The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-02-20
THE FIGHT FOR RATES.

THE FIGHT FOR RATES.
If the state of Kansas means to reg
ulate freight rates and to correct UNI
just and discriminating tariffs, the
senate should pass what is known as
the Carver bill. which came to that
body with the. unanimous approval of
the house.
If the state does not mean to reg
ulate freight rates. il it intends to go
on in the future as it has in the past
and permit the railroads to conduct
freight matters under their own sweet
will. the legislature will pass what is
known as the Smith bill.
In fact, the Smith bill puts the state,
so far as freight interests are concern
ed. in worse shape than at present
The Smith bin is weaker and not so
good as the present railroad laSv-
It is an easy matter for railway
employees and railway interests to in
timidate shippers and that is just what
has been done in Topeka today. Job
bers are given to understand that they
are likely to lose what favorable rates
they have if they persist in supporting
the railroad bill which really regu-
Iates.
This thing should be clearly re-
membered: The rates charged in Kan
sas by railroads between many locali-
ties are from two to three times rates
charged through Missouri, Iowa, Ne
braska. Illinois. Texas and other states.
Why should freight rates be doubled
and tripled when freight for Kansas
passes the Missouri river?
To Senator Belts. and other sera-
tors: If you. are in your present posi-
ton to do what the railroads want you
to do, vote for the Smith bill. If you
are in your present position to help
the Kansas public secure fair and
reasonable rates and charges that are
not discriminating, you will vote for
the Carver bill.
The Carver bill is not going to do
injustice to the railroads, but if car
ried out it will compel the railroads
to do justice to the people. Other
states are regulating freight rates.
Let Kansas get into line
The jobbers OF this town only ask for
fair treatment and they need not be
afraid, if this Carver bill pass, that
they will not get fair treatment, the
railroad companies Notwithstanding.
Neither need the railroads themselves
fear the bill. The bill is to secure jus
tice for both sides. The rankest injus-
tice now often prevails against the
shipper or receiver of freight. The facts
show this. Double and triple rates
west of the Missouri river prove this.
Here is quotation:
"As a railroad man have for years
preached to the railroad managers
the doctrine of consideration of the
rights of the people. have told them
that they should stop any attempts to
manipulate politics and legislation,
and should not oppose reasonable eff
forts at reforms and rational govern
ment supervision
Some railroad men of my acquaint-
ance think an attempt to introduce
government supervision of rates is a
and meddlesome impertin-
enee- They resent it, and announce
their intention to light the movement to
the last ditch. But that is absurd in
this day and generation. These mon
are behind the times In many states
boards of railroad commissioners fix
the rates and the roads comply with
their DEGREES.
THE president does not wish to work |
any injustice to the railroad industry |
He is not engaged in a hue and cry |
against corporations. But he is right, |
right, in his declaration that |
reforms of method are needed, and |
they are needed as much by the rail- |
roads themselves as by the people Ny |
experience has shown me that the most |
harm done to the railroads in this coun- |
try is done by themselves"
Who used these words? Some enemy |
of the railroads? Some agitator? No
NO less a person that Paul Morton of |
the Santa Fe. He knows that freight
regulation is coming and is right and
necessary.