The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-09-18
BRING THEM TO TIME.

Now that Wichita has had a favorable
decision in the freight rate controversy,
| it remains for Wichita 10 prosecute the
case till the reduction is actually made
to shippers. The courts ruling on the
demurrer practically decides the main
issue. but it does not change the freight
schedule. What we want is lower rates
rates which show up in bills of lading
as well as in statutes and court declS-
ions. Fortunately this last decision sup
plies the means for obtaining these rates.
1t heals the defect IN the interstate COM
merce law, by asserting the courts
authority to enforce It's provisions. The
way to enforce this law is plain, and
there ale now no impediments other
than those which stand in the way OF
all laws. When a man is suspected OF
grand larceny he is plsced under arrest.
the bill is filed and proof submitted to
sustain the charge. If it is conclusive
he is found guilty, goes to prison and
serves his time IN obedience to the laws
demands.
The violator of this commerce law is
as clearly subject to its penalties as the
culprit who goes to prison for theft 1t
remains then to arraign him III court,
prove his guilt and impose the fine or
send him TO prison or both. The out
rageous Determinations in freight rates
have been so common that there VIII be
little trouble in finding the guilty
parties. There is a specific or implied
contract in every shipment OF freight
that is made. Somebody makes the
rate and somebody receipts for the goods
and collects charges. The responsibility
lodges somewhere with the parties, and
it is only for courts to determine who
has violated the law. There is no doubt
that discrimination constitutes an Of
Tense. 1t is enumerated among the
specific acts, which. by the terms of the
interstate law, are subject to Its severest
penalties. No language Is too strong to
denounce the rule which compels WIch-
tia to pay double the rates of Lincoln
and Omaha, Neb., on eastern shipments.
It is direct and ruinous tax on every
ton of coal and every other staple used.
It impoverishe5 the people of one section
and cheapens tie cost of living in
another. This is a species of slavery
which western people will not allow,
and it must be stopped at any cost.
Another outrage upon the masses is
the odious system of rebates to favored
shippers. What can be more unfair
H., - 81 fo,- nd oh
up the reduction to nine others who are
unable to secure il: When a single road is
shown to have taxed Its patrons ard rob-
bed the stockholders to the extent of
$1,000, 900, paid out as an unlawful
bonus to secure business it is certainly
time to call halt on rebates. The or
der las been 10 "get business" and the
enormous premium paid for it shows up
in the above figures. This is a direct
violation of the law, though railway Of
ficials seem to assume it as their rightful
privilege to ignore it. 1t is the simple
duty of every citizen of Wichita or
other towns which have suffered by
these determinations to inform on the
SuiItJ pdiI WHICH, 1iISy huO" lhS law
has been violated. 1t is also the duty of
city and county attorneys to collect eV-
idence, place it in the hands of grand
jurieS, and prosecute all offenders as
they are sworn to do. These prosecu-
tions would be in no way connected
with the case now before the Federal
courts. They might have been taken up
long ago but it is not too late now.