Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-09-07
FACTS ARE STRANGER THAN FIcrIos
A Plain Talk on Corrective Matters Favorable to
the People

EDITOR CENSOR: As evidence that
the railroads discriminate in favor of the
foreign shipper ] refer to the present
dispute between the millers and the
railroads. How oblivious Of their obli-
cations as common carriers and how re-
CARELESS of public rights are the rail-
roads, is illustrated by their making an
agreement with the beef trust, also the
Standard Oil company, to protect them
against loss or injury from COMPETE
ton. What has happened in the case
of these companies, is being extended ttl
other lines of business. Witc the favo.
OF the railroad officials that is to prevent
commerce in the rest of the great staples
from being monopolized in simtier
manner2 Already, indeed, 1t is taking
thSs course A few firma in the east,
with their branch hor >~ in the west.
are, by the favors Of the railroads, fast
monopolizing the export trade OF wheat,
corn, cattle and provisions driving their
competitors to the wall with absolute
certainty, breaking down and crushing
out the energy and enterprise OF the
many for the benefit of the favored few.
Hence the need of commissioners TO
checkmate this arrangement" Rail-
| road attorneys admit that such things
wrong, that they are opposed to public
| policy and private morality. Ask rail-
road lawyer remedy and he will tell you
"a pool, with legislation to enable one
railroad company to enforce agreements
made with another company. He Is
certain that any legislation or supervls-
ion in the interest of the masses would
not only be imperative but probably
unconstitutional, and certainly harmful.
He will cite as to the Potter law, which
was afterwards repealed, but he forgets
| TO state that this law was purposely
misconstrued by his company, and in
stead acquiescing in and carrying them
out in good faith, his company made 1t
as troublesome as possible to the people
in order that they might create a re-
action in public opinion, and with the
use of money in both elections and the
lobby, and last but not least bride the
press to wnitewash and pettifog for
them secured its repeal He forgets to
/ tell us that, whenever this result has
been attained 1t was accomplished only
after his company mad conceded mater
ial reforms fer which the people had
commended for. He does not mention
| the fact that the decision of the supreme
court of the United States in the Potter
case, established beyond ~Testion the
very principles for which r. Nj. La Fol-
lette stands today. Also that that de-
cision sweeps to the four winds the So
phistries which he and subservient
press are spinning in their efforts to de-
feat the win of the people. The learned
counsel does not mention the fact that
those who are directing the fight against
La Toilette are equally strenuous in
their efforts TO defeat legislation thst
! will give force TO the interstate CON-
MERGE LAY
A we'll known railroad lawyer in his
arguments against state supervision and
control of rates, and in favor of the
merging system now so much in vogue,
stated, in almost the same breath, that
the merging system wonid remove the
Determinations and other evils of which
the people complained and that CON-
petition would insure reasonable rates
TO all with favors to none seemingly
forgetfu. that merging is expressed to
prevent competition. What Is reason
able rate2 IL left entirely TO railroad
officials TO decide, Is leaves the produc-
ton and commerce of the state wholly
at the mercy of few men who recog-
nize no responsibility but TO their stock
holders and no principle of action but
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. Fence the
. need of commissioners.
| This transportation question ia a ques-
ton that must be solved, and laws
en- cted that will insure equal rates to
all. Ideas are like wheel barrow, OF
not much use unless there is someone to
push. r. M. La Follsste has pushed his
to the front AMI now stands on the fir.
ing line. Comrades, call on you to as.
sert your rights and help TO re-elece La
Toilette aud an honest Legislature
ERNEygT Z. SMELL,
| Norway Ridge, Monroe county, Aug. 20
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