The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-05-02
THE OTHER POINT OF VIEW.


The Western Trunk Line Association
has filed with the Interstate Commerce
Commission new tariff OF freight
rates. which will become operative on
June 1. These rates show an increase
from l6 to 90 per cent. over those
now in effect, and they will bear espe-
cially upon traffic between terminals
in the West. Through rates TO the At
lantic will not be affected by these
new tariffs, though it is expected that
the Eastern associations will promptly
raise their rates to the new level.
AS the new rates will directly affect
the profits of every shipper in the West,
and probably OF most shippers in tho
East. they will promptly call forth tre-
mendous public condemnation. All the
smoldering fire of hatred for the rail-
roads will be famed into flames; every
outworn TRADE on 'remorseless corpo-
rations' will he rushed into print; every
politician who wants to make himseli
solid" with his home people will de-
clare that the railroads are again em-
barking on a campaign of robbery and
worse. There will be more talk of in
dustrial revolution, and there Will be
new threats of statutory vengeance
long before the Interstate Commerce
Commission will have been called upon
to approve or reject the new rates.
All of this must be expected
along with other popular out
breaks. America would not be America
If its people did not raise the devil
as Henry Watterson would say, when
ever the railroads raise their rates
The companies are probably prepared
for it and will take it as it comes
The Interstate Commerce Commission
Is probably likewise prepared and viii
determine as rapidly as possible wheth-
err or not the new rates are fair. In
any event, the shipper will have to pay
heavier freight rates until the matter
is finally determined in court.
When all the dust shall have settled
and all the smoke shall have cleared
from the courtroom, the public vii
probably reflect that the railroads hat
right to raise their rates to NEE
the increase in the cost of everything
they use If the cost of labor has in
creased and If it cost more 10 blu!
new equipment now than it did thre
years ago, the companies must eithe
raise rates or lose money. If they &C
cept the latter alternative they invite
disaster and may hasten such another
crisis as that of 1907. 1t Is a ground
hog case with them. They must en-
dure popular disapproval or pay for
receivership proceedings.
All of this is perfectly plain, natural
and logical, and will convince any man
who will view the situation with an
open mind. Yet this is precisely what
the people who will be affected by the
new rates wlfi.pot DO. They do not
and will not look at the question from
more than one point of view. and they
will not be convinced that the only
rule that really works right is the
rule that works both ways.
We have had great deal of trouble
with railroads in this country, and we
shall probably continue to have a
great deal more as long as people
think as they do and argue as they
do, We can never hope for correc
railroad regulation until we have ;
fair public mind, and we can neve
hope to settle the railroad problem
until we remember others interests a
Well as our own
-------------'
P.AuI'ER COTTON FOR soUTuER,
The story is that some entorprisin
cotton manufacturers in the Sout
have imported 1900 bales of Eas
Indian cotton to take the place Of III
Southern staple. which they could no
afford to buy at prevailing prices. TIL
East Indian staple, according to III
New york corrasnondent of tl,a Phil