Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-24
RATE DISCRIMINA
HOW IT Is PRACTICED IN WIS
CONSIN.
Allegations That Tariffs in That State
Are Higher Than Charged by Same
Companies in Illinois.

A recent article In your paper in relation
to the politics Of this state contained some
Inaccuracies in the reports upon which 1t
was based
At the last session Of our legislature rail-
road taxation was placed upon the ad
valorem basis the same as in the case of
all other property, and there IS no DISPOSE
ton on the part Of anyone to go beyond
this: but the people Of the state do de-
mand that freight rates shall be reduced
to reasonable scale of charges, the same
as In surrounding states.
1t has been found from a thorough exam
nation Of the latest tariffs published by
the railway companies that rates in Wis
consin are from 20 to 20 per cent higher
than those charged by the same companies
for substantially similar services rendered
in Illinois. Iowa and Minnesota. These COM
PARSONS have been made by number OF
persons. including myself. acting independ-
emily of one another. and the results
carefully checked. when the percentages
obtained from such mass of figures as
were used have been found to vary only
in the fractions the integral decimals-f l
may use that expression-agreeing in every
case. Carrying the comparisons further.
by taking schedules of rates in other states
as a basis. the results are even more
astounding. I have found that eastbound
rates on wheat; barley corn: oats, rye we:
nearly twice as high in Wisconsin as in
the lower peninsula of Michigan.
While there has been a large reduction
in rates throughout the greater part of
the country during the last two decades,
due to the proportiOnate decrease in Oper-
ating expenses. there has been an actual
increase in Wisconsin on many important
commodities. In 1885 the Department Of
Agriculture published schedules Of rates on
the leading agricultural products of tho
country. showing charges made by the
railroad companies to the principal ter
minal markets, and by comparing those
printed for Wisconsin with the rates now
in effect it will be found that there has
been a material increase in nearly every
instance, ranging as high as cents per
hundred pounds These statements may
acquainted with the situation. but the fig
ures can be readily furnished on applica-
ton. with the numbers Of the tariffs from
which they were obtained.
Gov. La Toilette In a special message to
the legislature called attention to the eX-
traordinary discrimination practiCed against
Wisconsin by the railroad companies. and
supported his statements with a long array
of comparisons. which the lobbyists and
corporation press at once asserted to be
false. l have, however. taken the pains
to check them over myself. figure by figure.
and except for some unimportant errors
which do not affect the result. l can make
affidavit to their entire correctness.
exploitation on the part of the railroad
companies. but the time Is not far dis
tant when justice must re done to the
people of the state. Alt ugh the bill to
establish commission til power to re-
wise rates was defeated in the last legs-
lature. the subject will be made the lead
ing issue in 1904, and there can be little
doubt to the outcome.
Gov. La Toilette has been the object Of
q bitter attack by the creatures OF the
public-service corporations. but the great
mass of voters are back of him and will
render efficient support until the day when
his work ls accomplished. AT the last
republican convention Gov La Toilette was
renominated on the first ballot by a two
thirds vote. and although cut on cleo
ton day by nearly the whole of the So
called "stalwart' faction. he received suf-
fioient votes from the other parties to elect
him by 1900 plurality. In view of these
facts. does 1t seem likely that Representa-
tive Babcock will be able to turn the state
against him?
AS shrewdly intimated by your Journal
the stalwarts are striving to create dis
sension between the supporters of the gov
ernor and those of Senator Quarles, for
the reason that the friends of both in
the rank and file OF the party are prac-
tically the same: In this. however. they
will be disappointed Gov. La Toilette
knows very well that the people do not
desire to elevate him to the Senate, for
the reason that he Is needed in Wisconsin
to complete the work which he has begun:
while the feeling seems to be pretty gen.
eral that Senator Quarles merits re-elec-
ton to the high Office which he has filled
with such credit both to the state and to
the nation. In all matters affecting public
policy, such effective government con-
troll of transportation. Senator Quarles has
taken the same broad ground as Gov. La
Toilette. working always with the welfare
of the people at heart. In the interest of
legislation advocated by the leading COM
nercial and industrial associations of the
country l have had occasion to follow his
course closely and critically and, in my
judgment and that of my associates. it has
been at all times consistent with the best
interests of the whole people. In the last
campaign Senator Quarles speeches were
confined almost entirely to national issues
as was proper. but he referred cordially
to the governor and has never manifested
the least hostility to him. At the conclu-
sion of the next campaign it will be found
In all likelihood that Gov. La Toilette has
been chosen for third term. with legis-
lature pledged to reform and to the re-
election of Senator QuarleS.
CLAUDE A. UPPER.
Milwaukee. June 20, 1903.