The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-27

Hnilroad Discrimination.
Some points made by Senator Camden
in his recent speech in the Senate on the
bill to establish q commission to regulate
interstate commerce have special interest
for West virginians. It is not only that
his views are advanced by Senator from
West Virginia, but as wellby a capitalist
engaged in building and operating rail
roads in West Virginia. The pending
question was on the amendment proposed
by Senator Slater, Of Oregon, and was in
these words:
Or shall charge or receive any greater
compensation Tor transporting similar
amount and kind OF property shorter
DISTANCE than for longer distance over
tho sane line OF road and in the same
direction; but this provision shall not be
construed TO Icgalize the charging as much
for shorter MS for longer distance Ill
any case.
This. was an iron.clad prohibition, in
tended to prevent the discrimination
which practically places Chicago nearer
to the Atlantic seaboard than Pittsburgh
or whceliug-a gert of geographical jug.
clcry common in the making OF railroad
freight rates. The amendment incorpor-
atcd the views OF but eleven Senators, by
the minority being thought too radical
and too great an interference with the
rights and business discretion OF tho rail
road companies. Senators Camden ana
Kenna voted for tho amendment, and
Senator Camden gave strong reasons for
supporting it
Senator Camdcn favored the creation Of a
railroad commission 10 inquire into the
whole subject OF interstate commerce,
and in his Judgment the amendment was
in the line OF the general rules which
should be laid down for tho guidance Of
tile commission. This he did, not only in
the interest Of shippers but ofthe railroads
themselves, which he thought would be
benefited by such provision. With re-
gard to the interest Of shippers he said:
Asa general thing complaints are not
that rates are too high. But what is com
planned OF, and what shippers consider
unfair discrimination, is the TACT that IN
some instances shippers engaged In the
same business, situated ut points more
distant from market than those nearer
tho same market, should have freight
pass by their own doors at a lower rate
than they are paying to reach the same
point Of destination. This, too, Is Of vital
importance to many shippers, as many
heavy articles which are produced ut close
margins OF profit might enable the more
distant shipper to undersell and drive
from the market the manufacturer or
shipper who Is nearer the market.
This also results in driving manulacto.
ries 10. the important centres OF railroad
competition in order 10 get cheap frcights
TO the detriment OF the towns better suited
for tho same manufactures, but lacking
III railroad composition to insure the bet
ter rates given to more favored points by
competition.
Tho INrELLIGRNcER does not know how
long Senator Camden has held TO his pres
cnt views on this very important ques-
ton. 1t may be that he has always held
them, though We believe he has not before
SO declared himself in public. The IL
TELLdRNcER Is glad to welcome a ..rail-
road Senator" to the popular side Of this
great question.
The States can do something for them
selves, but there is more for which ship
pers must look to the general government
orlook in vain. The peculiar discrimi-
nation at which the Slater amendment
was aimed ovcrruns State. boundaries and
touches tho general welfare" West
Virginia, for example, cannot prevent the
cattle ranges of the Territories being
moved by q freight rate nearer to Balti-
more, Philadelphia or New York than
our own West Virginia pasture lands;
tho United States can and ought to do it.
1t is not in tho nature OF the thing, not
not in the necessities OF the railroad bust
ncs1, nor is it just that a transportation
company shall charge more to move q
carload OF lumber from the Ohio river to
Baltimore than from the Mississippi to
the same point. There can be no show
ing, however plausible, that will make
this oven seem fair. 1t is not very long
since merchandise bought in the East
for Clarksburg, a hundred and twenty-six
miles east OF Wheeling, was shipped first
to Wheeling and then back to Clarksburg
direct from an eastern point. Other SINH
lar determinations might be cited. Most
any West Virginia town can supply itsown
illustrations.
This is not complaint peculiar to West
Virginia or to any ono railroad. The COM
plant is general, applying to all States and
to all great lines OF railroad. The remedy
will have to be as general as tie grievance.
Observation-Disclosures and Smiles.
UILed Ohlerra.