The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1910-09-23
Continued from Page p


The state of Washington is far
in advance of the federal govern
ment in handling corporations or
large interests Five years ago our
legislature created a railroad COM
mission and gave it authority to reg
ulate rates and service subject, of
course, to the review of the courts
The commission started right by first
fortifying itself with all the data
and information necessary to make
its orders secure If carried into the
courts 1t ascertained the physical
valuation of all railroads in the
state. wherein it has led the inter
state commerce commission, which a
much slower moving federal con-
gress has so far refused to clothe
with sufficient authority. Armed
with the facts and figures necessary
the state commission has issued
many orders that have proved o!
great benefit to the people of the
state. 1t reduced the freight rates
on grain shipments within the state,
which order alone is saving our far
mers $750,0 600 annually. The COM
mission also ordered a reduction in
the general distance tariff of the
railroads, which saves the small
shipper of the state not less than
SIS, 900 per annum. A recent or
der reducing switching charges in
the city of Tacoma will save the peo-
pie of that city many thousands of
dollars per annum. Following its
findings of the railroad commission,
the state tax commission has raised
the valuation of railroads in this
state from $36,000,000 to s11,000,-
000, and the roads are now paying
taxes on that basis. In this it is
apparent that the state of Washing
ton is leading the federal govern
ment in controlling great interests
To go from state control to federal
control would be a step backward.
AS further evidence of the states
ability to take care of its conserva-
ton problem. permit me to cite the
manner in which we are handling
our fisheries. This is one of the
chief industries of our state, the pro-
duct of which amounted in 1903 to
something like s13, 100000. Some
years ago it became evident to our
people that. owing TO everlasting
the industry was in danger Of e.
| tinction Laws regulating and IL
censing fishing were passed and
hatcheries for the perpetuation OF
the supply were established, and to-
day we are introducing more salmon
fry into salt water than is the fed
eral government. Owing to the wise
action taken by our people some
yeyears ago, the State of Washing
| ton today leads all other states in
| the Union in the values of its fish
cries product.
In addition. let me impress you
with the fact that the cost of main
tanning the hatcheries and enforcing
! the laws is borne by the industry
primarily benefited.
Il believe it is the duty of every
state to establish forestry depart
ment. At the last session of our
legislature an appropriation was
made for a reconnaissance and sur
vey of the state to ascertain the
areas and locations of all lands not
fitted for agriculture, with a view
to starting a system of state forests.
We are we'll along in the work.
have appointed a commission of II
of our leading citizens to study the
forestry laws of the world with a
view to submitting their findings to
the next legislature for its action
when | expect a state forestry de-
partment will be established and the
state enter upon period of grow
ing it's own forests. / believe 1t is
lust as much the duty of the state
to protect its citizens in forestry
matters as it is to protect the states
fisheries and other resources.
Il do not favor the abolishment
of the federal forest bureau.
would have it stand in the same re-
lation to the state as the agrlcul
tural department now stands to the
farming interests of the nation. NJ
one expects Secretary of Agriculture
Wilson to come west, plough, harrow
and seed our grounds and harves
our crops for us. Neither could W.
expect the federal government e
perform the duties the states them
selves should perform.
81 do not advocate the opening o
the forests to indiscriminate settle
ment. | believe that when the tim
bered areas have been logged Off
, the character of the soil should b.
ascertained, and if adapted for az
, riculture, the head of famil
should be permitted to file on 10
acres and secure title to the same
The independent, Homecoming, lib