East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-07-24
FOR LOWER RATES
WHEAT RATE FROM INLAND
EMPIRE is TOO HIGH
Oregon Railroad Commission Is Pre-
pairing TO Order a Reduction Of
Rate-NO Need for Farmers to Pc
tition for Investigation as the Com
mission VIII Investigate on Its Own
Authority.

Wheat growers of Oregon's inland
wheat belt may have lower freight
rates between their fields and their
market II 1t is made plain to the
railroad commission that the rates
charged by the o. r. & N. are excess
sive, says the Oregon Daily Journal.
Some time ago, when the recent
rate decision was handed down by the
commission, II was informally recon-
mended to the o. r. & n. that the
rates on wheat could we'll be cut
down to lower figure than Is now
charged. AS yet the company has not
needed the recommendation, and II
is probable that an official hearing
into the question will be had in a
short time.
According to Clyde B. Aitchison.
one of the commissioners, 1t is the
intention of the commission to take
up the investigation Of the wheat tar
ifs as soon as the work of the COM
mission can be shaped so that the
hearing can be held. When this is
done an exhaustive examination into
the situation will be held, and 1t Is
practically certain that the Hartman
lines will be directed to lower their
rates between eastern oregon points
and Portland.
Farmers to Present Case.
In connection with this information
comes the story that the farmers of
Umatilla, Wasco, Sherman and Gill
liam counties are preparing to present
their case before the commission in
an effort to secure a material reduc-
ton in rates. The wheat growers as
sociatlon of these counties has taken
the question in hand and has retained
James A. Fee, a we'll known lawyer Of
Pendleton, to look after their inter-
ests. 1t is understood that petition
is being circulated for signatures, the
purpose of which is to secure a hear
ing before the commission.
There is no need for the farmers
of eastern oregon to go to that trou-
ble," said Mr.. Aitchison this morning.
'It is the intention of the commission
TO make an investigation as soon as
possible into the wheat rates charged
by the o. r. & N, and IL this investi-
CATION shows the rates to be too high
the company will be asked to lower
them to a reasonable basis"
At a recent meeting Of the COM
mission the question of the violation
Of the state 10-hour law by the o. r.
& N. was also discussed. Early in the
year the commission submitted evil
dence of the laws violation to John
Manning, then district attorney, ask
ing him to take some action.
Suit Already Instituted.
Manning pigeonholed the letters
and took no action during his term Of
office, preferring to pass the burden
OF any such, procedure on to his sue
cessor. In the meantime, however, a
suit has been brought against General
Superintendent Buckley Of the o. r.
G. n. in Umatilla county by District
Attorney G. w. Phelps on the same
charge.
This suit Is now under considera-
ton by Judge Bean Of Umatilla coun-
ty and after discussion the commits
sion decided to wait the decision Of
the Umatilla court regarding the
points OF law raised by the company's
attorneys before commencing any
similar action In this county.
II you want to keep your friends,
don't use them too much.