.
In 1913 the Commission made and
published distance tariff freight rates
for all classes and commodities NOV
ing within the state and they are now
being used by all of the railroads ex
cept the Chicago Great Western and
the Minneapolis & St. Louis.
Regulates Telephone Service.
Many questions arise affecting sta
tons, agents, spur tracks and the ser
vice given by freight and passenger
trains. The control over telephone
companies was effective on July Isl
| and over storage warehouses on Octo
Der list The law Is very broad and
gives the Commission ample power te
regulate service, prevent discrimina
tons and enforce reasonable charges
Some of the large telephone companies
| raised their toll rates before the Law
| went into effect, and this placed the
burden upon the Commission OF deter
| mining a reasonable rate after an in
| vestigation and hearing. In respect te
telephone ard storage companies the
work of the Commission is necessarily
In q formative state, bat there is nc
| question but what the regulation will
be beneficial to the public and corpora
| tions.
Controls Weights and Measures.
All scales. weights and measures
used commercially in the state, in
Guiding track scales and the scales
upon which grain is weighed, are un
der the control of the Commission
Skilled men travel over the state test
| ing platform and smaller scales ana
| weighing devices; railroad track
| scales are examined by experts who
| travel. with 100000 pound test cars
| and sufficient heavy weights. Grair
| scales in the terminals are constant
| ly supervised to insure their accuracy
The Commission through it's grain in
| spection department grades and
| weighs all grain that enters or leaves
| the terminals and also gives the same
| service at many mills and elevators
at interior points. The employees are
| obliged to get fair, average samples oil
grain from the car and the inspectors
| pass judgment upon the sample with
out knowing the ownership thereof
The grain is weighed by men who are
under a 100000 bond to the state
| and who are under close supervision
Information concerning the loss OF
grain In transit 10 furnished shippers
| This service is of utmost Importance
| to the producers and dealers because
| 1t insures fair and impartial grades
| and weights. Practically the same
1 service is given to hay and straw
| which reaches the terminals. AL
commission merchants who deal II
| grain and agricultural products are II
censed by the state and the Railroad
and Warehouse Commission is per
mitted by law to Investigate any com
plants that may be filed by interested
parties and to make such decision al
justice and equity require.