The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-09
A MATTER OF SELF-PRESERVA-
TION.

The investigation into rates given by
the railroads to shippers of the North
west, including particularly the manu-
facturers and merchants of st. Paul
and Minneapolis, is a matter of no lit
tie moment, and one that should be re-
garded soberly and seriously. 1t is one,
too which cannot be passed upon off
hand, but has to be viewed in connec-
ton with the practices prevailing else
where and the relation of this business
center and it's business men to other
points, and to the interests which are
conferred there and fighting for su-
premacy For we do not suppose that
any observant man doubts that the in
SEPARATION of this movement is the jeaI-
ousy of Chicago, and its desire to Grip
pie and break down if possible the for
midable competition of these cities for
supremacy in the trade of the North
west.
1t is we'll to deal with this question
without pretence and without mincing
of words. The charge is that freight
rates have been cut; and it is the Of
fence of thus adding to the value of
the farmers wheat and subtracting
from the cost of what he has to pur-
chase that is to be inquired into and
remedied if possible. Behind this
stands the proposition that the business
in oh "a
ferred to other points, notably to Chi
cago We will not attempt to pass upon
the question whether lower rates have
or have not been made without the pub
licity and formality required by the
interstate commerce law, for that is
matter for the courts to ascertain. But
we will show, without difficulty, that,
if this has been done, and if it is to be
forbidden or punished such action can
not fairly or properly be taken in
one or two cities, While all their COM
petitors are receiving the advantage
that accrues from the same practice.
The truth is that there are two por-
tions of the interstate commerce law
that are not enforced anywhere, unless
it be in localities of limited area and
insignificant trade. These are the pro-
hibitions against pooling and against
reductions of rate without published
notice The railroads combine, through
their traffic associations, as freely
though not as publicly as before. And,
to escape the rigid rates prescribed by
such combinations, special rates are
made to get business. The head and
center Of all this, the leading spirit in
it and the chief gamer by it is Chicago.
1t is from that point that demoraliza-
tion radiated and spread; and Omaha
and Kansas City and ST. Louis and ev-
cry other railroad center has received
similar concessions. When such ar
engagements are made for one city, no
tory unless it receives an equally favor
able arrangement. We believe that it
may be said with truth that these rates
have injured no one, that they
Have uSN GI OGSn QlSSI III
character that they do not favor
one shipper as against another, but
that they do cheaper the cost of trans
portation to the whole community
which is the gamer thereby. If the
most rigid Interpretation of the law is
to be applied to business at any one
point, while competing points escape,
then discrimination begins; and then
those against whom the letter of the
law is drawn are placed at a disadvan-
tage with others seeking to supplant
them. The question thus resolves itself
into one of self-interest and self-preser-
walton. Is it right or is 1t wise to place
one community under the ban while
others have the largest liberty of ac-
tion? Is not that discrimination more
odious and more hurtful than any
which the law aims to prevent?
A perfect Illustration of the practical
aspect of this matter, as it seems to US,
IS given in an interview printed else