The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-07-18

promised relief was postponed until after the com
ing election-an election IN which the republican
party must have that same support from the bene
fciaries of the high protective tariff as 1t has al
ways heretofore received from them, and to the
further fact that during the years OF uninterrupted
power no action whatever has been taken by repub
Iican congress to correct the admitted tariff in
iouities We favor the immediate revision of the
tariff by the reduction of important duties and arti-
cles coming into competition with trust-controlled
products should be placed upon the free list mater
ial reductions should be made in the tariff upon the
necessaries of fe especially upon articles competing
with such American manufactures as are sold abroad
more cheaply than at home; and reductions should
be made in such other schedules may be necessary
to restore the tariff to a revenue basis
The existing duties have given the manufac-
turers of paper a shelter behind which they have
organized combinations to raise the price of pulp
and of paper thus imposing tax upon the spread of
knowledge. We demand the immediate repeal of
the tariff wood pulp, print paper lumber, timber
and logs and that these articles be placed upon the
free list
The special demand for the removal of duties from
wood pulp and paper emphasizes the pusillanimous
course of the leaders of the house of representatives
in dscourteousy refusing to consider the requests Of
the newspaper of the country for relief from the
mpositions of the paper trust. Lumber, timber
and logs" were included in the demand in response
to the representations of the agricultural class
On the important subject of railroad control the
platform takes positive and advanced ground, in
conformity with the position of the presidential can
didate:
We assert the right of congress to exercise COM
plete control interstate commerce and the right
of each state to exercise control over commerce
within its borders
the interstate commerce commission may be
necessary to compel railroads to perform their duties
as common carriers and prevent discrimination and
extorton.
We favor the efficient supervision and rate regt1-
laon of railroads engaged in Interstate commerce.
10 this end recommend the valuation of railroads
by the interstate commerce commission such valua-
ton to take into consideration the physical value
OF the property, the original cost of production and
all elements OF value that will render the valuation
made fair and Just
We favor such legislation as will prohibit the rail
roads from engaging in business which brings them
into competition with their shippers, also legislation
which will assure such reduction in transportation
rates as conditions will permit care being taken to
avoid reduction that would compel reduction of
wages, prevent adequate service do injustice to
legitimate investments.
We heartily approve the laws prohibiting the pass
and the rebate and we favor any further necessary
legislation to restrain, correct and prevent such
abuses. We favor such legislation as will increase
the power OF the interstate commerce commission
giving to the initiative with reference to rates and
transportation charges put into effect by the railroad
companies, and permitting the interstate commerce
on Its own initiative, to declare a rate illegal and
as being more than should be charged for such SER
vice The present law relating thereto is inadequate
by reason OF the fact that the interstate commerce
commission is without power to fix or investigate a
rate until complaint has been made to it by the
shipper.
We further declare that all agreements of traffic
or other associations of railway agents affecting in
terstate rates, service or classification shall be un-
lawful unless filed with and approved by the inter
state commerce commission
we favor the enactment of a law giving to the
commerce commission the power to inspect
proposed railroad tariff rates or schedules before
they snail take effect and if they be found to be I'm
reasonable to initiate an adjustment thereof.
Inc opportunity to assault the enemy on its nros-