The Delta independent., 1906-10-12
EDITORSPR0TEST
CONF RcE COMMISSIONERS
RULING is CALLED UNFAIR.
Raj ROAD ADS ARE BARRED
Newspaper Men Can Find Nothing in
the Law Warrantins Such An Inter.
probation - Commission Flooded
With "kicks."

probation - Commission Flooded
With "kieks."
Washington.-The recent ruling OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission
to the effect that nothing but money
can be paid for transportation OF
either persons or property" meats
that in future the railroads will be pro
hibited from exchanging transports.
tion for advertising space IN the news
papers of the country.
The ruling has already aroused 4
storm OF protest from the publishers
throughout the country. Every mail
into Washington briggs hundreds OF
letters from newspaper men. all OF
which severely criticise the commits
sion for going out OF its way to hit
,he newspapers" The publishers in.
s;st that there is nothing in the new
law which would in any way forbid
the railroads from purchasing ad.er.
,ising space to be paid for in trans
portation, and that such a ruling is not
only uncalled for by either the letter
or the spirit of the law. bat is uncon'
stitutional as well.
One prominent publisher said day
or two ago:
There is not only nothing in the
new rate law which woIld call for
such u ruling as this from the com
mission, but the ruling is anthEonIsiic
to the national constitution as well
and IL will not be upheld by the courts
The railroads that desir" publicity
through thc medium OF my publication
make advertising contracts with me,
and pay me 70! the space used with
transportation, which Is toe same "a
money to me. as II Is usc1 by myse!
or my employees In connection with my
business The government might with
equal Justice say the merchant should
not give dry goods or any other mar
ketable commodity in exchange for ad'
yertising space. The courts would not
uphold such a ruling as mat for one
| moment. and there is no more reason
why they should uphold this latest or
ration OF the Commerce Commission
for II is equally as uuternblc as ths
proposition between the publisher and
the merchant would be.
Everyone knows that tho railroads
| do. and can afford to. advertise more
heavily when their advertising nc.
counts can be paid for In transpor;a
ton. Nor does this Increased amount
Of advertising affect the interests Of
the general public IN airy way. but
II does assist In making nc prosper
ity OF the American newspapers and
periodicals. The transportation that ia
given to newspapers In exchange FOR
advertising does not affect IN any way
the equitable enforcement of the rate
law nor does II affect In any way the
rates charged the general public for
transportation for either persons or
property. IL Is n benefit to the rail,
roads in that 1t enables them TO do a
greater amount OF Using that
they otherwise could or would do. and
In this way secure greater amount
OF business for their lines and under
a Just Interpretation OF the law this
Increase in business would eventually
lead to reduction OF transportation
charges 20 the general public. II is
an unjust and urcEllcd foI .uling, and
both the publishers and tic railroads
should fight IT."
Tha, publishers are Ggh:ing It. not
only by their protests 20 the commits
sion but by protecting to their repre-
sentativos In both houses o; Congress
| IS proven by the fact tina. already tho
commission iB receiving LOmmuuica.
| tions from Iaany senators and con
grcssmcn In which theso representa-
tives OF the people declare they had
no intention OF passing law that
would affect tho newspapers In this
| way. and that there is no'hinC in the
| now law which calls Tor such ruling
on the part OF the commission.