The Cairo bulletin., 1905-01-24
RAILROAD RATES IN ILLINOIS.


For several years there have been
complaints from Illinois manufactur-
ers and shippers that the freight
rates within this state are much high.
err than those in Indiana and Ohio.
Two years ago after a specially Wig
|orous. protest from certain organiza,
unns,of shippers the railroad and
warehouse commission ordered re.
duction'of rs per cent on class rates
for distances up to $50 miles and a
general reduction on chlrgas for
greater distanceE This was done af
ter it had been shown that freight
rates n Illinois were often so per
cent higher than those of Iowa and
much higher han those In Indiana.
For some reason this reduction in
Illinois rates which was voted March
II, 1903, was never put in operation.
Meanwhile complaints Of unfair rates
in the state have continued and reso.
lutions. for an investigation of the
comnnssion are before the legislature.
On general principles Of equity Hi
nois shippers are entitled TO as low
freight rate as are the shippers or In.
diana or Iowa. If the railroads in the
two latter states can carry merchan.
disc for a certain price it is fair to in
fer that the roads of this state can
perform a similar service for the
SO ne price. But there is still another
reason why freight rates in Illinois
should bear closer relation to those
in contiguous states.
There are many points in Illinois
which are as near GER ain manufac
turing concerns in Indiana and Iowa
as they are to competing industries
In this state. For this reason the
merchandise which Is shipped into
the state by the Iowa or Indiana man.
ufac urer is carried over part of the
distance at lower rates than Is the
of the Illinois manufac
turer. II shipments from Indiana or
Iowa are transported 100 miles In
either Of those states and fifty or 100
miles in Illinois they reach the pur
chaser al less cost for transportation
than does the shipment which is car
riel the same number of miles entire.
ly in this state This is ain unfair
discrimination in railroad charges
which the Illinois shipper should not
be compelled TO pay.
II is in the power of the railroad
and wareheiists commission 10 correct
discrepancies which are clearly to the
ietrimept 5fti manufacturers of
this state. While congress is al
to solve the problem of In.
-erstate commerce Illinois should
-ake ~ the problem of it's own inter
nal freigh charges. especially when
hey are so much higher than the
rates. in continuous states that they
Jetome an Incubus TO business men
within this commonwealth. High
freight rates in Illinois are equivalent
10 paying rebate to the manufac-
urers in Indiana and Iowa. This was
not the purpose OF Illinoisans when
they made provisions in their constt /
Iutisn for the regulation OF freight 1
charges.
Another reason for action by the |
railroad and warehouse commission !
Is that the maximum freigh rate
schedule for Illinois was fixed about |
twenty-five years ago and has not been
altered since. While it is true that
rates have been reduced from time 10 /
time. yet the reduction has beer Who'll. /
ly op'icnal with the railroads. The 1
state law fixing the maximum to be /
charged has Femainedsunchanged for /
quarter of a century. 1t is time that
It was revised, modernized and
brodgls Down to Chicago Tri. !
bunc.