The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-02-15
lristianson, chief justice.
Costina State Millions.

OVOsVB oSOS0 VvVuVOU8s o
"While we have compiled no defin-
ite figures on the subject, think 1t
safe to say that the increased freight
and passenger rates inaugurated by
the director general OF railways In
June, 1918. are costing the state mil.
lions of dollars" said Tax Commission
Or F.. y. Packard, of counsel. for the
state. "
I'VE contend that the director gem
eral has no authority to inaugurate
any change In intrastate freight or
passenger rates without first filing +
complete schedule Of such proposed
rates with the state railway commis-
sion and procuring the, approval, Of
that body. as required by the laws OF
North Dakota. 2s5.s +. IS Ran
increases In freight rates ranging
from Is per cent up and In passenger
rates from IL to three cents, were
made effective on intrastate business
by order of the director general OF
railways In June, 1918, and these rites
are still in effect Neither thU rider
Of Aug. 20, 1916. authorizing the gov
,ernment. to assume control Of the rail
ways nor the later act of March, 81,
1918, conferred upon the director gem
eral any authority to interfere with in-'
trastate rates, except by and with the
authority of the state railway commits.
sion. ,...
While the order is directed prim-
arily against the Northern Pacific rail-
way, six other lines. the Great North
ern. 500 line, Chicago & Northwestern.
Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul, Mid
land Continental and Devils Lake C
Brandon. known as the Farmers line,
will be affected
Dupuis Makes Affidavit.
Railway Commissioner Dupuis in an
affidavit which is made part Of the
states petition recites that freight
rates amounting to an increase of
more than rs per cent and passenger
fares and baggage charges greatly In
advance of those, previously prevail
ing were placed in effect in North
Dakota on June 10, 1918, and June Is,
1918, respectively, and that said rates
and charges were put into full force
and effect on said date !, without
schedule of rates, fares and charges
being filed with the board OF railroad
commissioners of the state Of North
Dakota; that at the time said sched-
ule OF fares, etc., was put into effect
by order of said director general Of
railroads, that all of the railroad sys.
TENS operating in said state had filed
such schedules Of fares, charges and
rates, and that such schedules were in
full force and effect on June 10 and
June Is, respectively, 1918. and have
remained on file in said offices con-
tinuously since said date; that said
order of William G. McAdoo of May 25.
1918, which put into full force and eff
feet in the state of North Dakota the
schedule of rates, charges and fares
therein contained, was unauthorized by
and contrary to the acts of congress
of August 26, 1916, and March Il,
1918 that none of said fares, charges
or rates prescribed in said order af-
fected the transportation Of troops.
war materials or supplies by the gov
ernment of the United States; nor did
they affect the issue of stocks and
bonds by defendant railroad COM
pany. and in no way affected the gov
ernment of the United states in the
prosecution Of the present war;
Unreasonable and Excessive.
THAT all of the said charges, fares
and rates contained in said order are
unreasonable and excessive, and do
not serve any useful purpose. On tho
contrary, they inflict great hardship
on the people Of the state Of North
Dakota. in that they tend to lessen
the use Of lines of railroad Of said
company, thereby lessening the reve-
nue. Of said company to such m ex.
tent as to injure its financial condi-
ton, to the great detri0eut Of said
company and each and all of the stock.
holders, and by decreasing the amount
OF travel and the number oe Shipments
and the ordinary now Of business n
the state Of North Dakota and l1 the
territory contiguous to its lines Of
railroads, tends to hamper and d.
crease the general productive en-
cheney Of the people Of tAo State q
North Dakota;
& "That the question raisA hy H.
petition Aseein inyetyes ~ Ieefuear