The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1906-10-04
EDITORS ENTER PROTEST.
They Cali Recent Ruling Of Com
meree Commission Unfair.
Declare Nothing In Railroad Rate
Law Forhids Exchanging Adj
verusinE for Transportation.

Washington.-The recent ruling OF
the Interstate commerce commission
to the effct that nothing but money
can be paid for transportation Of
esther passengers or property means
that In future the railroads will be
prohibited from exchanging transpor-
taton for advertising space In the
nwspapers of the country.
The ruling has already aroused a
storm Of protest from the publishers
throughout the country. Every mail
into Washington brings hundreds Of
letters from newspaper men all Of
which severely criticise the commits
sion for going out of It's way to hit
the newspapers The publishers in
sist that there is nothing in the new
law which would in any way forbid
the railroad men from purchasing al
vertising space 20 be paid for in trans
%portauon, and that such a ruling is
not only uncalled for by either the
letter or the spirit Of the law, but is
unconstitutional as well
One prominent publisher said a day
or two ago:
There Is not only nothing IN the
new rate law which would call for
such a ruling as this from the com
mission. but the ruling Is antagonisuc
10 the national constitution as well.
and 1t viii not be uphld by the
courts. The railroads that desire pub
hcity through the medium OF MY pub
LEGATION make advertising contracts
with me, and pay me for the space
used with transportation which Is the
same as money to me as it is used by
myself or employees in connection
with my business. The governmnt
might with equal justice say the mer.
chant could not give dry goods or
any other marketable commodity in
exchange for advertising space. The
courts would not uphold such a ruling
as that for one moment. and there Is
no o cas- why they should up
hold this latest erration Of the com
merce commission for IL Is equally as
u%ntenable as the proposition between
the publisher and the merchant would
be.
Everyone knows that the railroads
do. and can afford 20. advertise more
heavily when their advertising ac.
counts eau be paid FOR IN transporta-
lion. Nor does this Increased amount
Of advertising affect the interests Of
general public Ia any way. but
Il does assist IN making tho prosperity
II the American newspapers aud peri.
The transportation that Is
given 20 newspapers In exchange for
advertising does not affect In ans way
Quitable enforcement OF the rate
aw, nor does it affect IN ans way the
'ates charged the general public for
transportation for either persona or
property. II IS a benefit TO the rail.
In that Il enables them % do a
amount OF advertising than
hey otherwise could OF would do. and
n this way cur a greater amount
n business for their lines. and under
just Interpretation OF the law this
Increase Tn business would eventually
cad TO a reduction Of transportation
20 the general public. II Is
IN unjust and unoalled for ruling. ana
10Th the publishers and the railroads
.hould fight IT," !
That publishers are fighting 81, not
'nly by their protests q the commits.
ion but by protesting 20 the repre-
.entatives in both houses Of congress {
5 proven by the fact that already the
commission g. receiving communIca.
Ions from many senators and con.
ressmon ia which these representa- :
Of the people declare they had
10 Intention of passing q law that J
would affect the newspapers IN this
and that there Is nothing In the !
law which calls FOR such "a ruling {
a the part OF the commission.