Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-01-13
Snecial Railway Rates

1t is fact worthy of comment that
the character of popular meetings hav-
ing reference to railway tariffs has
! changed greatly in the past half dozen
years. From 1871 to 1875 discrimina-
ton in freight charges was denounced
III the most vigorous terms the Ian
guage affords. Manufacturers as well
us farmers were swept into the stream
of Indignation, and legislatures made
quick work of the matter by establish
ing railway commissioners, fixing max
imum charges and prohibiting discrim-
mating rates. The other day there
was a meeting of farmers, manufacture
ers and general traders living and do
ing business in Northern Illinois. 1t
] appears from the proceedings that the
meeting was to protest against the ac-
ton of the railway commissioners in
issuing an order that the railway com
panies would hereafter be compelled
to obey the law and abolish special
or discriminating rates. 1t is found
that at many points which offer good
| opportunities to anufacturers and
shippers, the rail way companies have
| fixed special rates which lave the ef-
| feet to divert trade from unimportant
stations and to build up these better
points. By reason of these special
rates many towns have been able to
establish large works, to build great ell
evators, and to enlarge all forms of
business enterprises. This has bee !
greatly to the advantage of tie agricul-
turalists OF the neighborhoods, giving
them a near and competitive market
and y convenient source of supply.
Therefore the proposition of the rail
road commissioners to enforce the law
i'll regard to Especial rates" does not
meet with the favor a similar PROPOSE
| ton did a few years ago, before the ad-
vautages of a special rate system were
understood. The argument of those
who are benefited by the special rates
is that the lower tariffs are the natural
consequence of favorable location
and that they are justly entitled to all
the business advantages which come in
this way; that it is absurd to compel
those whose trade is especially desired
by railroad companies because of their
| favorable situation, to pay the same
rates that are charged for Transports
ton to and from smaller and less i'm
portant stations; that it is to the ad-
vantage of the railroad companies to
build up large manufacturing towHs
along their lines, and to do this, speci-
al Inducements must be offered to man
ufacturers to locate at these points, and
that these manufacturing centers add
greatly to the wealth of the state, and
benefit large number of agricultur-
ists-and 50 on.
1t will depend largely on the pre-
dominant industry of any community
IS to which view it will take of this
question-but something is gained
when any large number of farmers and
manufacturers have reached the con-
clusion that the question has two sides
and that the wisdom Of the extreme
measures to control railroad business
is open to doubt. Back of it somewhere
are the natural laws OF business which
cannot Re violated with impunity, to
the Study of which the legislator should
devote himself before writing out laws.
The conflicting interests of farmers and
others in different sections of a state
have come to the surface in the dis
cussion Of the question ofspecial rates,
and We are more likely to see sensi-
BILE conclusion reached than when un-
thinking prejudice clamored for unlim-
tied interference with railroad opera
tions.-Mil,rdukee Republican.