Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-10-08
OUR LETTER BOX.


| article on tainted money received from the
sale Of tonnage to transportation lines at
less than published tariff rates, or what is
called rebates. At present the accepting Of
rebates is prohibited by law and the PEN
atty is fine or imprisonment, or both
Only recently four employees Of a packing
firm were hned $4,000 for selling tonnage
OF the firm TO transportation lines below
the published tariff rates While these en-
ployes may have violated a law. they did
so believing such law was unjust. unlaw-
full and unconstitutional also against the
laws Of trade and prohibiting all compe-
| tition.
The sale of tonnage has always been
| considered honest, even when the commerce
| OF the world was carried on the backs OF
animals. For centuries the water ways
carved the bulk Of the worlds tonnage
which was a source Of much profit. Our
merchants bought their merchandise in the
various markets Of the world and sold
their tonnage at a profit under tariff rates
Our people also sod their products in the
markets Of the world and realized profits
This large commerce between the markets
| OF the world built up large cities on the
ocean and gulf coasts, the water routes
also controlled interior shipping until the
coming Of the railroad, but before its ar
| hlelilDulilB pOlNlh ndQ Deen
built on the lakes and rivers controlling
interior business. The railroads commenced
to build from the coast and neglected to
build their lines TO isolated places OF to
what was known as the great American
desert but pointed directly to the cities
and distributing centers having tonnage
to ofrer which was readily -rsAen by the.
railroads at profit TO the seller, and the
selling OF tonnage TO transportation lines
was considered honest until a few years
ago congress passed law making the sale
of tonnage to transportation lines Cat less
than published tariff rates) a crime pun
ishable by a fine or Imprisonment, or
both.
If the selling Of tonnage is a crime the
selling OF all merchandise at a profit is
crime, II the courts have sustained the
law prohibiting the sale of tonnage under
regular tariff rates. do not believe The
facts were properly presented, and believe
II properly presented this obnoxious law
would be repealed. believe the people
need maximum rate law based on present
rates, to all sections as these rates seem
IN the main satisfactory. and their adop-
ton would not disturb the trade relations
existing between the sections. Make IL per
mlssable for transportation lines to- lower
the rates but not to raise them, appoint a
commission OF five to make necessary
changes when absolutely needed, and that
transportation lines be compelled to place
changes in effect as soon as ordered A law
OF this kind would make honest and
healthy competition and stability of rates
and give NOR confidence to the business in
4 terests OF the entire country. At the
present time there Is no competition in
rates, as the government tells you to nay
| tariff rates and ~
and prison are possible. 1t does not seem
a good law to put stop to all competi-
ton, but our present law does and further
has had tendency to make criminals OF
many honest men.
How many men and firms having tom
mage to offsr since the present law be-
came effective are entirely innocent? do
not believe that 8 percent OF all hay-
ing tonnage for sale can prove that
they have not violated the law, and do
not believe single line of railroad can
prove it has not violated the law in some
manner. SO II the government intends to
do justice 1t must proceed against all busi-
ness firms without respect as to their bust
ness and very few will be found entirely
guiltless.
Nebraska needs the lowering OF freights
and passenger rates The Iowa distance
tarin would be about right for Nebraska.
The local Iowa rates are from 80 to 100 per
cent less than rates in Nebraska Iowa
had about the same population when it's
distance tariff was passed and the various
roads paid out a world of money 70 de-
feat the passage of the law, claiming Il
would bankrupt all roads within the STATE.
But the roads have prospered and the law
has proved great success to the peopIe
and alo to the railroads.
All business firms throughout the United
States understands the value of tonnage.
When the government will permit whole
some and legitimate competition in pas
senger and freight rates and permit tom
mage to be sold at the best price obtaInable
; Our people some day will elect a congress
! that will pass more laws favorable n
them and less to railroads. but Just TO all.
For the United States we need a maxi
! mum rate law that win permit of rates
being lowered but not raised, giving
all our people and the railroads honest and
Just competition which are barred by bad
laws, choking all competition. The people
have It in their power 70 elect to cohRress
those that win pass laws favorable N
them and also do justice to all. Yours
truly. H N JEUE1rrr
Railroads Here ana in Germany.
OMAHA, Oct. ITO the Editor of The
Bee: 1t is In accord with the eternal fitness
Of things to note the effort OF the general
Tattorney OF the burlington to stray from
the main matter under examination. viz
whether state managed railroads In Eu-
rope were superior to similar lines In Ne
braslza
Having resided in Germany for nearly
two years and having Travelled ON their
lines whereas MI. Henderson may not
have been two weeks there, his views i
summer tourist should be taken for
what they are worth, judging the oppor-
tunities afforded by brief vision Of RAN
way matters from the windows OF an 81.
eursion train. This, however, is beside
the question, and. roughly speaking. n we
, compare the two systems this is what we
: find:
In Germany greater care for human life
; ana less employees MANNED and crippIed
In Germany pensions, graduated accord.
, ing to years OF service. On the Burlington
! IN Nebraska as soon as It has squeezed
rnwnrs.