The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-05-19
WEDNESDAY, MAY is, 1897.
raE sHIpPnR,s POINT or VIEW

THE sHIPPER's POINT or VIEW.
The shipper who seeks no special
rate or rebate for his own particular
benefit is in favor Of the passage of
the bill now before both houses Of con-
gress, which, II passed, will allow
freedom OF contract betN cen railways.
The passage Of this bill will stop dis
elimination and enable railways
70 secure the regular schedule
rates. There is no desire to increase
rates. the object being TO stop railway
rate wars, and thereby put our rail
ways on solvent basis. Realizing
this, the National Board of Trade,
representing the shippers OF the
country, issued an important report AT
their recent meeting in Washington.
Among other things this report says;
1.-The great majority of railroad
managers and OF shippers on railroads
are sincerely DESTROYS OF remedying
these unjust determinations, there
can be no doubt; and, with the coop
GRAFTON OF this majority with the In
terstAte Commerce Commission, IL
would seem that they might be grad
uslly eliminated, but, as u condition
necessary thereto, railroads must be
given the power to enforce their agree
ments upon each other, which they
are now prohibited from doing by the
prohibition of pooling in the Interstate
Commerce law. This law should be so
Rmanded that pooling under the au-
thority and supervision Of the Inter
state Commerce Commission should be
allowed"
On the general question OF the fu-
ture welfare OF the country the report
says;
Railroad transportation touches
the commerce Of the country at in
Vulnerable points Uniform, stable,
and fair rates for the carriage of
freight and passengers are necessary
alike to~tne prosperity Of shippers and
csEfiers. Their interests are so inter
twined that one can hardly be pros
porous when the other is depressed.
The competition nf our waterways,
supplemented by that of our numerous
railroad lines, has given the United
States much lower rates for transpor-
tation than any otl.er country. While
formerly there was danger that the
public might be charged too high rates
for transportation, that danger nc
longer exists. There is more danger
that capital invested in trans portatior
facilities viii not receive its adequat'
reward. This is illustrated by the
numerous bankruptcies Of important
systems Of roads during the last few
losses TO Investors, but, with the es
tAblishment Of the finances oI
finances OF the country upon stable
basis, and the revival of trade which
will surely result, the prospects arr
good for brighter times, both for ship
pers and carriers Each should co
operate, for the common good, to elm
mate unjust discrimination and estab
Aihh luc coMmefcc VI tue SohhNAJ uPSi
u just and stable basis. The com
merce Of the country can afford TO pa
rate for transportation which will
yield fair return on capital invested
in transportation facilities, but It can
not stand unjust discriminations whicl
build up few and keep the mAn'
from rising"
y The Interstate Commerce Commis
sion has accomplished q good work
and 1t would seem to be wise TO con
tinue In the same direction. rhe ide
Is emphasized by reason Of the fac
that the railways, Inc representative
Of the shippers, the officials Of state
having charge Of railway matters, an
the commission itself are substantial y
in accord on this point. There may
differences In detail, but the bill I
amend the interstate commerce la
now before congress meets with Vi
approval Of nearly all conflicting inte
ests.
THOUGH the senate should relie'