Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1910-08-31
IOWA FREIGHT RATES
Railroad Commissioners Report
Gradual Lowering of Rates.
PROTECTION OF COAL MINERS
Des MOines Correspondent Writes
Interesting News Letter on
State Matters.

Des Moines, Ia, Aug. 30.-The
Iowa Board of Railroad Commits
sioners last Saturday submitted to
Gov. B. F. Carroll its annual report.
That portion most interesting to
shippers of live stock, grain, etc.,
reads as follows:
THE records of this Board will
show that for years it has been low
ering rates in Iowa. This has not
always been done by changing the
rate schedules themselves, but has
been accomplished by changing
commodities from higher to a
lower class in the Classification of
Freights. In practically every case
presented to the Board the request
has not been so much that the rates
be lowered upon any given commod-
ity, but the lowering of the rate has
been asked incidentally because of
the rate on some other similar COM
modify, or because of some other
conditions, lowering was neces-
sary in order to equalize rates. The
Commissioners have tried conscien-
been brought to their attention to
so adjust rates as to equaliZe the
conditions. They believe this to be
more important than constant re-
ductions, although wherever they
have believed that rates have been
too high they have promptly ordered
a proper readjustment of the sched-
ules.
There are many conditions to be
considered with reference to railroad
operations within Iowa other than
rates. Attention should be given to
a careful examination of railway
lines, roadbed bridges, buildings and
equipment, in order that the public
should receive the safest and best
service it is possible to give. This
should be paramount to everything
else and this commission hopes that
some provision may be made by the
legislature in order that these phys
ical conditions may be carefully in
vestigated in Iowa, to the end that
Iowa shall stand pre-eminent as a
state where the first consideration
is given safety of public travel and
superior service in all departments
of railroading.
The complexities involved in the
making of interstate freight rates
make the subject an exceedingly
difficult one. 1t will be remembered
that selfishness has not been elimin-
ated from the business world. A
superficial investigation of inter-
state rate making might lead one to
believe that frequently the interests
of different classes of business con-
fiict
Many shippers of live stock, grain,
etc., desire an exceedingly low in
terstate rate in order to carry the
products of Iowa to the great dis
tributing markets on the lake and
seaboard. Many of those engaged
in manufacturing industries desire
low interstate rate on the raw
material to. be shipped from outside
the state, and high interstate rate
On the manufactured product in or
Ger to keep their competitors out OF
the territory of Iowa.
Many of those interested in the
coal mines of Iowa and in their Op-
Grafton believe that Iowa coal inter-
ests require a high interstate rate
in order to protect them from the
competition of coal mined in Illi-
nois and other states.
An application was made to this
Commission, requesting revision OF
the interstate rates on grain and
-four. Many shippers objected to
this because of certain interstate
rate features connected with these
products, and before the case could
be heard it was practically with
drawn.
The above instances are cited
merely to show that the problem of
making rates which will be perfectly
satisfactory to all parties in interest
upon the principle which governs in
Iowa, is a very difficult one.
The first principle which ought to
be adopted by an Iowa rate making
body and which ought to be and al
ways has been in the mind OF this
commission in every rate adjust
ment, is that every Iowa industry
should be protected to the utmost
limit of the power of this Board.
The Commission believes that If the
doctrines of protecting home indus
tries is good for the nation, IT is
SOOu tHt
featuring interest in Iowa should be
fostered and encouraged and Iowa
shippers could not be placed, in any
respect whatsoever, to any disad-
vantage as compared with a shipper
who lives outside the state. Ii this
principle be correct, and we believe
ii is, this Board should use its power
and its influence in building up home
industries to the end that the raw
material produced in Iowa should be
manufactured at home, thus giving
employment to Iowa labor and in
vestment for Iowa capital.
AS an illustration of our theory
we have constantly contended that
ii was wise to foster and encourage
packing houses all over the state.
In order to do this there should be
an exceedingly low interstate rate
on live stock, especially hogs. We
believe that wisdom requires the