Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-01-26
Special 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
in the most vigorous terms the Ian
guage affords. Manufacturers as we'll
as 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 10 protest against the ac-
ton of the railway missioners in
issuing an order that the railway COM
paries would hereafter be compelled
to obey the law and abolish special
or discriminating rates. 1t is found
hat at many points which offer good
opportunities to manufacturers and
shippers, the railway companies have
fixed special rates which have the eff
feet tc 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 the agricul-
turalists of the neighborhoods, giving
them a near and competitive market
and q convenient source of supply.
Therefore the proposition of the rail-
road commissioners to enforce the law
in regard to Especial rates." does not
meet with the favor similar PROPOSE
ton did a few years ago, before the ad-
vantages Of a special rate system we're
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 transporta-
ton to and from smaller and less i'm
portant stations; that it is to the adj
vantage of the railroad companies to
build up large manufacturing towns
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 SO on.
1t will depend largely on the pre-
dominant industry Of any community
M 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 he 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 state
have come to the surface in the dis
cussion Of the question ofspecial rates,
and We are more likely to see a sensi-
BILE conclusion reached than when un-
thinking prejudice clamored for unlim-
tied interference with railroad opera
| ions.-Mi!,Ddukee Republican.