The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1916-05-26
RAIL RATES
TO FOLLOW RULING
SWEEPING EFFECT OF STATE sU.
PREME COURTS DECISION
SEEN BY OFFICIAL.
STATE CAPITOL HAPPENINGS
Events OF General Interest In Mime
sofa Condensed and Revised for
The Greater Convenience
OF Busy Readers.


st. Paul.
According to Attorney General Smith
| the decision of the supreme court that
where a railroad company operates
two lines between the same points
shippers are entitled to have their
goods transported over the line having
the cheaper rate is more sweeping
than generally believed. He expects
that the railroads affected will carry
the controversy to the supreme court
| of the United States.
The decision of the state supreme
| court covered the two lines operated
by the Northern Pacific road between
Duluth and Hitterdal. One runs partly
through Wisconsin and the other en-
! tirely through Minnesota. The rates
on the first named line are the higher
because of the distance covered and
coal shipper who objected to the ex-
ira cost was responsible for the suit
being taken to the court.
If the findings of the Minnesota
court are upheld the two roads will be
compelled to make restitution of over
charges running into millions. In brief
the decision holds that railroad must
give a shipper the preference in lower
cost when two lines operated by the
company run between the points over
which the goods are transported.
X X X
Trail Nears Completion.
The longest direct gravel road in
Minnesota will be fully completed and
carrying heavy traffic by midsummer,
according to ]. H. Mullen, deputy state
highway engineer in charge of road
construction, who has returned from
an inspection of roads in Western Min.
nesota. This is the Yellowstone Park
trail from Mankato to the South Da-
kota line, $50 miles in length. 1t pas
ses through New Ulm, Sleepy Eye,
Tracy and Lake Benton.
The especial object of Mr. Mullen's
| trip, which required four days, and on
which he MADE from 12O to 100 miles
daily, was to discover how we'll the
highways have come through the win
ter, and whether or not they are be-
ing well maintained
"One Of the main aims of the COM
mission" he said, lis to see that pro-
per maintenance is provided after good
roads have been built. In some few
instances l have found that the proper
steps for maintenance were lacking"
Mr.. Mullen said he found the roads
held up better than usual during the
winter. The new gravel road through
Yellow Medicine county is in good
shape.
Applies to Candidate For Congress.
Attorney General Smith has ruled
that candidates for Congress must COM
ply with the state corrupt practices act
| the same as candidate for state Of
flee. The opinion was asked for by
Clarence Whiprud, secretary to State
Auditor Preus. who wanted to know if
candidates for Congress could open
headquarters and if in the issuance of
printed matter the author of such must
be printed on any circular issued. At
torney General Smith ruled in the af-
frmative in both cases.
X X X
It's Up to Prairie Chicken.
| 1t is up to Minnesota prairie chicken
to make good. Carlos Avery, state
game and fish commissioners, has invit-
ed DR.. George w. Field of Boston, nat
uralist and president of the National
Association of Cor servation Commits
sioners, to visit Mir nesota to hear the
drumming of prairie chicken. DR..
Field had indicated Chat he would like
to hear the drumming.
\ X X
Candidates For Legislature.
The majority of the members of the
1915 legislature seek to return and
some members of legislatures prior ia
the one of 1915 have laundering to
get back into the legislative halls.
X 4
Counties Want Highway.
Members of the State Highway Com
mission have been deluged with petit
lions from residents OF Stearns and
Todd counties to route the Jefferson
highway through their borders and
through Wadena, Hubbard and Bel
trami counties as well, by way Of St
Cloud and Sank Center.
X X X
May Hurt Bridge Work.
The big jump in the price Of steel
is likely to play an important role in
Minnesota road and bridge construction
this year, according to the fastest issue
of the Minnesota Highway Journal, Of
fetal publication of the state highway
commission.
To Adopt U. S. Standards.
Government standards probably will
be adopted in the future in measuring
timber cut on state lands following al
legations Of losses estimated at $12, 500
this year to the state through convert
ing factors and technical law viola
tions. Directed by the state timber
board to submit new schedules fol
converting cords and pieces into tim
Der feet, both the State Auditor and
State Forester said that recommends
lions in the government book o. uses
will be followed and agreed that there
is little question about adoption.
X X X
Snow Protects Grasses.
Protected by thick blanket, tame
grasses wintered unusually well il
Minnesota, according to crop prospec
reports received from all parts of tn.
state by F. d. Sherman, state immi
grafton commissioner. Seeding is fin
ished.