Arizona republican., 1908-03-04
SPOKANE CASE
 EARLY ORDER
Expected by the Shippers
 of That City
They Believe They Will Be Placed On Level With Sound Cities.

Spokane. Wash. March 3.-Reports have come through Washington and other usually well informed sources. from time to time that the Interstate Commerce Commission has completed the draft of its opinion in the Spokane rate case and that an order will soon be entered, commanding the Hill and Hartman lines to establish a reason able and just system of interstate freight rates to and from Spokane, but so far there has been nothing official to confirm these rumors.
 Manufacturers, jobbers, shippers and the consumers in general here believe, however that when the commission hands down its decision in this much discussed litigation it will therein is sue an order prohibiting the railroads from charging a greater rate for the shorter haul than for the longer one. and that in no event will the rates be greater to and from Spokane than those to cities on Puget Sound and the Pacific coast
 The Spokane case, which was the first instituted under the cong ression- I. '. which every inland city in the United States is interested, and the outcome will be of vital importance to every community, where the sO-called water competition does not exist. hence it may be said that the petitioners are fighting the battles of the interior cities so far as uiscriminations and unlawful freight rates by the railroads are concerned
 Managers of the transcOntinental roads operating through the Spokane country, which embraces 10000 square miles in eastern Washington. northern Idaho, western Montana, northeastern Oregon and southeastern British Columbia, admit without hesi- tancy that the rates from points east to Spokane are greater than they are to Portland, Seattle and Tacoma, also that some kinds of freight can, be ship ped from eastern points to Pacific coast cities and then back to Montana points at less rates than would be charged if they were shipped to Spo- kane and then back to the same points in Montana, but they say this condi- tion exists because of water competi- tion.
 However. during the hearing at Portland d year ago uncOntrovertible evidence was offered by the petition CTS. showing that not only were there glaring discriminatiOns in class and other rates. but the testimony. which was supported " tariffs. bills. and rec ords. made it 6lear that more than 70 per cent of the car load shipments to Spokane originate at points not in- fluenced by water competition. This evidence. pointing out also that no shipments can be made to Spokane in less than car load lots and then ship ped anywhere from Spokane as against the rates to the cities of Partland, Ia coma and Seattle, was not attacked by counsel for the railroads.
 Reviewing the case and commenting upon the probable outcome, A. w. Doland, president of the Spokane Job bers association and member of the Interstate commerce committee of the chamber of commerce, said:
 The people of Spokane. and in fact in every city throughout the country. look upon this suit as the most import ane one that has come before the com mission since its organization under the rev law. The case is a decisive one and the outcome means the sue cess or the utter failure of the congress sional act to regulate freight rates. We believe we will win, as on our show ing before the commission was com plete and supported by facts in every instance.
 Spokane is not selfish in this; it made the case so broad and sweeping so that every inland city could at least get the benefit of precedent. I can