The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-03-02

Colfax. F'eo q 1922
To- the Editor: For nearly a week past
] have talked with grain men. some OF
them growers. some shippers. ard some
carriers Of the precious cereal. and nave
come TO the conclusion that the Runner
LaFolleste freight bill - now the Great
Eastern Question az least the great
question vital TO the eastern hall Of our
state.
Here Co,fax Is the hub OF the Palouse
wheat region. and here interest in favor-
able freight legislation cezasers. II IS ifser-
es,ing to hear the various comments OF
those interested IN the legislation sought.
Some OF the wheat men charge the O.yn-
p.a solons with corruption. some say log
rolling and vo,a-srad.ng on local matters
account for delay and possibly defeat OF
The needed freight redlctson, while many
charge the Northern Pacific with posses
sing a auit-clain, deed 10 the present state
senate, with a few Individual executions
one Of them being Sena;or Hall, OF this
county
There q one thing that the senate and
the Ni,road lobby at Olympia should keep
n mind for future reference and that is
The intense earnestneSss OF this people for
relief. They know their demands are just,
and though foiIed at this session. will ap-
peal TO the people of the state again and
again till they gel relief.
Reduction Of freight rates Wa the slogan
In 1896. and no relief followed fusion VIC
tory. Ii was the ral.yinS cry OF our party
in nearly all these counties in lssS. for
We explicitly promised them what they
wanted in the Tacoma platform. They are
watching va-niy toward Olympia for fui-
nllment OF the agreement.
From the present outlook the people Of
the east side have had enough OF sord;d
psrtisanship. and in the future vii, meas
ure men individually on the question OF
freight rates until II is settled, and il
might be added. not for legislative honors
alone, but for state offices. too. There will
bc his one leading question asked each
nominee in 1850 who Seeks the votes from
Asotin TO Okanogaa: How do you stand
on freight legislation Woe TO the cam
siida,e NTH past unfavorable record who
cannot answer properly.
OF al the silly arguments emanating
from Olympia, the most ~tshy-washy =
the one TO the effect that If rates are re-
Guced construction viii he stopped. What
are the railroads in tn field for? For
pleasure or business? il does not need a
skilled railroad attorney to answer they
are out for business. They viii go where
they csin get business. too 1t Is fact.
though not known 90 by the railroad lobby
az Olympia. that the more branch lines
constructed the mere business flows into
the main line, and the more business done
by the road the less the expense OF operat-
ing in the aggregate, and as natural com
sequence reduction OF rates follows AT
the present time the branch lines are pour
ing in business TO all the main lines, and
the conditions Of TWO years ago gre not
The conditions of today. The prevailing
opinion among all Interested IS that the
present rate should be scaled down about
one-third by this session, and if business
continues brisk for few years. when the
wheat country is studded with branch
lines the rate can be further reduced till
!; reaches about cne-half the present rate
1t is noticeable that. Notwithstanding their
h.msy arguments about future crippled
condition the Northern Pae.fic and Q. r.
& n are both rushing their survey par
ties through the Penawawa vailey--a dead
race for right-of-way into more business.
The railroad lobby forgot to explain why
the Northern Pacific can afford 10 haul
wheat from points around Davenport, on
the Washington Central railroad, via Ia
coma to Portland. for the same blanket
rate that covers the haul 70 Puget sound
ports. Their reasons for this would make
interesting reading. In speaking TO
prominent grain shipper the either day,
VINO. by the way. was at enc time prom
inent railroad lobbyist around legislatures.
asked him why it was that the Northern
Pacific could afford TO haul via Tacoma 20
Portland for the blanket rate. He smiled
n perfect lobby smile and replied: Be
caune they are amply paid for It,"
What a snap the O. r. s. y. people have
at the present rate, when their down-hiii
pull into Portland is considered! Why.
tho legislature ought to get liberal and
help them out by raising the rates.
The Palouse farmer Is an Observable
sort Of fellow. He would Ike 10 have the
lobbyists or their friends in the legis allure
explain why there is 6earsh Of cars for
h.s wheat. 1t Is estimated that 40 per cent.
OF last years crop Is yet in the farmers
hands. Many OF them are ready 10 sell.
l,u, find no cars to move the wheat. The
farmer n his observations has discovered
that more than half the cars of the Q. r.
& N. Company are hauled east 10 Duluth
and West Superior, and as a result he viii
have to wal, their return.
Now, In thinking of cars going East.
the wheat men would like the lobbyists at
olympia to explain why 1t h under the
wheat quotations published daily n West
Superior and Portland, the roads must
charge ies. cents per bushel for 100 miles
To Portland or the Sound ports. and then
name a blanket rate of 20 cents per b,sshe
fer a50o-mlle haul 10 West .5uperlor!
II Is the opinion Of competent grain men
who deal with the Coas; ports that the
roads discriminate against them by secret
" scaling the 30-cent rate from TO 10 cents.
according 20 varying prizes. and still be
amply paid for the haul. Looking at
the freight rate question from The wheat
mems standpoint IL IL not neces afy 10
see the surplus earnings OF the railroads
Ia know that the present rate Is too high.
The Runner-IaFollett BIZ or M equiva-
lent must he passed. ard every county In
the state should watch how its repres ~
tation votes on the bill. cry ON the
wheat fields Is of enough importance to be
heard even by Legislature. Let the law
makers remember that near.y 10000 pso-
Die are anx.ousiy waiting favorable ac-
ton, and twice as many wish them sue
cess, Yours truly.
WILLIAM A GIIAitlRE