The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-04-07
SOUTH DAKOTA FREIGHT RATES.
".

letween points in South Dakota are
100 high, no attention is being paid
this issue in the primary campaign.
Instead of this, noise is being made
about matters that, in comparison
with the right of South Dakota to
lower local rates, are OF trivial i'm
portance.
Both Sioux Falls newspapers tier
fte their belief that the South Dako-
Ia rates are too high, but they invite
question Of their sincerity by going
no farther. Indeed it is frankly as
serted by the Press that it is impera-
tive that South Dakota should have
low rates to minneapolis. The Repu5-
lican would not put it that way.
Why is it considered necessary that
South Dakota business should be
carried on in Minneapolis?
The railroads are entitled to fair
compensation for their services. ii
through rates to points such as Chi
cago and Minneapolis. have been
made so low that the railroad COM
panies cannot afford to lower South
Dakota local rates, it would be bet
ter for South Dakota to have the
through rates raised and a similar
reduction made in South Dakota
rates.
Why wouldn't low rates on South
Dakota flour be better for South Da-
kota than low rates on South Dakota
grain? II 1t is a good thing
for South Dakota to produce wheat
for the market, why wouldn't it be
better for South Dakota to produce
wheat AND make it into -four for the
market? But before that can be
done, the local rates on wheat must
be reduced, in comparison with the
through rates. The railroad COM
panies would protest, because they
prefer the long haul on both the raw
and finished product. But we insist
that there is a higher claim than that
of the railroad companies upon bust
ness. It is their undeniable right to
earn a reasonable return upon their
Investment. But is it also their right
to arrange rates so as artilcially to
increase the volume of their bust
ness? And that is what they do when
they decree that South Dakota shan
do no more than perform day labor
to supply the raw material for use
In the factories Of other states.
Yet we hear no such doctrine pro-
claimed by newspapers that avow
their friendship to the state. We have
no suggestion from the state railroad
commission as to how this end may
be attained.
Only one Of the railroad commits
sioners IL before the people Of the
state for reelection this year. Does
he not owe 1t to the state to make
some statement as to how he would
90 about It to secure a system Of
rates more fair to South Dakota than
that now in existence? 1t is a part
Of the duty Of the railroad commits
sion, we believe, to devise ways and
means for obtaining the rights Of
the commonwealth, as we'll as to per-
form the routine work Of their Of
fees.
The republican confesses to a
good deal Of sympathy for the rail-
road commission. They are supposed
to do wonders for the state and yet
they are paid the salaries Of third or
fourth rate servants. They are sup
posed to take issue with the trained
and highly expert officials of the
railway companies, and yet they are
compelled by the state to make most
Of their living out Of their private
business. They are supposed to hold
their own in court against a small
army Of the very best attorneys and
yet they are given, for help an at
torney-general that, to the shame
and disgrace Of South Dakota, is paid
the niggardly sum of $1,000 a year.
Why. the people Of South Dakota
could well afford to pay their attorney
$4,000 or $4,000 a year, If the rail-
road companies can. South Dakota is
bigger corporation than any Of the
railroad companies. And yet South
Dakota expects her interests to be
cared for as a matter of donation.