The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-05-29

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what shall be done. In determining
what means are best to secure the
realization OF this demand of the peo-
pie, the conditions peculiar to Texas
as we'll as conditions common to other
States must be considered. 1t must
not be forgotten that Texas is but
part of this great union of States,
and has no power to control rates ex-
cept such as are purely local, that is
within her own borders, from the point
OF shipment 10 the point of destination.
1t is necessary to avoid conflict with
the Federal laws regulating commerce.
tits essential perhaps, to steer clear
of collision with the United States
judicial authority, the Entertainments
of which are now the subject OF grief
and dread to the Democratic
patriot. The proper regulation
of railroads is command
from the people. In considering this
subject and devising plans for its ac-
complishment it should be constantly
insisted upon that the railroads of
Texas, railroads which she has subsi-
died and protected, and proposes still
to protect, must be run in the interest
of Texas rather than in that Of COM
munities, cities and markets outside.
l hope and believe this can be secured,
secured without any violations of jus
tice, good faith, or without shocking
the sensibilities of the most fastidious
Democrat. In my judgment this can
be secured by establishing by legis-
lative enactment such relation be-
tween local rates (by. local rates I mean
rates within the State) and Interstate
rates as will be equitable and fair. 1t
will not be disputed that the railroads
of Texas heretofore have been run
, rather in the interest of industries
north and east of us than in the iG-
terest of similar enterprises in Texas.
, 1t is we'll known, and l have seen it
myself, how an enterprise in Texas,
; competing with one of the same char
, acter located in st. Louis
Cincinnati or Chicago, may be
starved or throttled by dis
: elimination in favor of the latter
places. A discrimination for which
5 the State authority may find remedy
| in the manner 1 here suggest. Let
q Texas say through her legislature that
!, no local rate for fifty miles or less
shall be more per pound or per cal
per mile than three times the rate for
s the same class of freight from the
r most favored point outside the State
: to the same point of destination in
; Texas. For instance, say it is thou
8 sand miles from Chicago to Taylor
g and rate on given article is one
e dollar per one hundred pounds. That
3 would be five cents on the haul for
: fifty miles. Now, from Temple to
: Taylor it is, say, fifty miles. Then five
: cents per hundred is the proportion
for fifty miles OF the rate from Chicago
! to Taylor. Now, three times hve are
{ fifteen, which, under the rule, would
Y be the rate for one hundred pounds OF
e freight from Temple to Taylor. The
: present maximum rate in Texas fixed
: by law is fifty cents per one hundred
pounds per one hundred miles.
), That q rate for more than
s fifty miles and not more than 10C
t miles shall not be more than twice as
r much to given point in Texas than
t the rate on the same article from the
n most favored point outside of Texas
@ to the same destination here. For a
# distance of 200 to 300 miles say one
J. and one-half times and for haul o.
e over 300miles the rate shall be no more
# ia Texas than is the interstate rate
}, Some abatement might be allowed
r railroads in sparsely settled portions
n of the State where business is light
8 some allowance might be made on
n short hauls for loading and unloading
n The legislature meeting every two
e years, or oftener if necessary, can
II make adjustments to suit changed
: conditions. This would give mills in
e Texas a chance to ship their flour and
if compete with mills in Minnesota and
e Kansas. 1t will give the corn raiser
G of Dallas chance to ship his product
s to Galveston or Laredo and compete
e with his rival north of Red River. A
g manufacturer any town in Texas car
l. then distribute his goods and compete
J, with the world. Let the legislature
also from time to time fix maximum
!. rates and other standard rates which
IS will be further check. 1t is hoped
n that the agricultural products of the
S Northwestern States will soon be pass
= ing through Texas to deep water or
l. our coast. Such regulation as is here
IL proposed will enable our farmers to de
: liver their grain, cotton and beef or
If board the steamers at rate as favor
able as will Re enjoyed by the either
: of any other State. The prospect o
e deep water should be properly consid
IS cred in connection with this subject
/, With it VII! come competition by thu
n construction oi new lines of railroad
a which lines must be constructed un
h der laws not now in existence. Let the
IS legislature see to it in future that M
u railroad bond is issued without tn,
|. authority OF the State. This will b'
e an end of watered bonds and stock
II There will be no appeal then to thu
l. Federal courts by a railroad claim
IS ing the. right to earn inter