The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-12
RaIu.neap COMBINATIONS.

The railroads In soric parts OF the coun-
try are smnrtins now for taking such aa-
vantage Of the opportunity which monop-
oily AFFORDED 10 max. all the money they
could without much consideration for
users. They a-c suffering now from the
efforts OF the people 10 defend themselves
against extortier. and. rs Is too frequent
" the ease. the ayenger has gnna too fur
In his effort at retaliatury justice.
The decision Of the supreme court on
combinations Is no doubt the logical re-
suit Of the law passed IN restriction OF
railroads combining To keep ;,sices up
above ~ fair return for tbs Investment
There II no doubt that the effect is very
miscellaneous on the railroads and tina, 1t
viii I've necessary 10 afford SOME remedial
legislation, The trouble which conernats
the railroads II not confined Ia this coun-
try. but they SEER, TO have succeeded I'm
Europe In arr'Tias at happy medium
by which the raliraad are permitted 10
earn reasonable income without having
tie opportunity af imposing unreason-
able rates upon fresghtsrs. George X.
blanchard. of The commission OF the Joint
Trs,f'lc Association. has prepared a very
lengthy statement 60 present To CONGRESS
In which he reviews the situation herr,
and In Esrnpe Ia 1874 Switzerland In
vifei Austria Hungary. nalsinm. Ger
ynaay. 'sa'y and the Netherlands 10 con-
FER as 20 competitive international rail.
fAfiN% In t9,sr fhwt
hiffs cf 'ai'ng might prevail between
their rival routes and srontserR. FOR
nearly twelve years however. the aig
eersnces remained unas'ussoa and II WIS
not until issa that AN agreement was ar
rived as hetween the private ana the
government railroads which was snhae-
quentiy ratified by all The participating
nations. rtslcr that compact undue com.
petition VAS ended. government and pfl-
va.e rights serc conserved. and stable and
res sonahie charges were announced ,,Den
w.:s-h Go. base competitive national and
International traffic interchange. Therv
can be no doubt that this "a the more
tast ana wiser public policy. provides,
that the resulting rates are adjusted 80
o. I, give the nehlie come Of she benefits
which modern railroad facilities AFFORD
n the way Of reduced cost. NJ mfaaea-
ara says tha, had these governments ana
che private railways aetef upon tie or
ppaeous theories OF competition heta hy
nexysrssneed ARA hostile opponents ~
American railways. they was3}a nor have
thus associated or agreed hut would
hsve fought the carrying struggle so
nnsss. The railways would have aeteFsa-
rated and commercial ins,ab,nsscs and
Afscrsmsaa,ioas In rates would have tvn-
einussi or Increased
No Intelligent lsgialatare ~eula unGeF-
tske a. pass laws intending tn rripgle
railroads: and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. this oeca-
ss,nai Instances az corruption Witch sey M
10 arise, VIC doaa. z any majority causs
b. foura Ia maisess slsfy pass = sNw in
tended 10 make railroads carry freight
p, loss. When an unjust law is enact
ed II IL due O. the Ignorance - the fogss-
rascrs. who rsay make mistake "a 70
schedules without tssaw frfaeressi ny sTzs~
PROPER motives. The law which ess re-
quilted IN rogSsdasns railroads - combine
VAS ne. satetsei 10 preeens thsm re-
agcsng rates. rns 20 pseveat ssvus Usts~
ing ~ keep sSena ua 80 aa rGss'as ngp5Ass~
tisn. Mr. blanchard shows !. nSsie elas
whea TIC says that The supreme eoV.s A@a