Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-21
The Fight Is On.

up and give her assistance to the hght
which the Chamber of Commerce is
waging against the discrimination Of
freight rates in the Inland Empire. II
is of vital interest to our people and
we should do all in our power to bring
the matter before the railroad com.
missron. We quote the following from
the Outburst:
One of the merriest fights for COM
mercial supremacy that has ever taken
place in the Pacific Northwest, is the
one now engaged in by Spokane,
against the coast cities. Pitted against
her are San Francisco, Portland. Ia.
coma, and Seattle and the combined
influence Of the trans-continental rail.
roads. Spokane knows she is entitled
to, and is now preparing her case be-
fore the interstate commerce commits
sion for "a square DEAL" For years
the cities have enjoyed an unfair ad-
vantage over Spokane by reason of the
discriminating freight rates that the
railroads have compelled her to pay in
excess of the just carriage rate made
to the coast cities. The railroads have
attempted to excuse their partiality to
the coast cities on the ground of water
competition. There is, as a matter of
fact, no reason why Spokane should not
be given at least the same rate fixed
for the terminals. Indeed, there is no
justice in the excuse of the railroad
companies or justification in the plea
of the coast cities for the unfair rate
which Spokane distributors and con-
sumers are compelled to pay.
1t is well understood of course that
this is bat1le for trade, that it is
largely question of dollars and cents
to the cities named, and if by diplo-
matte practices the enemies of Spokane
are able to override the laws of justice,
she will have herself to blame. The
coast cities know of the untold millions
Of wealth of the Inland Empire, and
are determined to draw as much as
much as possible of its riches to them
selves. Spokane has lately joined her
fortunes with the coast and to the
thriving cities of the Northwest for the
promotion of their common interests
and there are those who believe that
the coast cities should keep faith with
Spokane in her righteous demand be-
fore the interstate commerce commits
sion for square deal. They believe
that the friend who bestows substantial
favors upon another in time of need,
may reasonably expect the one thus
favored to be friend in court. But
the rank and file of the broad minded
business men of the Inland Empire,
recognize the resistance of the coast
cities as mere incident in the great
work of exploiting the magnificent re-
sources of the Northwest. They are
broad of mind and big of heart, and in
stead of halting in their onward march
at this rebuff of the sister cities, have
quickened their pace and are hurrying
onward to the building of an unparalleled
prosperity for the Northwest.
Allied with Spokane in this great on
ward movement are the progressive
men of Colfax, Pullman, Moscow, Lew
iston, Walla Walla, Genessee, Clark
ston, Asotin, Pomeroy, Waitsburg,
Davenport, Prosser. North Yakima.
Ritzville, Colville, Odessa, Conconully,
Northport, Wenatchee, Harrington,
Newport, Occur d. Alene, Rosalia,
Garfield, Oakesdale, Lind, Palouse, and
other thriving wide awake Inland En-
pire towns, and since Justice is pre-
sumed to have the permapent abode in
courts we may rely upon her to be our