Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-06-17

NgAMAAN AAAAA8 Va &AAA 49,
vELoPMENT LEAGUE AND OF THE
WILLAMETTE VALLEY DEVELOP.
MENT LEAGUE:
II IL neither the desire nor the inten-
ton Of this committee TO make any un-
just attack upon corporations or trans
portation companies. We fully recog-
nize that in this age railroads are a
vital and essential factor in our coun-
try's development, and we favor rea.
sonable encouragement, and equitable
regulation Of their rates and operation.
The people of Oregon have invariably
treated corporations with fairness and
liberality, and capital invested in
them has been at all times accorded
complete and impartial protection Of
our laws. No state in the Union has
been more liberal in it's treatment Of
railroads.
YOUR COMMITTEE BELIEVES
THE TIME HAS NOW COME WHEN
THERE SHOULD BE A DEMAND IN
RETURN THAT THE STATE AND
IT'S COMMERCIAL AND INDUS
TRIAL INTERESTS BE TREATED
IN THE SAME SPIRIT OF LIBER-
Atty AND FAIRNESS BY THE
RAILROAD MANAGERS.
The Record Of Oregon.
This state has never enacted any so.
called drastic legislation against the
transportation companies.
On the other hand IL is assessing
their lands, rights Of way and rolling
stock upon less valuation than any
state in the West.
There is no Law in Oregon taxing their
franchises or gross or net earnings,
as in many other states.
Ten years ago this state repealed its
railroad commission law, and has en-.
acted no rate legislation
This state has wen made IL unlawful
TO deal In cut.rate tickets or TO dis
pose Of unused transportation other
than to the corporations.
We have left the power TO fix freight
and passenger fares and the Legitimate
work Of extending their lines 10 meet
the needs Of the country entirely in
the hands Of these corporations, trust
ing to them to treat the people with
fairness and equity.
Justice 70 the Railroads.
In a spirit Of justice we give credit
for all that has been done by the rail
roads for the benefit Of the state. I'm
der the administration Of G. II. Mark
ham many industries were favored aud
established in Oregon. The industrial
departments Of the roads have co
operated with the people, and promot-
Cd production Of fruit and dairy pro-
duets. Mr., Markham's successors have
souRht TO maintain policies Of develop
ment, but have either been overrulee
In their decisions or have lacked the
authority 10 initiate so that the move
ment toward lower rates and extension
Of markets for Oregon products has
recently made little progress.
This state Is indebted to the rail.
roads for reducing passenger fares to
three cents per mile on their main
lines, and for securing low rates to
che Lewis and Clark Fair, and TO many
state and local gatherings. FOR ALL
THESE ADVANTAGES THE PUB
LILO Is DULY GRATEFUL. AND
JUSTLY BELIEVES THAT EACH
CONCESSION RESULTED IN
GOOD ALIKE TO THE STATE AND
TINE RAILROAD MAKING 1T.
Justice TO the People.
We believe that railway corpora,
lions are creatures Of the state, pos.
sessing valuable franchises which
have come from the people as a gift,
as well as vast grants Of public lands
always becoming more valuable by
action of congress, and that they owe
a duty TO the people which they have
MOI fully performed.
A duty to the state OF Oregon Is
incumbent upon them which grows out
OF their occupancy Of its territory
under priceless franchises given them,
bestowed aud ~inalienable, and such
duty can only DO performed to the peo-
pie Of the state by assumption on the
part OF tho companies Of their full
share In the development Of this terri.
tory. THIS GAN BE DONE BY Elk
PENDING A PORTION OF THEIR
EARNINGS WITHIN THE STATE
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF SUCH
LINES AND ExTENsIoNs
as WILL NOT oNL YREEET THE
NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE, BUT AS