Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-05-18

buying Of coal would be more accepta-
BILE if the prices were right. Operators
have boosted the price although the
government experts say there is no &C.
cAsion for the strong advance.
The Jefferson Highway tourists were
1lven fine greeting during their stay
in the city Wednesday enroute from
Winnipeg to New Orleans. Short ad-
dresses were made by Premier Norris
Of Manitoba and Mayor Davidson VI
Winnipeg. They brought kindly
greetings from our neighbor to- tho
north, and spoke Of the great good the
highway would do in cementing the
friendship and business interests of
the two countries as we'll as the states
that the highway traversed. Mention
was also made by Premier Norris OF
the closer relationship that now exist.
ed and which would be augmented
due to events Of the great world war,
and in so doing paid splendid tribute
to this country and her people.
Bills brought before the legisla ture
the last few sessions under the "ef-
f1ciency and economy" idea; have met
with very limited success. Governor
Burnquist, who has favored a number
Of these measures finds that he has suf'
flcient power to put into operation
number of the: proposals, especially in
the consolidation of Offices. Most OF
the changes are to 60 into effect August
l of this year, the beginning OF the
fiscal year. "a.
According to the governors plan the
L. ho
ervision of the dairy and food commits
sioner, as will also the hotel inspection.
Hotel inspection will then be made by
the local oil inspector, which work has
been conducted in this manner to some
extent the past two years.
The fire marshal's office will be abol-
ished and the work taken over by the
insurance department, the latter de-
partment to also have charge of boiler
inspection.
The surveyors general of logs will be
appointed from the forestry department
and under its supervision; scalers are
also to be appointed from this depart
ment.
The governor states that it is esti-
mated that savings in salaries, clerk
hire and travelling expenses by these
changes will aggregate $4,000, ex-
elusive of the saving of space and sup
plies for the next two-year period, and
the indirect saving as many times more.
The governor finishes his statement
by saying that the proposed reorganiza-
tion is not intended to be contrary to
the wishes of the legislature or in con-
flict with the law, but to be of assist
ance in determining future legislation
along these lines, and to eliminate as
much as possible opposition to such
legislation by those whose positions are
affected.
Railroads in Minnesota, following a
general petition by railroads, to the In
terstate Commerce commission, have
asked the Minnesota Railroad and
Warehouse commission to grant them
a raise in freight rates Of Is per cent
The proposed increases are estimated
to reach $13,5CO,000 in Minnesota.
Examples given by the commission
experts show that under the proposed
increase:
Freight on a 70,00O-nound car of
wheat hauled $50 miles will increase
1910, or at the rate of 1.3 cents a
hundred-weight.
Freight on a 22,oo0-pound car of cat
tie hauled $50 miles will increase 1892,
or at the rate Of 81 cents a hundred
weight.
Freight on first-class merchandise, in
cluding clothing and dry goods, from
st. Paul to Moorhead will advance 81
cents a hundred weight.
The main reasons given by the rail-
roads in asking for the increase seems
due to the Adamson bill and war de-
mands. It will be remembered that a
few days prior to the decision of the
United States supreme court holding
the Adamson law valid the railroads
from "patrlotic standpoint agreed
to the provisions of the law. AS long
as the railroads are allowed to be pri-
waite property, the companies should
receive reasonable rate, but not
particularly based on the cost Of do
ing business IN any one year, as the
present abnormal year, for instance,
wherein especially all the smaller lines
Of trade have suffered from increased
costs and less profits and in many cases
losses. Neither do we believe that it
should be figured on returns on stock,
that may have been issued to stockhold-
ers in cutting 'melons.'' The rail-
roads may be right in asking for the
advance in freight rates, but they
should show most conclusively that
they are entitled to it. Hearings will
be held by the commission commence
ing June IS. The railroads want the
new rates effective July /.