The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1890-06-13
Report Of the Interstate Commerce
Commission.


WASHINGTON, June 9.-The report OF
the interstate IN commission
upon the investigation made by IL under
he Paddock resolution was sent TO h
senate yesterday. The commission re-
ports that the through rates from The
Missouri river were found to be too
high and that any rate higher than II
cents is excessive. 1t also finds thata
reduction of > cents should be made
from all stations west OF the Missouri in
Nebraska and Kansas. On the Paddock
inquiry whether the operation OF n
long and short haul clause has or has
not prevented u reduction OF the through
rates OF transportation of food products,
the commission practically admits that
eXcuse is given the railroad companies
for higher rates by reason of the unelas-
Iictic nature OF the third section of tho
act. 1t therefore recommends congress
10 amend this section so that through
carriage at through rates over connect
ing lines may be permitted.
Senator Paddock said that he was
much pleased that the commission had
reported so early. The facts which
they bring out said the senator, ARE
of the highest value. They are conyinc-
ing that through rates have been exor-
bitant as charged and that the railroads
have been hiding behind their interpre-
tatiOn of the long and shorJ-haul clause
to defend the maintenance of unreason-
hIn RbprpnS Tho hnninorS 1f InD. s1m-
mission bear out fully my often eX-
pressed belief that some mOditicatlo OF
the long and short haul clause is needed
So tar as food products are concerned,
To take away the excuse that low through
rates will disturb all rates AT intermedi-
ate points. This is brought out very
clearly in the commissions report, but
the chief value of the investigation
brought out by the resolution IS the
official pronunciamentO that any rate
above II cents between the Missouri
river and Chicago Will be considered eX-
ceSSive and eXorbitant by the Interstate
commission, and that rates
from the interior points 10 the Mis-
souri, river should be also reduced.
This is 4 result which has been
reached without suit or a dollars
worth of expense TO Nebraska, and
on that account | am greatly pleased, as
L am sure the producers OF my state Will
be. The essence OF the railroad problem
in Nebraska, As elsewhere in the west,
not the whole problem by any means,
but a vital and central point, lies IN the
rate from our cOrniieid and farm yards
to the eastern markets. / believe thai
the selfish Interpretation put by the rail-
roads on the long and short haul clause
has cost Nebraska $40, 600, 900 at the
least. We needed Just such Il finding OF
facts as is brought out by my resolution
for Il basis for intelligent action. Tho
west viii not permit the repeal OF the
long and short haul clause. but it will
demand a modification. | believe in the
interests of the shipper where that in
tereSt can be shown. The commission
hits the nail on the head squarely, when
1t says, speaking of the through traffic
for export: The N of conducting
this traffic in the past warrants the be-
lief that the roads, if permitted, would
carry commodities for export at reduced
rates Through lines are essential to
long distance transportation at reaSona-
bic rates and the omission of congress TO
make the necessary provision for them.
may enable the carrier by disseminating
or refusing TO establish them To defeat
in part the purposes of this inveStiga-
tiOD.o