The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1906-12-28
FOR EQUAL FREIGHT RATES
Senator Hepburn Also Intro
duces Gov. Buildings Bill.
/ SH HATCHERY FOR IDAHO
c ngressman French is Pressing
Bill for Passage.

WASHINGTON, D C.-Senator Hey.
burn has introduced bill Ia the
Senate To amend section four Of the
Interstate Commerce Act under
which railroads are being allowed 10
charge more for short than for a
long haul. The bill is as follows:
"Ihat II shall be unlawful for any
common carrier subject to the pro-
visions Of this Act, to charge or re,
ceive any greater compensation for
the transportation Of passengers or of
Ike klnds Of property for shorter
than longer distance over the same
line IN the Same direction, the shorter
being included within the longer
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 compen.
satiun for a shorter than a longer
distance"
Senator HeyOurn's bill represents
the existing controversy between the
shippers of The d dtferent parts of the
country. Under the existing law the
railroads may charge 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 concentrating
an undue proportion of the business
and wealth of the country around the
seaboard, and has drawn the manu-
featuring business largely from the
interior parts of the country, where
they would in many cases be located,
freight advantage being equal. For
instance railroads now charge tU
Boise, Spokane and other inland
points the through rate from points
like Chicago and st. Louis to Seattle,
Tacoma and Portland plus the local
rate from the coast cities back 10
Boise or Spokane. This is merely an
instance Of the injustice being
practlced, and applies equally 10 all
points on both coasts of the United
States. This is done under the
Claim that water competition compels
the railroads Jo give coast points
cheaper rates than they otherwise
would do. Senator Hepburn claims
that there is no Justification for this
argument. .rne present schedules are
especially unjust To The producing
centres Of the country, and deprives
them of the natural advantage Of
their location.
Congressman French has intro
duced a bill 10 Congress that is OF
much Importance and interest to
many persons living in the northern
part OF Idaho. The bill provides for
a class tcation of all lands In that
portion of the State that have not
already been classified as to their be-
ing either mineral or non mineral.
AS many settlers are on these lands,
aud as they are being contested 10
The land office by the railroad, 1t Is
very important that classification
be made as soon as possible.
Senator Hepburn has introduced
bill for the purchase of several blocks
on the south side of Pennsylvania
avenue, between the capitol building
and the White House. The bill pro-
yides that hereafter all government
buildings to be located 10 Washing
ton shall be placed on this property,
together with adjacent properly al
ready in the hands Of the Govern
ment, aud shall be uniform in archl-
lecture and appearance.
Ii will he remembered that Con-
pressman French introduced bill 10
the House during the last session OF
Congress providing for an approprla'
tion of $25, 900 for fish hatchery 10
Idaho. He received a favorable re-
mort on his bill from the Committee
ON Merchant Marine and Fisheries,
to which ii was referred, but the
rush of work IN Congress during the
last session on account of the many
important matters prevented the bill
from being considered. However as
this is part OF the same session o'
Congress, the previous favorable re-