The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-06-28
RAILROAD TARIFFS.

AS the ISL OF july approaches, tHe ftaiiroau
officials in this state are intensely busy in
fixing up their tariff of changes to conform to
the new law. AS the law is utterly distasteiul
10 them, the first object-the foundations
principle, in short-steadily held in view in
fixing up the new tariff, is so TO arrange il
that it shall conform to the letter of the law,
and yet be as oppressive and unjust as posi-
Bile to make the law unpopular. No arrange.
ment of the new tariff, therefore, that will
amount to a substantial reduction Of frcights
or fares from any point to any point in Hi.
nois is either aimed at or contemplated. In
short, the whole striving seems TO be to in
crease rates, and yet retain reasonable
business for the road. Taking advantage,
therefore, Of the loose phraseology of the law,
which merely requires that there shall be "lar-
ger rates for greater distances" the roads pro
coed to make unjust determinations against
shorter distances without mercy. Thus for
the first 25 miles the freight is, say 2 cts. per
100 lbs. per mile, for the next 25 miles IL
ct. per 100 lbs, and for the next IS miles CT,
eL4 bO Oil' lIlt SuOl luc ulSlihtC,
higher the freight The arrangement is an
admirable one to get q large business in
through treights at the expense of intermedi.
ate shippers Another loophole has been
found in the law in the matter of special rates,
The law says, there shall be no two prices
for shipping the same quantity from the same
point; meaning that one man shall not be al.
lowed TO ship ! 900 bushels OF grain for 800
and another for $50 from the same 20 the
same point; but the freight superintendents
construe the law to mean that Ii will be no
violation OF Tie law to carry one mans 600
bushels for 500 and charge the other man at
.he rate of $50 for 900 bushels, as it is not the
same qusDtityn
This IS specimen Of the spirit with which
the railroads are complying with law they
nate as one Of their officials boosted 10 US
the other day, At present." said he, I'VE
carry corn from T. TO Chicago for 10 cts. per
100 lbs, but after the 1st the farmers have
put up the freight to "a cts.n
1t is TO be regretted that the temper Of the
railroad managers is such as 70 lead them to
2ct in this spirit. 1t looks very much like
Il defiance on their part OF the farmers, and a
purpose to fight il out with them on that line.
The railroads probably think that, az they
ave made il ruinous for any man to attempt
% fight them in 4 law suit, 50 they can sickcn
She farmers OF this contest against oppression
Our decided impression is that in that calcu
alton they viii find themselves d" nightly
mistaken II is one ching TO fight one man
n a law suit and another and very different
hing 70 fight the farmers associations and
oranges The farmers embrace three fourths
Of the voters Of the State; they can-and. they
6t1-make and unmake legislatures, govern
ors and COUgTs, and if the railroads some
day find themselves in a position where they
are hopelessly at the mercy of those whom
jhey have oppressed and defied and where
even highly ieed lawyers and bribed courts
cannot help them, they will have none to
blame but Themselves The farmers are not
the enemies Of the railroads. They ask of
Them only what is fair. II the railroads in
sultIngly and deian:ly refuse TO yield that,
The farmers have il in their power TO take 1t.