The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1901-01-25
THB COMMISSION BILL
Senate Committee Promptly and
FayOrably Reported 1t.
Whitman County Men Who Are
Strenuously Working to
Make 1t a Law.

Olympia, Wash, Jan. 22.-Editor Ga
zette: The Preston railway commission
bill will come I'D for final action by the
senate on Wednesday next. This is a
measure OF far reaching Importance to
the shippers of Eastern WASHINGTON
and that it is presented in the interest
of the people as against the extortion-
ate, discriminating and unfair methods
and rates imposed by transportation
companies is attested by the presence of
an energetic and persuasive railroad
lobby now at the capitol, exerting every
means to prevent its passage.
The prompt action of the committee
on railroads and transportation in Civ
ing this bill favorable consideration has
caused surprise and uneasiness to the
railroad push"
Senator Preston, of Seattle, the
author of the measure, is q LAWYER of
ability and reputation and is said to be
a hard fighter. 1t will be ably seconded
by the other members of the committee.
notably by Senator Hall of Whitman
county. BY the way, Senator Halls
constituents are fortunate in having a.
man OF his influence and standing at the
capital to represent them in the legisla-
ture at this time. He is the only mem
Der from Whitman county who is in q
position to accomplish anything-Mr.
Durham being handicapped by having
his seat contested and the democratic
members being with the hopeless mi
nOrity.
The railroad lobby is not having it
entirely its own way. Mr.. J. W. ARA
smith is among the conspicuous friends
of the commission bill now at Olympia.
If this bill becomes law it will be due
IN a large measure to the strenuous
efforts OF Senator Hall and Mr.. ARA
smith, and the people OF Whitman
county should give these men credit for
their good work.
| see that the Spokesman Review calls
the commission bill "Wilson machine
measure. The element of truth in that
charge is that the political enemies of
John l.. Wilson are opposed, almost to
a man, to the enactment of railroad
legislation which would afford the ship
pers any material benefit. The railroad
lobbyists are using the Reviews argu-
ment, or, to be more precise, the Review
is vOicing the argument of the subsi-
died railroad "heelers."
In all probability John L. Wilson has
no more to do with this bill than have |,
but it would not be inconsistent with his
record for him to favor such legislation.
The people of Whitman county will re-
member, or ought to remember, the
splendid fight he made in congress to
save the homes of the lieu-landers. The
Northern Pacific has never quite for
given Wilson for that.
There will be pretty "mix-up" over
the re-apportionment bill. King, Spo-
kane and SnOhomish counties will make
a stand for increased representation, to
which they are in reality entitled. But
Pierce county, always jealous of Seattle,
will probably form a combination with
the smaller counties to defeat such a
measure. Whitman county's represen-
tatiOn will remain unchanged.
The division of the state into con-
gressional districts is also apt to cause
some dssenson - no two legislators
seeming to agree as to the boundaries of
any proposed district.
Senator L. c. Crow has introduced a
bill for an appropriation to construct a
fish way at the falls of-thes Palouse river.
This will permit the salmon to run up
the Palouse and it's tributaries.
" r HARGRAyE