The advocate., 1891-03-25
TOO MUCH POLITICS.

eral points That Will DO OF interest," 70
western farmers. 10 is important AZ
representing the ideas Of the "fnGN-
ciers" upon this question. The fol-
lowing is the article:
While prominent railroad men are making an
ondeavOr 10 place our railroad system upon a
basis shat win enable them tO make good earn
ings, while stops are being taken toward cOnsOll-
dAtlol and economy IN their management, and
railway managers are exhibiting patriotic
spirit In the care OF the important interests with
which they are charged, the inter shte com
merce commission NJ Washington seems Intent
upon placing every obstacle In the way. lts
special interest seems directed toward the farm
0rs OF tho west, and itS eagerness 10 protect the
agricultural interest involves o loss 10 those more
important. The noted flood products" case, In
which the opinion was put forth BY Commissioner
Morrison several years ago, had most Injurious
effect upon railroad earnings on an tho through
systems between the Missouri and the Atlantic,
the rates on wheat and other grains being re-
duced 10 On extent that involved 4 loss Of mll-
lions OF dollars yearly 60 the railroads and COLI
sequent addition 10 the favored interest OF the
country, the farmers OF the states west and south
OF the great lakes.
Now the commission presents another de-
CisIOn In which the principle Is laid down that
''the power 10 regulate commerce among Che
states is absolute In Congress, and rates on such
commerce may be regulated by federal authority
with reference TO trade conditions and oircum-
ha
or immuntles OF such commerce under Che con-
BttutiOn"
The action Of the commission In which tins
principle was laid down was taken In claim
presented by the millers Of Kansas and Missouri
against all che railroads. about twenty Of which
we're represented The millers and farmers Of
those stateg cOntended that difference In rate
OF cents per 100 pounds In the transportation OF
-four and wheat involved discrimination In
favor OF che mllers OF the southern part Of Toxas
against the mlllers and farmers OF Kansas and
Missouri. It Is 10 the credit Of the commission
chat, nOtwlthstandl1g the brOadness Of the claim
upon which interference was Justified, maiorl
~ Of lts members refused TO interfere In this In
stance and sustained the opinion OF OOmmla-
slOner schOOnmaker, thu New York member,
that "under the condition. existing in the terri
tory I'm question o rate OF cents less hundred
pounds on wheat than on -four does hOt as mat
tor OF fact work unjust disc rmnatOn, and is
not therefore unlawful"
Mr.. Morrison, however, presented q minority
report In which no claims tEpt I'm declaring
this higher rate on -four iawEGl, the commits
sion assumes to put the mlers OF Texas on a
parity with their competitors In the Texas
markets, by deprIylng Missouri and Kansas |
millers Of whatever advantage Ghey have In their
favorable lOCatOn;" ne contends alAO chat the |
discrimination against -four Is TO tho advantage |
OF the railroads, which move the grain and flour |
10 Texas mills, and then move it backward |
through the state, thus securing double rate.
While Mr.. Morrison 10 doubtless correct in tho
statement that che commission should not seek ]
TO equalize the disadvantages due TO geOeraPhi-
col location, the railroad people and Wall street
must again protest against interference with the
transportation agencies whose effect is 10 take
the profit from their treasures, beneHtting the
farmers Ofthe west whose pockets are being
filed as the railroad vaults are being depleted,
The fact Is the commission should not interfere
nc oil. 10 has done quite damage enough 10 the
railroads. The reduction Of the rates on Che food
products, made through the fundamentally, II
said, OF Mr.. Morrison, affected the earnings OF
every railroad between the Atlantic and the
Rocky Mountains, while 10 poured money into
the hands Of the agrculturalists who are Stil
crying for more.
It's about time some attention was being given
10 the interests Of the railroads. The commits
sion should second the efforts being made for re-
deemlng the railroads from the situation in
which the demands OF che western grangers have
placed them While the high character and
sense Of honor Of Mr.. Morrison is recognized, II
Is TO be regretted that his association With farm