The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1922-05-04
Washburn, Wis, Oct. rs, 1921

Washburn, Wis, Oct. %, 1921.
His Excellency John j. Blaine,
Governor of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wis. ia "a
Dear Governor:
Some weeks ago the Northern Paci-
fic Railway Company made an ap-
plication to the Interstate Commerce
Commission for leave to abandon and
discontinue the operation of it's
branch of railway running from Iron
River to Washburn. l presume the
application is founded upon the claim
that the branch of road in question
is losing proposition financially.
The people of Bayfield, county par
ticularly, and the people of this part
of the state generally, are very much
interested in having this service
maintained. The present service
consists of three round trips week
between Iron River and Washburn.
It enables farmers and others living
in the territory tributary to get in
and out Of town in the winter months,
and to ship in and out their mer-
chandise.
This branch was the subject of the
controversy reported in lib Wis. p.
62O, State ex rel. Attorney General
VS.. Frost.
Bayfield, County issued it's Rail
way Aid Bonds to the amount OF
$2l5 100000 to help construct this
road and has paid all the bonds and
| interest except 500. 100000, which is
being maid az If falls due
1t is claimed, and with much rea-
son, that the Northern Pacific Rail
way Company itself has operated
this branch in such manner that
it could not produce sufficient rev.
enue to pay operating expenses. The
branch is about thirty-five miles
long, and there is not shed or roof
between the two terminals where
persons or goods can be sheltered.
At a meeting of the county board
of this county, held on the 18th in
slant, a resolution was adopted re-
questing me, as district attorney. to
take such proceedings as l deemed
necessary to prevent the making OF
the certificate of discontinuance by
the Interstate Commerce Commission
and also directing me to request the
attorney general to take part in the
proceedings on our side of the con-
troversy. / am today in receipt OF
a letter from the attorney generals
office stating that they would be
glad to take part in the matter, but
that the attorney general has no
authority to appear in any court or
before any body or office in behalf
of the state, except by direction OF
the governor or either branch of
the legislature, a conclusion, / sup
pose. founded upon recent decision
of the supreme court.
In view of the great Importance OF
this matter to the people of this COM
munity, l request your excellency to
direct the attorney general to join
us in opposing this application.
In the resolution of the county
board of this county, l was author.
lied to employ such counsel as
deemed necessary to protect the in
terests of the people here. l have
engaged the assistance of Mr.. Will
liam F. Shea, of Ashltnd, and with
the cooperation of the attorney gen.
erals office, perhaps we will be able
to make a case that will persuade
the Interstate Commerce Commits Ion
that the line in question ought not
be discontinued.
Yours truly,
G. F. MORRIS.
CFM:MA
Washhurn, Wis, Nov. 9, 1921
Hon. John J. Blaine,
Governor of Wisconsin,
Madison, Wis.
Dear Governor:
Under date of the 18th of October
wrote you a letter, requesting you
to direct the attorney general to
take part in opposing the applica-
ton of Northern Pacific Railway
Company to the Interstate Commits
sion for a certificate of convenience
and necessity for disseminating opera
ton of the branch between Iron River
and this city.
have no answer to my letter, and
presume that either it went astray,
or you have not had time to decide
what should be done in the matter.
The appearance of the attorney
general On behalf of the state would,
in addition to the actual work and
counsel he might give us, lend some
prestige to our position.
Thanking you in advance for your
view of this matter at your earliest
convenience, | am
Respectfully yours,
C. F. NORRIS.