The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-02-08

OLYMPIA Feb -.-~It is commented on
ia. there Is nothing new in the methods
adopted BY sha railroad lobbyists 10 pre-
sent the enactment Of such avs are
aAtectinushic 10 the r.t.roIt corporations
soss business in tha state Of Washing
Ton. Tnes are GLOWING the same lines
,hst have marked their s"Tk around lie
Washington legislature FiHce statehood.
Their tracks are therefore easily traced.
The first work ~ he railroad lobby has
slsays been delay. They have always
feared an early discussion OF the hills
~ the legislature and their primary ef-
fort Is 20 secure members in the senate
and house COMMITTEES who are posted 10
b always ready 10 move ar adjournment
or n move to delay action on the bills.
Every effort is directed toward delaying
committee action. and when the bills ara
pushed back as far possible then
comes the demand for Gefinit. infofma-
tar from the railroad and the pretense
Of the railroad companies ~ comply. but
which information never comes. IL Ia
10 be remarked that for several years
the railroad attorneys have been invited
10 appear before each legislature and
sh9w 81 facts and figures why they op-
ppsa a proper reduction OF rates. They
always come with a great deal OF pomp
ard ceremony. They invariably swell up
with Importance. tell how much money
has teen spent by the railroads In con-
s,Fue,inE their lines. refer Ia some dis
TAFT decisions. which they infer are IN
se Used By the railroads to prevent any
legislative interference. and talk grandiy
saout nghting any unreasonable iesisia
ton In the courts
Never Appealed to the Court.
IL Is remarkable that when the lCsisa-
turs ~ isl reduced she freight rates on
grain TO s.. - pet ton the railroads claim
I'd shsy could so into the courts and have
Ire rate bill set aside. BUT they didn't do
u. Tasy Induced the acting governor To
sefo the hil'
II f. ais remarkable that " hen the leg
lsisfHrs az LS3 passed the Anderson bill
me rafir1ads are said To have spent fully
tsao in preventing a lower rate being
fxss. and agreed That In case the rate
was ased at as that TIE roads would
sFespg the law
II Is likewise remarkable that In lsss
Re railroads found II profitable 10 spend
exef ssatso IN destroy ait legislation on
railroad subjects though they argued
openly befnr .the committees and 10 mem
Asss personally that they would have no
tfaUnie Ia having the Helm bill II en-
acted set aside, The Helm nill fixed A
maximum rate of $50 per ton. II was
drawn by Judge Turner of Spokane who
Is one OF the hest constitutional lawyers
b she state and q Mas prepared cure
fully. IN the expectation that tac ral!-
fpaIN would attempt IN upset II if EN-
acted into law Tho fact that enough
Money was spent IN entirely defeat the
bill was proof that the railroad COM
panies attorneys were aware OF the le-
sAltty of the act
Given More Than Asked For.
II Is further remarkable that in 1897 MIR
Gfusscup az the Northern Pacific and
Nj. VIII Thompson. Of the Great North
err. were sent down here 10 prevent a
reduction OF the SAT- rate. or az least TO
prevent Il being reduced 10 tss2 the
amount demanded hy the people These
men employed George Stevenson - DO
ihe secFet work ami he unlosded many
cases II whisky upon members Tn an at
tempo r. ENE their influence without cash
when the Nght locked darkest M
.Fosse'.r fvmarket that "a 81 rate would
ee sseapte BILE 10 the railroads bslt later
VAS . fopu}i~t member of tho senate
VITO arose NUd a-kr{i to have the rate In
we hi3i Increased 20 So s. The same mem
Der Is in the present senate
Another Threat of Contest
Nov another effort - being made - Sc
eaFe - the people theIr rights. Sc taTtlv
- eeirg Ecs rted Tbs desire Is 81 allow
he farsUeF@ ~ Tno PaiauSe and RS Bend
e~gnirias tn Eastern Washington ratio
e9a&l - auag- s 5e Tor fh.s iouK-siixt Arra
ha0s e %s miles The railroads again
"a ih's IS 20" ioa that no reduction can