New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-11
THE FORKING OF THE ILLINOIS RAILROAD
LAW.

COMPETITION KuLEp-THE RULINGS OF THE RAIL
ROAD coMMIssIo SERsg Il COMMERCE.
II was plain from the beginning that the
railroad passed by the last Legislature was destined
il advocates IL was passed Difference TO the COM
plants that from intermediate and noncompetlng
roads were favored with lower tariffs than towns where
there only one The new Law vas framed 70 place
~ sR P!s T Rfh respect to transportaton
ana 70 govern term lG result hSs far has
TO kill competition without In the least relieving the IN
competing points but they have, not been reduced as
general thing at the noncompetDg points Inc neees-
he rates at competing points has thrown the business
into the hands Of railroads having shorter distance
earnings has been followed by an increase OF
rates on the Illinois roads Unless can be
have sustained by reason OF the law has not been
SUFFICIENT warrant the increase Of rates the people
I'M that case they will be likely 10 demand It's repeal or
modification at the next session OF Tue Inc
Railroad Commissioners have ruled correctly that the
law does not prohibit special rates fOr large con-
.ignments 1t srples only 10 ke 9aai1 arS -, Oh
avoiding the law they choose 10 do So IL seldom that
are NOT the railroads have the technical right make
special rates. There is no restriction on the railroads
shpment and they may therefore decide this for them
selves In every instance IL they should avail theta
e eodd al H Tehd s law S
They have chosen not 20 pursue this course and
selves, 70 make the pro rata principle odlous
Another construction which the Railroad Commission
era have made absurd and untenabe. This is the
ocaton Of law 20 Interstate commerce, over which
aether they the State Of Illinois have any control
Te railroads have decided, however, 10 abide by this
tonstructOB and, ia doing they are lnJuf1ng them
elyes the Of tue Northwest and the City OF
cieago They Justify themselves In this by the plea
at tie people expect them 10 be governed BY the Rail
road ConmsstO ners. This Is In one sense true The
cOnsructiOD, ridiculous IL Is, Is undoubtedly the
o1e which OF the people demanded As an IN.
dicaOD OF the effect OF applying the law 10 THIS class OF
shipments, IL Is stated that the Eastern roaos when
have but small portion OF track within the State
have lost q large portion OF their grain Dusl,
ness. IL was the custom OF these roads 10 send
their to stations other ROADS Ia the III
terror OF the State and take through eonsgtneDts
10 te Eastern markets. The application OF the local
rates the interior 70 Chicago has made TINS uh
profitable and the business has been largely dlsc0n-
tinued the law not applied TO this particular
case however there would be very serious discrlmna-
tson against Chicago, this through Interstate
Commerce would practically shut OF handling freight
in this CITY &c would also be hardship upon the
fsrmers since the local rates would be applied
Whenever there should DO shipment 70 Chicago to be
transferred 70 lake vessels The farmers would likewise
lie disposed 70 complain Of discrimination In favor OF
moro distant markets. where thsy cannot secure such
ouIck returns for their gTeln. Inc stuAton theD ID
d: The state Authorities nave no right 70 Apply the
Ia ta snF form intsFa5 tate co IeTce out u they 30
of 40 apply It, fails 10 accomplish ono oi tue purposes
Tar which Il was CODcsiVad-