Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-12-22
TO EQyALIzE
FREIGHT RATE
Special Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Dec. Ex-senator
Hepburn has introduced q bill inthe
senate to amend section four of the
inter state commerce act under which
railroads are being allowed to charge
more for short than for long haul
The bin is as follows:
"That 1t shall be unlawful for any
common carrier subject to the provis-
ions Of this act, to charge or receive
any greater compensation for the
transportation Of passengers or for
like kinds Of property for shorter
than for longer distance over the
same line in the same direction, the
shorter being included within the long,
er distance; but this shall not be con-
strued as authorizing any common
carrier within the terms Of this act to
charge or receive as great compensa-
ton for shorter than for a longer
distance"
10 Of Vast Importance.
Tis bill is of the utmost Importance
to the people Of the entire country.
In fact is second in Importance only to
the great railroad rate bill that was
given such prolonged consideration In
the last session Of congress last spring
No other question before the country
at this time means SO much to the
whole interior Of the United States,
and no other section OF the United
States IL more vitality interested than
the state OF Idaho.
Senator Heyburn's bill represents
the existing controversy between the
shippers OF the different parts Of the
country. Under the existing laws the
railroads may charge a greater rate
to intervening points than Is charged
to terminal points on the same line.
and under similar conditions. This,
of course. has resulted in concentrate
ing an undue proportion Of the bust
ness and wealth Of the country around
the seaboard. and has drawn the
manufacturing business largely from
the interior parts Of the country.
where n many. cases be located,
freight advantages being equal.
How II AsFscts the West.
For instance. railroads now charge
to Boise. Spokane and other inland
points the through rate from points
like Chicago and st. Louis to seattele.
Tacoma and Portland plus the local
rate from the coast cities back to
Boise or Spokane This is merely an
instance Of the injustice being prac-
ticed. and applies equally to all points
on both coasts OF the United states.
OF course, this is done under he claim
that water competition compels the
railroads to give coast points cheaper
rates than they otherwise would do.
Senator Hepburn claims that there is
no justification for the argument. The
present schedules are especially unjust
to the producing centers Of the coun-
Try and deprives them Of the natura,
advantages Of their location.
Hepburn Working Hard.
Senator Hepburn brought this mat
ter to the attention Of congress last
spring, but on account OF his extend
ed illness was unable to push it to a
successful issue. He has taken It up
again and evidently intends to do his
best to have his bill enacted into a
law.
The rate bill settled the question Of
discrimination between persons in the
same place. 1t made rebates unlaw-
ful and imposed penalty for a VIOLA
ton Of the act. But the rate bin
made no provision for discrimination,
between firm in Boise Of Spokane
and the coast. This Is what Senator
Hovhnry1 Il fryir<, a.