The Goldfield news. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1904-1911, 1910-07-02
A Just Fight Brilliantly Won

VICTORY of tremendous import to the business Interest," Q
a the state of Nevada has just been scored, in that the interstate
n Commerce Commission has upheld the contention OF the Ne
vada Railroad Commission that the existing railroad freight charges
are unreasonable and unjust, especially that back haul charge from
Sacramento, Cal, and from Cecil Juncuon' otah, 10 "eno anu o'ne
Nevada points.
For years the Southern Pacific has levied an exorbitant toll upon
the people for freight shipments from the east, the rate to Reno beng
much higher N a shipment from Chicago, for instance, than the rate
to Sacramento. A carload of merchandise billed from Chicago to
Reno is cut out of the train at Reno, and yet the Southern faclnc
charges the full rate to Sacramento-the terminal" or "distr1but
ing, point-and then an excessive local charge for the haul from
Sacramento back to Reno, and this when the haul Is never made on
some classes of goods the charge on the haul from Sacramento to
Reno-the haul that is never made-is higher than the charge Tor the
long haul from Chicago to San Francisco or Sacramento.
With this back haul charge assessed on ali goods, and ON top
Of this a high charge for the haul from Reno to Goldfeld and other
desert points, freight rates have been an enormous item of expense on
every commodity brought into the state. OF course the merchants and
dealers have not had to pay these charges-they have been assessed
to the ultimate consumer" SO, the unjust rate imposes a direct tax
upon every man, woman and child in the state-upon every pound of
Hour, every suit of clothing, every pair of shoes, upon every necessity
and luxury used by the people of Nevada. The yearly toll thus illegal
y taken has amounted to millions of dollars.
The Interstate Commerce Commission, after months and years
spent IN seemingly fruitless investigation, has at last come into the
open and declared that the people of the country are getting the worst
of the deal from the railroads, and that the railroads shall give
eouabe rates to all sections o" the country.
Too much praise cannot be given the Nevada Railroad Commits
sion, headed by Judge Bartine, for the extremely able manner in
which Nevada claims for relief were presented to the Interstate
Commissioners. Nevada went into that fight against all the power
that San Francisco and Sacramento, and all that the Southern Pacific
interests could bring to bear upon the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion. The southern racine company naturally uu not WISH ~ ID
its rich revenue stopped from that back haul''--which was never
made; San Francisco and the central California interests did not
want Nevada to be released from it's present business bondage to the
coast. The fight was a bitter one, and that Nevada won is a matter
for statewide congratulation to the men upon whose shoulders the
brunt of the battle fell.
Incidentally, it may be said, the successful fight for just freight
rates for Nevada. is due to a Democratic state administration. Gov
ernor Dickerson appointed the railroad commission-recognized by
the Interstate Commerce Commission as the ablest west OF the Mis-
souri, river-and he has always given the state commission his strong
est support. He has been in touch with the fight from the first and
constantly in harmony with the commission; and in passing out the
bouquets on this occasion, the Railroad Commission, Governor Dicker-
son and the Democratic party are all to be fehcitated and to share the
honors of a hardfought, successful and momentOus victory.