for passengers or property between points in this state except to its officers, employes, agents, pensioners, surgeons, physicians, attorneys at law and their families and others specified in the act.

FALSE BILLING.

No common carrier or any officer or agent thereof or any person acting for or employed by it shall assist, suffer or permit any person or corporation to obtain transportation for any passenger, freight or property between points within this state at less than the rates then established and in force in accordance with the schedules filed and published in accordance with the provisions of this act, by means of false billing, false classification, false weight or weighing or false report of weight, or by any other device or means.

INTERCHANGE OF TRAFFIC.

Every common carrier is required to afford reasonable and equal facilities for the, interchange of passenger, freight and property traffic between its lines and the lines of every other common carrier. Every common carrier, as such, is required to receive from every other common carrier at a connecting point freight cars of a proper standard and haul the same through to destination or to the connecting point of the line on which the place of destination is located.

LONG AND SHORT HAUL.

No common carrier subject to the provisions of this act shall charge or receive any greater compensation in the aggregate for the transportation of passengers or of a like kind of property under substantially similar circumstances and conditions for a shorter than for a longer distance over the same line in the same direction, the shorter being included within the longer distance; but this shall not be construed as authorizing any such common carrier to charge and receive as great a compensation for a shorter as for a longer distance or haul. Upon application of a common carrier the commission may by order authorize it to charge less for longer than for shorter distances for the transportation of passengers or property in special cases after investigation by the commission.

DISTRIBUTION OF CARS.

Every railroad corporation or other common carrier engaged in the transportation of freight shall, upon reasonable notice, furnish to all persons and corporations who may apply therefor and offer freight for transportation, sufficient and suitable cars for the_transportation of such freight in carload lots. Every railroad corporation and streetrailroad corporation shall have sufficient cars and motive power to meet all requirements for the transportation of passengers and property which may reasonably be anticipated, unless relieved therefrom by order of the commission. In case at any particular time a common carrier has not sufficient cars to meet all requirements for the transportation of property in carload lots, all cars available to it for such purposes shall be distributed among the several applicants therefor without discrimination between shippers, localities or competitive or noncompetitive points, but preference may always be given in the supply of cars for shipment of live stock or perishable property.

The commission shall have power to make, and by order shall make, reasonable regulations for the furnishing and distribution of freight cars to shippers, for the switching of the same, for the loading and unloading thereof, for demurrage charges in respect thereto and for the weighing of cars and freight offered for shipment or transported by any common carrier.

LIABILITY OF CARRIERS.

In case a common carrier shall do any act or thing prohibited or declared to be unlawful, or shall omit to do any act or thing required to be done, either by any law of the state of New York, by this act or by an order of the commission, such common carrier shall be liable to the persons or corporations affected thereby for all loss, damage or injury caused thereby and in case of recovery, if the court shall find that such act or omission was willful, it may in its discretion fix

a reasonable counsel or attorney's fee, which fee shall be collected as part of the costs in the case. ARTICLE III.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSIONS. Each commission and commissioner shall have the power to administer oaths to witnesses summoned to testify in any investigation by the commission or commissioner.

Each commission shall have the general supervision of all common carriers, railroads, street railroads, railroad corporations and street railroad corporations within its jurisdiction and shall have power to and shall examine the same and keep informed as to their general condition, their capitalization. their franchises and the manner in which their lines, owned, leased controlled or operated, are managed, conducted and operated, not only with respect to the adequacy, security and accommodation afforded by their service, but also with respect to their compliance with all provisions of law, orders of the commission and charter requirements.

Each commission and each commissioner shall have power to examine all books, contracts, records, documents and papers of any person or corporation subject to its supervision and by subpœna duces tecum to compel production thereof.

Each commission shall prescribe the form of the annual reports required under this act to be made by common carriers, railroad and street-railroad corporations and may from time to time make such changes therein and additions thereto as it may deem proper. Corporations failing to make the reports required shall forfeit to the state the sum of $100 for each day they shall continue in default with respect to such report.

INVESTIGATION OF ACCIDENTS.

Each commission shall investigate the cause of all accidents on any railroad or street railroad within its district which result in loss of life or injury to persons and property and which in its judgment shall require investigation. Every common carrier, railroad and street-railroad corporation is required to give immediate notice to the commission of every accident happening upon its line.

INVESTIGATIONS BY COMMISSION.

Each commission may of its own motion investigate or make inquiry in a manner to be determined by it as to any act or thing done or omitted to be done by any common carrier, railroad corporation or street-railroad corporation subject to its supervision, and the commission must make such inquiry.

Complaints may be made to the proper commission by any person or corporation aggrieved, by petition or complaint in writing, setting forth any thing or act done or omitted to be done by any common carrier, railroad corporation or streetrailroad corporation in violation of any provision of law or of the terms and conditions of its franchise or charter or of any order of the commission. Upon the presentation of such a complaint the commission shall cause a copy thereof to be forwarded to the person or corporation complained of, accompanied by an order requiring that the matters complained of be satisfied or that the charges be answered. If the person or corporation complained of shall make reparation and shall cease to commit or to permit the violation of law charged in the complaint, the commission need take no further action upon the charges. If, however, the charges be not thus satisfied and it shall appear to the commission that there are reasonable grounds therefor it shall investigate such charges.

RATES MAY BE FIXED BY COMMISSION. Whenever either commission shall be of opinion that the rates, fares or charges demanded or collected by any common carrier, railroad or streetrailroad corporation are unjust and unreasonable, discriminatory or preferential or in violation of the law, the commission shall determine the just and reasonable rates, fares and charges to be thereafter observed and in force as the maximum *

charged for the service to be performed and shall fix the same by order. And if the commission shall be of opinion that the regulations, practices, equipment, appliances or service of any such corporation are unjust, unreasonable, unsafe, improper or inadequate, the commission shall determine and fix the just, reasonable, safe, adequate and proper regulations, practices, equipment, appliances and service thereafter to be observed and used in the transportation of persons and freight.

The commissions shall also have the power to order changes and repairs in tracks, switches. terminals, motive power or any other property used in connection with the transportation of persons or property and to order changes in time schedules and the running of additional cars and trains whenever these changes are, in the judgment of the commissioners, reasonably necessary for accommodation or safety in the transportation of passengers or property.

UNIFORM SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS.

Each commission may, whenever it deems advisable, establish a uniform system of accounts to be used by railroad and street-railroad corporations or other common carriers subject to its supervision and may prescribe the manner in which such accounts shall be kept. It may also, in its discretion, prescribe the forms of accounts, records and memoranda to be kept by such corporations, including the accounts, records and memoranda of the movement of traffic as well as the receipts and expenditures of moneys.

FRANCHISES AND PRIVILEGES.

Franchises for the construction of new railroads or street railroads must be obtained from the commission before work can begin.

No franchise nor any right to or under any franchise to own or operate a railroad or street railroad shall be assigned, transferred or leased. nor shall any contract or agreement with reference to or affecting any such franchise or right be valid or of any force or effect whatsoever unless the assignment, transfer, lease, contract or agreement shall have been approved by the proper commission.

No railroad or street-railroad corporation, domestic or foreign, shall hereafter purchase or acquire any part of the capital stock of any railroad corporation or street-railroad corporation or other common carrier unless authorized SO to do by the commission having jurisdiction; and save where stock shall be transferred or held for the purpose of collateral security only with the consent of the commission empowered by this act to give such consent, no stock corporation of any description, domestic or foreign, other than a railroad corporation or streetrailroad corporation, shall purchase or acquire more than 10 per cent of the total capital stock issued by any railroad or street-railroad corporation or other common carrier.

APPROVAL OF STOCK AND BOND ISSUES. A common carrier, railroad or street-railroad corporation may issue stocks, bonds, notes or other evidences of indebtedness payable at periods of more than twelve months after the date thereof, when necessary for the acquisition of property, the construction, completion, extension or improvement of its facilities or for the maintenance or improvement of its service or for the discharge or refunding of its obligations, provided there shall have been secured from the proper commission an order authorizing such issue and the amount thereof and stating that in the opinion of the commission the use of the capital to be secured by such issue is reasonably required for the said purposes of the corporation.

The capital stock of a corporation formed by the merger of two or more other corporations shall not exceed the sum of the capital stock of the corporations SO consolidated, at the par value thereof, or such sum and any additional sum actually paid in cash; nor shall any contract for consolidation or lease be capitalized in the stock of any corporation whatever; nor shall any corporation hereafter issue any bond against or as a lien upon any contract for consolidation or merger.

FORFEITURE AND PENALTIES.

Every common carrier, railroad corporation and street-railroad corporation and all officers and agents of such corporations shall obey every order made by the commission so long as the same shall be and remain in force. Any common carrier, railroad corporation or street-railroad corporation which shall violate any provision of this act or which fails, omits or neglects to obey, observe or comply with any order or any direction or requirement of the commission shall forfeit to the people of the state of New York not to exceed the sum of $5,000 for each and every offense; every violation of any such order or direction or requirement, or of this act, shall be a separate and distinct offense and, in case of a continuing violation, every day's continuance thereof shall be and be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.

Every officer and agent of any such common carrier or corporation who shall violate or aid in violating any provision of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

Any corporation, other than a common carrier, railroad corporation or street-railroad corporation, which shall violate any provision of this act, or shall fail to obey, observe and comply with every order made by the commission shall forfeit to the people of the state of New York a sum not exceeding $1,000 for each and every offense; every such violation shall be a separate and distinct offense.

Every person who, either individually or acting as an officer or agent of a corporation other than a common carrier, railroad corporation or streetrailroad corporation, shall violate any provision of this act or fail to obey, observe or comply with any order made by the commission under this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

In construing and enforcing the provisions of this act relating to forfeitures and penalties the act of any director, officer or other person acting for or employed by any common carrier, railroad corporation, street-railroad corporation or corporation acting within the scope of his official duties or employment shall be in every case deemed to be the act of such common carrier, railroad corporation, street-railroad corporation or corporation.

INTERSTATE TRAFFIC.

Either commission may investigate freight rates on interstate traffic on railroads within the state and when in the opinion of either commission such rates are excessive or discriminatory or in violation of the interstate-commerce law, the commission may apply by petition to the interstate-commerce commission for relief.

ARTICLE IV.

APPLICATION OF ARTICLE.

This article shall apply to the manufacture and furnishing of gas for light, heat or power and the furnishing of natural gas for light, heat or power and the generation, furnishing and transmission of electricity for light, heat or power.

GENERAL POWERS OF COMMISSIONS.

Each commission shall within its jurisdiction-1. Have the general supervision of all persons and corporations having authority under any general or special law or under any charter or franchise to lay down, erect or maintain wires, pipes, conduits, ducts or other fixtures in, over or under the streets, highways and public places of any municipality, for the purpose of furnishing or distributing gas or of furnishing or transmitting electricity for light, heat or power, or maintaining underground conduits or ducts for electrical conductors.

2. Investigate and ascertain from time to time the quality of gas supplied by persons, corporations and municipalities; examine the methods employed by such persons, corporations and municipalities in manufacturing and supplying gas or electricity for light, heat or power and in transmitting the same and have power to order such improvements as will best promote the public interest. preserve the public health and protect those using such gas or electricity and those em

ployed in the manufacture and distribution thereof, or in the maintenance and operation of the works, wires, poles, lines, conduits, ducts and systems maintained in connection therewith.

3. Have power to fix the standard of illuminating power and purity of gas, not less than that prescribed by law, to be manufactured or sold for lighting, heating or power purposes and to prescribe methods of regulation of the electric supply system as to the use for incandescent lighting and fix the initial efficiency of incandescent lamps furnished for lighting..

4. Have power, in its discretion, to prescribe uniform methods of keeping books and accounts by the corporations engaged in the manufacture and distribution of gas and electricity for light, heat

O power.

5. Examine all persons, corporations and municipalities under its supervision, keep informed as to the methods employed by them and see that their property is maintained and operated for the security and accommodation of the public.

6. Require every person and corporation under its supervision to submit to it an annual report showing in detail (1) the amount of its authorized and outstanding capital stock; (2) the amount of its authorized bonded indebtedness and the amount of its bonds and other forms of evidence of indebtedness issued and outstanding; (3) its receipts and expenditures during the preceding year; (4) the amount paid as dividends upon its stock and as interest upon its bonds; (5) the name of and the amount paid as salary to each officer and the amount paid as wages to its employes; (6) the location of its plant or plants and system, with a full description of its property and franchises, stating in detail how each franchise stated to be owned was acquired, and (7) such other facts pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the plant and system and the affairs of such person or corporation as may be required by the commission. When any such report is defective or believed to be erroneous the commission shall notify the person, corporation or municipality making such report to amend the same within thirty days. Any such person or corporation or municipality which shall neglect to make any such report within the time specified by the commission or which shall fail to correct any such report within thirty days after notice, shall be liable to a penalty of $100 and an additional penalty of $100 for each day after the prescribed time for which it shall neglect to file or correct the same. to be sued for in the name of the people of the state of New York.

7. Require each municipality engaged in operating any works or systems for the manufacture and supplying of gas or electricity to make an annual report to the commission verified by the oath of the general manager or superintendent thereof showing in detail facts similar to those required to be shown by persons and corporations.

8. Have power, either through its members or inspectors or employes duly authorized by it, to enter in or upon and to inspect the property, buildings, plants, factories, power houses and offices of any such corporations, persons or municipalities.

9. Have power to examine the books and affairs of any such corporations, persons or municipalities and to compel the production before it of books and papers pertaining to the affairs being investigated by it.

10. Have power to subpoena witnesses, take testimony and administer oaths to witnesses.

INSPECTION OF GAS AND ELECTRIC METERS. Each commission shall appoint inspectors of gas and electric meters whose duty it shall be when required to inspect and ascertain the accuracy of any and all gas meters and electric meters. corporation or person shall furnish or put in use any gas or electric meter which shall not have been inspected, proved and sealed or marked by an inspector of the commission.

Νο

FRANCHISES AND STOCK ISSUES.

The provisions requiring approval of franchises, stock and bond issues and transfers of franchises are similar to those in the case of railroad and street-railroad corporations.

COMPLAINTS AND HEARINGS.

Upon the complaint in writing of the mayor of a city, the trustees of a village or the town board of a town in which a person or corporation is authorized to manufacture, sell or supply gas or electricity for heat, light or power, or upon the complaint in writing of not less than 100 customers or purchasers of such gas or electricity in cities of the first or second class, or of not less than fifty in cities of the third class, or of not less than twenty-five elsewhere, either as to the illuminating power, purity, pressure or price of gas or the initial efficiency of the electric incandescent lamp supply, or the regulation of the voltage of the supply system used for incandescent lighting. or price of electricity sold in such municipality, the proper commission shall investigate as to the cause of such complaint and examine the works, system, plant and methods used by such corporation. Notice of examinations shall be given and the person or corporation made the subject of complaint shall be given an opportunity to be heard. After a hearing and investigation the commission may within lawful limits by order fix the maximum price of gas or electricity to be charged by such corporation or person or may order such changes as will improve the service.

FORFEITURE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.

Every gas corporation and electrical corporation and the officers, agents or employes thereof shall obey every order made by the commission. Any such corporation, or any officer, agent or employe thereof who knowingly fails or neglects to obey or comply with such order or any provision of this act shall forfeit to the state of New York not to exceed the sum of $1,000 for each offense. Every distinct violation of any such order or of this act shall be a separate offense and in case of a continuing violation each day shall be deemed a separate offense. An action to recover such forfeit may be brought in any court of competent jurisdiction in this state in the name of the people of the state of New York.

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS. Whenever either commission shall be of opinion that a gas corporation, electrical corporation or municipality within its jurisdiction is failing or omitting or about to fail or omit to do anything required of it by law or by order of the commis sion it shall direct counsel to the commission to commence an action or proceeding in the Supreme court of the state of New York in the name of the commission for the purpose of having such violations or threatened violations stopped and prevented either by mandamus or injunction. Counsel to the commission shall thereupon begin such action or proceeding by a petition to the Supreme court alleging the violation complained of and praying for appropriate relief by way of mandamus or injunction. It shall be the duty of the court to specify the time not exceeding twenty days after service of a copy of the petition within which the gas corporation, electrical corporation or municipality complained of must answer the petition.

ARTICLE V.

This article abolishes the board of railroad commissioners, commission of gas and electricity, inspector of gas meters and board of rapid-transit railroad commissioners and provides for the transfer of records and the disposition of pending proceedings. It further repeals certain acts and parts of acts in conflict with the new law and specifies that the act shall take effect July 1, 1907.

THE COMMISSIONS.

Appointed by Gov. Hughes June 28, 1907. For New York City-William R. Willcox, chairman; William McCarroll, Edward M. Bassett, Milo R. Maltbe and John E. Eustis.

For Rest of State-Frank W. Stevens, chairman; Charles Hallam Keep, D. M. Osborne, James E. Sague, Martin S. Decker.

The public-utility law of Wisconsin vests in the railroad commission of the state the power to supervise and regulate every public utility in the state. The term "public utility" as used in the act means every corporation, company, individual. association of individuals, their lessees, trustees or receivers appointed by any court whatsoever and every town, village or city that owns, operates or controls any plant or equipment within the state for the conveyance of telephone messages or for the production, transmission, delivery or furnishing of heat, light, water or power, either directly or indirectly, to or for the public. Following are the main requirements of the law:

Every public utility is required to furnish reasonably adequate service and facilities. The charges must be reasonable and just.

The joint use for a reasonable compensation of conduits, subways, poles or other equipments over, on or under any highway must be granted whenever public necessity and convenience require it. The commission shall value all the property of every public utility actually used and useful for the convenience of the public.

Every public utility shall keep and render to the commission uniform accounts of all business transacted and the commission shall prescribe the forms of all books, accounts and papers required to be kept. No other books or accounts than those so prescribed shall be kept. The accounts shall be closed June 30 of each year and the balance sheet taken there from shall be filed with the commission. The agents and accountants of the commission shall have access to the books and records of all public utilities.

Every public utility shall carry a depreciation account whenever the commission shall determine that such can be reasonably required. The commission shall provide for such depreciation in fixing the rates, tolls and charges to be paid by the public.

Each public utility shall furnish the commission with detailed information as to (1) the depreciation per unit, (2) the salaries and wages separately per unit, (3) legal expenses per unit, (4) taxes and rentals separately per unit, (5) the quantity and value of material used per unit, (6) the receipts from residuals, by-products, services or other sales separately per unit, (7) the total and net cost per unit, (8) the gross and net profit per unit, (9) the dividends and interest per unit, (10) surplus or reserve per unit, and (11) the prices paid per unit by consumers.

The commission shall publish, annual reports showing its proceedings and tabulating the information obtained from the public utilities; it shall also publish in its annual reports the value of all the property of every public utility as to whose rates and regulations any hearing has been held.

No facts or information shall be withheld by the commission from the public longer than ninety days nor be so withheld except in the interest of the public.

The commission shall ascertain and fix adequate and serviceable standards for the measurement of quality, pressure, initial voltage or other condition pertaining to the product or service rendered by any public utility and prescribe reasonable regulations for testing and measuring such product or service. The commission shall provide for the testing of any and all appliances used for the measuring of any product or service of a public utility. Any consumer or user may have any such appliance tested upon the payment of the fee fixed by the commission.

Every public utility shall file with the commission, within a time to be fixed by the commission. schedules which shall be open to public inspection showing all rates, tolls, charges and regulations which it has established for any service performed by it within the state. A copy of so much of these schedules as the commission may deem necessary shall be printed in plain type and kept on file in every station or office of such public utility where payments are made by consumers and shall be open to the public for inspection. No other

rates or charges shall be made than those specified in the schedules until the same are lawfully changed.

For the purpose of making any investigation with regard to any public utility the commission shall have power to appoint agents and the commission may conduct any number of such investigations contemporaneously through different agents.

Upon a complaint made against any public utility by any mercantile, agricultural or manufacturing society or by any body politic or municipal organization or by any twenty-five persons, firms or corporations. that any of the rates, tolls, charges or schedules or any joint rate or rates or regulations are in any respect unreasonable or unjustly discriminatory, the commission shall proceed to make such investigation as it may deem necessary. But no order affecting the matter complained of shall be made without a public hearing. Ten days' notice of such hearing shall be given and both the public utility and complainant shall be entitled to be heard and shall have process to enforce the attendance of witnesses.

If upon such investigation the rates, charges or regulations shall be found to be unjust or unreasonable or in any way in violation of this act the commission shall have power to fix and order substituted therefor such rates, tolls, charges or regulations as shall be just and reasonable. The public utility, if found to be at fault, shall pay the expenses of such investigation.

Any public utility and any person or corporation in interest being dissatisfied with any order made by the commission fixing rates, charges and regulations, may begin an action in the Circuit court for Dane county to set aside such order. All such actions shall have precedence over any civil case of a different nature pending in such court. Either party may appeal to the Supreme court.

No franchise shall be granted to any person or corporation to operate any plant for the production, transmission or furnishing of heat, light, water or power in any municipality where there is in operation under an indeterminate permit as provided in this act a public utility engaged in a similar service without first securing from the commission a declaration after a public hearing of all parties interested that public convenience and necessity require such second public utility.

Every license, permit or franchise hereafter granted to any public utility shall have the effect of an indeterminate permit subject to the provisions of this act and subject to the provision that the municipality in which the majority of its property is located may purchase the property of such public utility actually used and useful for the convenience of the public at any time. paying therefor just compensation to be determined by the commission. Every municipality is authorized to purchase such public utility and every such public utility is required to sell such property at the value and according to the terms and conditions fixed by the commission.

Every municipal council shall have the power to determine by contract, ordinance or otherwise the quality and character of each kind of product or service to be furnished or rendered by any public utility within the municipality and to require such additions to the physical plant of the utility as may be reasonable and necessary in the interest of the public.

No public utility or any agent or officer thereof or any agent or officer of any municipality constituting a public utility shall offer or give for any purposes to any political committee or any member or employe thereof, to any candidate for or incumbent of any office or position under the constitution or laws or under any ordinance of any municipality of this state, or to any person at the request or for the advantage of all or any of them, any frank or any privilege withheld from any person for any product or service produced, transmitted, delivered, furnished or rendered by any public utility, or the conveyance of any telephone message or communication or any free product or service whatsoever. No political committee and

no candidate for office shall ask for or accept any such frank, privilege or free service from any public utility.

Any violation of the provisions of this section shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison not more than five years nor less than one year or by fine not exceeding $1,000 nor less than $200.

If any public utility or its agent or any officer of a municipality constituting a public utility shall directly or indirectly or by any device whatsoever charge any person or corporation a greater or less compensation for any service rendered than that prescribed in the published schedules or tariffs or than it charges any other person or corporation for a like and contemporaneous service, such public utility shall be deemed guilty of unjust discrimination, which is hereby prohib ited and declared unlawful and upon conviction thereof shall forfeit and pay into the state treasury not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 for each offense; and such agent or officer so offending shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined not less than $50 nor more than $100 for each offense.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation knowingly to solicit or accept any rebate or concession in respect to any service rendered by any public utility. Any one violating this provision of the law shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000 for each offense.

If any public utility shall do anything prohibited by this act or omit to do anything required by the law to be done, such public utility shall be liable to the person, firm or corporation injured

thereby in treble the amount of damages sustained in consequence of such violation.

Any officer, agent or employe of any public utility or of any municipality constituting a public utility as defined in this act who shall fail or refuse to fill out and return any blanks as required by this act, or shall fail or refuse to answer any question therein propounded, or shall knowingly make a false answer, or shall refuse on proper demand to exhibit any book, paper, account or record in his possession, or who shall fail to keep his accounts as required by the commission, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to a fine of not less than $1,000 for each offense.

A penalty of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 shall be recovered from the public utility for each offense when such officer, agent or employe acted in obedience to the instruction or request of such public utility or general officer thereof.

If any officer of any town, village or city constituting a public utility as defined in the act shall do or permit to be done any act that is prohibited or shall omit to do any act that is required, for every such violation, failure or refusal such officer shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500.

Every day during which any public utility or any officer, agent or employe thereof shall fail to observe and comply with any order of the commission shall constitute a separate and distinct violation of such order.

Every public utility shall give notice to the commission of any accident attended by loss of human life upon its premises and the commission, if it deems it necessary, shall make an investigation thereof.

Nov. 16, 1907. President Roosevelt sent letters of invitation to the governors of all the states and territories to meet him at the white house in May, 1908, to consider the question of means to conserve the natural resources of the country. His letter was as follows:

"The natural resources of the United States were, at the time of settlement, richer, more varied and more available than those of any other equal area on the earth. The development of these resources has given us for more than a century a rate of increase of population and wealth without parallel in history. It is obvious that the prosperity which we now enjoy rests directly upon these resources. It is equally obvious that the vigor and success which we desire and foresee for this nation in the future must have this as its ultimate material basis.

"In view of these evident facts it seems to me time for the country to take account of its natural resources and to inquire how long they are likely to last. We are prosperous now; we should not forget that it will be just as important to our descendants to be prosperous in their time. "Recently I declared there is no other question now before the nation of equal gravity with the question of the conservation of our natural resources and I added that it is the plain duty of those of us who for the moment are responsible to take inventory of the natural resources which have been handed down to us, to forecast the needs of the future and so handle the great sources of our prosperity as not to destroy in advance all hope of the prosperity of our descendants.

"It is evident the abundant natural resources on which the welfare of this nation rests are becoming depleted, and, in not a few cases, are already exhausted. This is true of all portions of the United States; it is especially true of the longer settled communities of the east.

"The gravity of the situation must, I believe,

appeal with special force to the governors of the states because of their close relations to the people and the responsibility for the welfare of their communities. I have therefore decided in accordance with the suggestion of the inland waterways commission to ask the governors of the states and territories to meet at the white house on May 13, 14 and 15 to confer with the president and with each other upon the conservation of natural resources.

"It gives me great pleasure to invite you to take part in this conference. I should be glad to have you select three citizens to accompany you and to attend the conference as your assistants or advisers. I shall also invite the senators and representatives of the 60th congress to be present at the sessions so far as their duties will permit. "The matters to be considered at this conference are not confined to any region or group of states. but are of vital concern to the nation as a whole and to all the people. Those subjects include the use and conservation of the mineral resources, the resources of the land and the resources of the waters in every part of our territory.

"In order to open discussion I shall invite a few recognized authorities to present brief descriptions of actual facts and conditions, without argument, leaving the conference to deal with each topic as it may elect. The members of the inland waterways commission will be present in order to share with me the benefit of information and suggestion and, if desired, to set forth their provisional plans and conclusions.

"Facts which I cannot gainsay force me to believe that the conservation of our natural resources is the most weighty question now before the people of the United States. If this is so the proposed conference, which is the first of its kind, will be among the most important gatherings in our history in its effect upon the welfare of all our people. THEODORE ROOSEVELT."

For the six months ended June 30, 1907, returns showed a total of 1,060.067 deaths from the plague in India. In the latter part of the year the re

ports indicated that the pestilence was decreasing, though the number of victims continued to be large,