, 1890-11-13
WASHING ToN,y RAILROADS

WlSIfINGTON'S RI iLROiDS
The last legislature Of Washing
ton utterly failed to regard the plain
mandates of the constitution In the
matter of railroad legislation. lhat
failure lost hundreds of votes TO the
republican party.
Among the farmers of Eastern
Washington Il growing feeling OF
discomfort can easily be detected.
They are not receiving q fair price
for wheat, and for this loss the rail-
roads are directly responsible. First,
by charging rates on grain snip
ments to the seaboard that are con-
sidered extortionate, and second by
falling to provide adequate rolling
stock and thereby preventing grain
buyers from paying q fair price for
the wheat they purchase. Whether
or not the latter condition Is due TO
conspiracy between the railroad
companies and their adjuncts, the
elevator companies, or to the eNer-
else of faulty Judgment, the REVIEW
is not prepared to say at present.
Still, the fact remains that the rail-
roads are responsible for these bur-
densome conditions.
Section 13, of article IL Of the con-
stitution, says:
All railroads, canal and other trans
portation companies are declared to be
common carriers, and subject to legisla-
tive control.
Sec. 1s-The legislature shall pass
laws establishing reasonable maximum
rates OF charges for the transportation o
passengers and freight, and to correct
abuses, and to prevent discrimination
and extortion In the rates of freight ano
passenger traffics on the different rail
roads and other common carriers IN the
state, and shall enforce such laws by
adequate penalties. A railroad anc
transportation commission may b'
established, and its powers and dutie'
fully defined by law.
The last legislature neglected its
duty and waived its power to create
u railway commission. In conse
quence the people are powerless tc
help themselves. The statute books
are a blank. No strong official hant
can interpose between the public
and the railroad companies. The
people are suitors to the corporations
and the latter naturally are guidec
by self-interest.
1t is vain to turn to the railway
companies for relief, or to rail a
them because they are asserting
their greedy rights under the law
The farmers themselves would prob
ably act In n similar manner II they
owned the transportation lines and
the railroad people held the wheat
The last legislature was culpably
remiss In its duties. The next will
be more so If 1t fail to regard tho
mandates of the constitution and t
provide the state with the necessary
machinery to assert the rights Of thu
people. Washington to-day stands
at the mercy of the great railway
corporations. They know no law!
save those of congress. They arr
common carriers, asserting the higl
right of eminent domain, using tn,
state as an instruinentality for tn,
enrichment of their owners, anc
bowling to no restrictions because
none have been thrown arount
them.
The REVIEW is not finding faul
with the railroad companies. TIL,
responsibility rests with the las
legislature. 1t would be puerile tc
expect unselfish consideration from
the former. 1t must come from the
peoples lawmakers.
The new legislature is republican
by decreased majority. Let
longer neglect its duties and the re
publican party will suffer.