The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-26

"We Will reduce the burdens laid
upon productions by the greed Of
transportation companies, aided by
legislation purchased from Rcpub-
lican legislatures. To this end we
favor law providing for freight
rates NOT EXCEEDING those of the
Helm bill. and we favor a cents per
mile passenger fnrc."--Pinnk No. in
Demo-Tusion EIlensburg Platform,
1886.
Thus was the Republican party belahor-
ed by the fusionists In 1895 for the failure
Of the legislature OF 1895 to enact proper
railroad legislation Prior 10 that--in 1891
and lS93-,he Republican legislatures had
passed the Wasson and the Anderson bills
and rates had been reduced from $3.50 and
s. 20 si.sS per ton on grain. That was at
time when the railroad grades were
heavier than they are uuw; when locomo-
tives did not have over :wo-thirds tho
hauling capacity. when there was a small
er acreage in wheat and when 81. 1s rate
was a reasonable as would be s.. 30 rate
today
a detailed examination OF the case shows
that when the legislature OF 1881 met there
was rate In fierce for carrying wheat
from Spokane Of $50 per ton, while tho
rate from Spragpe was 81 per ton. All
through the Palouee country different rates
were made from different points. the price
being fixed by the distance. The legisia-
iure OF 1891 took the matter up and passed
What was known as the Wasson bill which
reduced the rate IN ear load lots for go
miles or less to s. per ton. This was tho
first bill to pass that made an equitable
rate for farmers, for II allowed the price
OF wheat 70 he equal n all points in East
ern Washington. Unfortunately for tho
people and the Republican party. Charles
K. Laughton who had been elected lieu-
tenant governor. was acting governor ow-
ing 10 the Illness and consequent enforced
absence Of Gov. Terry. Laughton vetoed
the Wassou bill. but was so thoroughly
condemned BY the Republican party for
that act OF Injustice that he was never
again recognized or trusted by the party
In any way. The result was that at the
next session Of the legislature. which met
in 1893. the Anderson bill was passed and
became q law. This bin fixed the rate at
SAT and, considering the hauling capacity
ot the light engines then in use, WAS
more reasonable rate than the ono now in
force In 1896 the Iem bill was draft
cd, proposing a long hail rate Of s2.75 on
grain The rate al that time baliev-
ed 10 he too low TO admit of a profit. for
the railroads were stin using the small
locomotives and owing 20 4 refusal on the
part OF Helm and his friends 10 accept
sa long haul rate~which was proposed by
the west side members and deciined--,hs
bill WAS defeated In the senate. though IL
had passed the house by vote Of 81 yeas
10 rays.
II was because Of the failure 10 pass the
Helm 1915 rate bill that the Peoples par
~ condemned the Republican party in the
above plank IN the Elensburg platform.
A. that time x viii be observed the Dem
ocrats promised the people a rate on grain
not exceeding The rate in the Helm bill.
SOS per ton. bat how did 1t keep its
pledges9 II wae aware OF the fact that the
railroads had pu, heavy engines which
increased their hauling ability al least ONE
third. ana pasSed raie bill making n
charge OF 81 per ton By that act II In
creased the profits OF the railroads from
what they had been two years before. ard
ROB bed the farmers os Eastern Washington
o! AZ least kE>5 fssi.
Furthermore. forty-ninr other
bills against the railroads were de-
feat~d. aud not one other antt-ratl-
rond bin was passed.
BY wha, method of reasoning can this
party ot ''reforrners' figure oaf that they
re friends - the formers and THAI the he
publican party is not7
The f'eop|es . party claims 70 20 IRE friend
o. t1e }abor organizations and the working
man. II IS easy 20 profess, but the records
sho4g ira, il Is oa!y a profession that was
ignored when tne F4r5y was ia a position
=, he ssf sore service 70 the laEpging men.
Tn laat Tea, Stature was controlled in both
hossss Is tho Peoples party. ard ,he Per-
r,c's rarty - responsible FOR every bill
presented tna; failed 20 pass. Many good
bilis we're Srofhefed ~ death for reward
or gain y~isi.e In eoyne Instances the ''la~
Boring cinss'' was treated a. a auge joke.
Here - ane instance ia which an atteyns.
q labornn uer - protect them IN their
r-gata pas sy.eerea at - the Peoples party
senate the record of wh>cf, - taken from
th@ house and senate journals:
There was presented III gas house on
January 2, l@7. a b-i By Representative
HsgIaals os king @nts.3esi.
An net Ia protect employees and
guarantee their right to belong t.
faher organizations
TE.s 81. Vas rs1erEed 10 the coxuyrtstnA