Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1906-10-05
EDITORS PROTEST.
Call Latest Ruling Of Commerce Com
mission Unfair.
RAILROAD ADS BARRED
Say, There 10 Nothing In the Law
That Calls for Such an Interpre-
tation = The Commission
Flooded with "kicks."

Washington.-Th recent ruling OF
the interstate commerce commission
to the effect that nothing but money
can be paid for transportation OF
either persons or property means
that In the future the railroads will be
prohibited from exchanging transpor-
tation for advertising space in the
newspapers 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 its way to hit
the newspapers" The publishers in
sist that there is nothing in the new
law which would In any way forbid
the railroads from purchasing adver-
Using 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, but Is
unconstitutional as well.
One prominent publisher said day
or two ago:
There is not only nothing In the
new rate law which would call for
such ruling as this from the COM
mission, but the ruling is antagonistic
to the national constitution as well,
and 1t will not be upheld by the
courts. The railroads that desire pub
licity through the medium of my pub
location make advertising contracts
with me. and say me for the space
used with transportation which is the
same as money to me, as 1t Is used by
myself or my employees in connection |
with my business. The government |
might with equal justice say the mer-
chant could not give dry goods or |
any other marketable commodity in
for advertising space. The |
courts would not uphold such ruling
rs that for one moment, and there Is
no more reason why they should up
hold this latest erration of the COM
merce commission, for 1t is equally as
as the proposition between
The publisher and the merchant
would be.
Everyone knows that the railroads
10, and can afford to, advertise more
heavily when their advertising ac-
counts can be paid. for in transporta.
ion. Nor does this Increased amount
If advertising affect the interests of
he general public in any way, but
{ does assist in making the prosperity
If the American newspapers and peri
ideals. The transportation that Is
given to newspapers in exchange for
ADVERTISING does not affect in any way
he equitable enforcement of the rate
aw. nor does it effect in any way the
ates charged the general public for
for either person or
It is a benefit to the rail.
Dads in that II enables them to do
reater amount of advertising that
hey otherwise could or would do, and ;
n this way secure greater amount
( business for their lines, and under
just Interpretation of the law this
icrease In business would eventually
lad to a reduction of transportation
harges to the general public. 1t Is ,
n unjust aud uncalled for ruling, and
9th the publisher and the railroads
hould fight It,"
That publishers are fighting 1t, not :
My by their protests to the commits !
on but by protesting to their repre- !
,ntatives In both houses of congress,
proven by the fact that already the
)mmission Is receiving communities .
ons from many senators and con-
ressmen in which these representa- q
yes of the people declare they had Y
, intention of passing a law that Q
ould affect the newspapers In this h
ay. and that there is nothing in the a
NV law which calls for such ruling :
the part of the commission. !,