The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-09-14
Mr.. Frink'S Position.

MPs FPlUh KOSltlOus
The charge is being advanced by OPP
posing politicians that Hon. J. NJ.
Frink, republican nominee for Cover
nor, is unfriendly to the interests of
the farming communities of Eastern
Washington. These reiterations led
Hon. John w. Arrasmith to address
the following letter to Mr.. Frink, and
his reply follows. Mr.. Frink's reputs-
ton as man OF his word is unsurpas-
sed, and all who know him have impli-
cit faith in what he may say upon any
question, public or private:
CoLFAx, Wash, Aug. l, 1900.
Hon. J. NJ. Frink, Seattle, Wash
My Dear Sir: The farmers of Eastern
Washington have been for years, and
are now, anxious to secure some rea-
sonable adjustment of freight rate up
on farm products. They have in the
past sought relief in urging the legis-
lature enactment of maximum rate
laws, but the poor results OF these eff
forts have convinced many of us that
the real remedy lies in an appointive
railroad commission.
Your nomination by the recent re-
publican state convention for the Of
flee of governor has naturally aroused
much interest, and occasioned some
discussion as to your views of that
question
Having served with you in the legis-
lature of this state and there learned
to reply upon your word, l take it up
on myself to address you this letter
and ask you to define in your reply
your attitude upon the subject.
know that when you and l were to-
gether in the legislative session of 1898,
you supported the freight rate measure
known as the Anderson bill, but l am
anxious to know your present attitude
as bearing upon your present action in
the premises if elected governor. /
am, respectfully yours,
J. w. ARRAsAuTH.
SEATTLE, Washington, August %,
19OO.-Hon. J. w. Arrasmith, Colfax,
Washington.-My Dear Sir: l am in
receipt of your letter OF the 18th inst.
In reply would say: 1 am heartily
in sympathy with you and your people
in Eastern Washington in your desire
for just and equitable reduction of
the present freight rates. 1t is my
judgment after mature deliberation,
and watching the effects of railway
legislation in other states, that the
best way to arrive at proper solution
of this matter, which will do justice to
all parties and sections concerned is
through railroad commission.
Every legislature convened has had
this matter under consideration, and
with the exception of the freight rate
bill known as the Anderson bill, pas
sed by the legislature of 1893, no rsil-
way legislation has been passed. This
is owing largely to local and conflict
ing interests. The creation of a rail-
way commission, to whom all these
matters could be referred, would, in
my opinion, bring about freight rate
reduction satisfactory to all parties
concerned.
II am elected governor of this state
and the legislature, in its wisdom,
should pass an act creating such a
commission, 1t will have my immedi-
ate approval, and if the duty of APP
pointment devolves upoh me, 1 pro-
mise you that such appointment would
be made solely on the basis to merit
and qualification. No appointment
would be made for the purpose Of COM
pensating political workers or paying
campaign debts.
Hoping that / have made myself
clearin this matter, remain, SINGER
ally yours, ]. M. FR1NK.
nr1fo~ Go.okko