The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1873-10-07
Tke Daily Ar9,ls,


Y pom such Raludtion the property OF rail- /
roads should be taxed the same as indiyid- |
ual citizens, and from their net earnings
they should be permitted to pay only rea-
sonable interest or dividends as for money
loaned They must also be required to
observe strict economy in their manage
ment, and prompt and cheerful obedience
to the laws.
One oftwo things must be true either
that the through rates from the seaboard
cities to the interior of Illinois, and adjacent
country, are greatlytoo low to be remunera-
tive, or that the local rates from Chicago
to the same points are oppressive and ex-
tortiOnate.
If the former be true, then the loss up
on the transportation OF through goods
must be made up by excessive charges upon
local transportation; and the latter is
therefore charged, not only with its rea-
sonable cost but also with the burden Of
the loss occasioned by an unjust discrimin
alton against Chicago, in favor Of its rival
seaboard cities.
Although primarily the injury thus pro
duced may be said to be borne by Chicago
and other interior cities, yet in the end the
losses fall upon the consumers of the goods
and upon the producers OF the State, whose
products are charged with excessive rates
| for local service and for transportation i'll
! seeking market, to make good the losses
occasioned by such, If they are unreasona-
| bly, low rates.
! The geographical position of Chicago,
ordinarily guarantees cheap for trans
portation to and from that point, by nat
ural lines oftransit 1t is great CONNER
cial center by reason of those advantages,
the influence of which, in great degree,
controls the rates charged by the railroads
which center there. Buff all other points
at the West are to have low rates equal to
Chicago and to make good the losses on
such low rates, extortionate charges are
made on local freights-products going to,
/ and merchandise shipped from Chicago
the effect will soon be apparent. Indeed,
the serious results upon Chicago and this
: State of the vicious freight system during
the past ten years, can be quite clearly
apprehended by any intelligent person who
will take the time to consider the sub
ject.
The local rates within this State for trans
porting articles of prime necessity, such a!
, fuel, lumber, stone, agricultural product
and implements, are from three to ten, anC
even twenty times greater per ton per mill
a than the rates on higher classes OF treigh
E TO and from the seaboard States.
d 1t is quite clear that all kinds of article
;, manufactured at the East are brought her
!. by rail at unremunerative rates, and ais
7, grain shipped to the Eastern States by raj
!, at a loss, else the local charges on the road
t. in Illinois, and all the States, are outrag
st eously wrongful and extortionate.
= !. If the first be true it presents an unjus
and vastly injurious discrimination againS
er Chicago and St Louis and the whole Nortl
l. west. in favor of the manufacturing States
i the East, sustained by extortionate loo
g rates.
Is Ifthe rates offrei ght charged by the raj
Sc roads were reasonable and just-an equ
oy charge for the same service, as rul
based on Just and equitable scale, al
IN such as would, if proper, in the aggrega
el- produce to the railroad companies of tt
country the same amount Of gross earning
as they now receive, the effect of Il
change, and equalization, would be to +
nv lieve the people of this and other Stat
IA from the burdens imposed by extortiona
1T locai charges, and from an artificial col
to petition with the East created by rat
ert which are now in the interest of that Sc
on IN ton of the country.
me Illinois possesses great facilities for ca
er- rving on manufacturing successfully, al
a no sound reason can be given why tn
md should be depressed by continuing the
m M cinus freight rates which have existed
the past. Certainly no reason can lie pl
}. scented of sufficient force to justify US
. tamely submitting that those advantaa
should remain dormant to satisfy eth
81 fAll Of 70 q
other monopolies
Y We cannot be satisfied to have c
State thus confined almost exclusively
corn raising and only other agricultu
pursuits.
Greater benefits are properly due to
and we must not lack the manliness to
y. mand, secure, and preserve them. I
'!s' Importance of Chicago to the whole peoI
accurate equilibrium cannot be over e.
=. mated. Its prosperity is in a great me
ure the prosperity Of the State al lar
When it suffers the State suffers, and a
ig nd system of management by the great ira
" portation agencies which discrimina
. against Chicago and checks its prosper
is iniuriously felt throughout the VIII
Northwest.
Some persons, despairing of being d
to control these great corporations ty st
authority. and others probably secretly
the interests of the roads themselves, HI
proposed to apply to the Congress Of
United States to exercise the power c
ferred upon it by the Constitution t. re
late commerce between the several sta
so as to subject these corporations to
tional control This remedy, if such
> may be called, is of very doubtful utility,
does the recent legislation of Congress
e kindred subjects commend it to our &C
~ dence. 1t would seem as though We v
y under provisional railroad empire, an
"A throw subject of such vast extent and
II tricate complications. backed by inter
< of ike nature, and such immense wea
and subtle power, wholly into the ha
n of Congress, would be virtually to aban
all attempt at control, and accept a
Il road empire Let us therefore resist
vi tendency to the last, and only accept
alternative when compelled to do
Bear in mind the recent exhibition Of '
of integrity in Congress, and then cons
- that an assessment Of l per cent. per
mum on the present railroad capital Of
country will produce thirty FIVE million
- dollars. This enormous sum for an
legislative use, it is iair to presume j
ing by the past, would be quite sutht
to prevent unfriendly legislation. OF
other words, it would secure such rat
FORK the railroad monopohsts might think
could succeed in extOrting from the pc
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