Arizona republican., 1909-03-16
THE RULING
 FOR SPOKANE Its Application to Similar Con-
 ditons Elsewhere ESPECIALLY TO PHOENIX
Though the Victory of the Inland Shippers Was Sweeping It Is Pointed Out That It Is Not Yet Complete.


 1 Correspondence of The Republican,
 While the victory for Spokane in the
 fight against the transcontinental rail-
 roads for equitable freight rates before
 the interstate commerce commission is
 substantial in character and sweeping
 in scope. 1t will not be complete until
 every commodity on the list shall have been reduced. l believe the commis- | sion will require other commodity | rates to be adjusted as those fixed in | the opinion just handed down Every | inland city in this country similarly situated will be benefited as the re- suit of the ruling"
 Henry NJ. Stephens. chief counsel for ! Spokane in the famous Spokane rate case. gave out the foregoing after read ing the full decision by the commis-
 sion, just received in Spokane. He added:
 The people of Phoenix appear to | have the same grievance as our ship ! pers and merchants pointed out in their complaint. in which Frank H. McCune. a rate expert, produced ta- l bles showing discriminations in prac- tically the entire commodity list and rates to Spokane and those to coast and Puget Sound points, and the amount of excess that is paid by the city of Spokane as compared with the other cities just mentioned.
 Tables were also offered in connec-
 tion with Mir McCune's testimony showing discrimination in class rates and discrimination in less than carload lots. and that no shipment can be made to Spokane in less than carload lots and then shipped anywhere from Spokane. as against rates to the cities above mentioned The railroads did not attack these schedules, nor did they try to upset the testimony.
 Tt is apparent that the commission considered the loss in earnings to the Northern Pacific and the Great North ern roads by a reduction of rates to this territory terminal or coast rates, and also considering the amount of loss to those companies by giving to Spokane and surrounding country ter minal rates. and territory east of Spo- kane terminal or lesser rates. And it seems to me clear that the commission will, either upon a petition or upon a new complaint submitted upon the evidence in the pending case, require the commodity rates to be adjusted upon the same basis as the commodity rates are fixed in the opinion now filed. The opinion says:
 " While the complaint attacks gen orally all commodity rates in Seattle. which are less than those upon the same to Spokane, only thirty-two of these rates are specifically referred to. No testimony was taken as to any articles except these, and in the view which the commission has taken of it's authority under the statute. we can only fix specific rates upon these articles, which have been made the subject of specific complaint, although We must consider what our probable action would be if required to pass upon the remainder of these commod- ity rates. and its probable effect
 "The evidence with reference to the l thirty-two articles referred to was the 1 same evidence and was not in any | way different or of any other char acter than the evidence relating to all | the other commodities. It is apparent, | however. from the quotation just made | that the commission has. of it's own | accord. concluded to be upon the safe | side and act only upon commodities | specifically mentioned in the petition. It seems to me that the commission l has held that practically all other must be reduced. The | opinion makes use of these words:
 It has been assumed that other must receive the same treatment as is accorded to these and that the reduction at Spokane must be by corresponding reductions at other points,
 Tt will be necessary to watch and keep informed so far as practicable with any proposed tariff which the railroads may attempt to file in com pliance with the order of the commits sion: and also any proceeding In court the rates established. by the | shall in any wise be af fected or proceeded against. In fact. 1t seems to me desirable to take the lt initiative rather than to play waiting game. It behooves the people of this city and the surrounding country to De alert and constantly insisting upon he fruits of their victory.
 "The petition attacked all class rates md all commodity rates which were or ire in excess of coast rates. It was lrged that upon almost all interstate .raffic the rates charged to Spokane we're equal to the rates charged to the sities of Seattle. Tacoma and Portland ,lus an arbitrary rate back from these points. It then alleged that all rates