Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-03-22

passengers and freights at just and
reasonable rates under which the
farmer and the industries could live,
the state had a right to enact just
and reasonable rates by law. No pow
err could defeat this, and the recent
decision of the supreme court that
mergers were unlawful settled the
power Of the government in that re-
spect. Oregon had gone a step far
Their than most states in repeating its
commission law and had relied on the
railroad managers for fair treatment,
and the people had no complaint to
make until last fall when the car
shortag grew too restrictive on all
business, and the lumber rates that
went into effect in January really had
Frustrated the sawmills Of the inter
ior of the state in a manne that was
ruinous to their business and prop
erty.
Liberal Policies Prevailed.
For many years liberal policies had
prevailed on the part OF the Southern
Pacific and other railroads operating
in Western Oregon, The hrst steps
were taken by Traffic Manager c. H.
Markham, and his splendid work in
developing our industries was ably fol-
lowed up by Trafic Managers Miller
and Conan. the present managers Of
freight on Oregon lines Of the s. p.
Co. These gentlemen had. by estab-
fishing an industrial department, and
by meeting the demands OF the COM
munities and by establishing new in
dustries, developed business and made
the operation Of these railroad lines
very popular and profitable. The
Portland officials had done their ut
most to c favorable rates for the
interior and we're in TO way to blame
for the car shortage o for the ad-
vance in lumber rates. In fact, the
speaker had positive knowledge that
they had done all in their power TO
avert the establishment Of such rates,
but that they had been overruled by
higher authority and the rate was eS
tablished against the protest Of the
largest shippers.
The Car Shortage.
The speaker read extracts from
shippers and mill men to the Salem
Commercial Club, Of which he was
president. showing that the car short
age was a standing complaint In the
fall shipping season for the past hye
or six years, and that many produce
shippers and Touring mills had been
compelled to withdraw from the best
markets on account Of failure to get
cars. Was this good railroading? Did
not the producer finally have 70 stand
the loss7 Was not the shipper and
the producer entitled 10 have the ben
eft OF access to the best market? Wa
there no way to protect the shipper
against such losses, which according
10 their own statements. by the score,
from $50 up 70 $4,000. in sin
gle instances in absolute loss Of es-
tablished trade in many %instancesg
He reviewed the efforts OF members
Df the legislature TO get consideration
Tor a bin 70 remedy the car shortage
and their failure. A Portland news
paper had shown for months the ter
rible losses Of the shippers from car
shortage. and on the day the bin came
lp for passage il called the al short
lge a mere bugaboO. Another Port
and newspaper absolutely champion
ID the advance in lumber rates as
right
The saWmllls Paralyzed.
There had been a depression Ia
business the past year and s-
OF this came the ear shortage in
he fan, cutting down the supply Of
,ars from. where 10 were needed 70
me or two cars per day. From Au-
gust 10 November the situation got
The car shortage has praetL
ally ruined some Of the best sawmills
the state. They we're compelled
o close down their mills and logging
Their trade is gone. Their
,0ntacts could not be fulfilled They
ost the good win Of their customers,