East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-05-19
UNFAIR TO THE FARMER.

A clandestine movement TO secure
reduction Of freight rates on wheat
is now being prosecuted by a number
of professional agitators in this and
adjoining counties. The East Oregon
ian welcomes and rejoices in all hon
est and legitimate movements to re-
duce wheat rates, but there is right
way to get such reductions.
The plan mentioned is being work.
ed out on the quiet and is unjust both
to the railroads and to the shippers.
The plan is this: The agitator, G. w.
Gaines, who was in this city several
weeks ago, secures signatures of the
farmers to a pledge, promising to pay
him one-half OF any wheat rate re-
duction which may be made as a re-
suit of his agitation.
He then takes up the rate question
with the railroad commission and
whether the rate is reduced voluntar-
lily by the railroads or as a result of
his agitation. he is to receive in cash,
for his alleged services" one-half Of
the savings effected by such rate re-
duction.
He thus enters the field as a pro-
fessional agitator and not as a sincere
friend of the farmer. He causes the
farmer to sign an iron-clad contract
promising him one-half of the freight
rate reduction enjoyed by them,
whether he secures the reduction or
not. He thus takes something for
nothing under his clandestine scheme
to "get even" on the railroad COM
panies.
If Gaines and his co-workers were
sincere and were friends of the farm
ers they would take up the freight
rate question with the railroad COM
mission in the open, without an IRON
clad contract signed by the farmers.
II rates are unjust the farmers can
secure relief by presenting their case
to the railroad commission and this
effort of the walking delegate and
professional agitator should not be
patronized by farmers.
1t is a worse graft than the excess
sive freight rates. The contract being
signed by the farmers binds them TO
pay the agitator whether he performs
the service or not. What worse graft
can be imagined? He is simply TAX
iLg your money, that is all. He need
not perform any service whatever,
under the terms OF his clandestine
contract.
No wonder he wishes to keep it
quiet"
The farmers should beware the
professional agitator. He is worse
than the excessive freight rate.
The agitator has taken advantage
Of the fact that railroad rate reduc-
tions are in the air, to start move
ment for personal gain. He expects to
reap a large reward through the work
Of the railroad commission, for he
pledges you to pay him, whether he
performs the service or not. He does
not give you an even chance, but
axes all the advantage.
If you want freight rate reduction
,ou can secure it through the railroad |
commission. The state Of Oregon is
paying the commission for this service !
md there is no need for the farmer |
@ be grated by the professional agi-
ator. who is working solely for per-
jonal gains.
Turn down the proposition and |
present your grievance directly to the |
.ailroad commission. You will get re-
!ef there without signing away all the |
benefits you receive. If you are to
rive up to this agitator, all the re-
luction in rate which you enjoy you
night as we'll let the railroad COM
,any keen Il.