The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1911-09-01
sPokANE's GREAT VICTORY


Off and on for the past twenty
years this paper has raised its pro.
test against inland freight discrimi-
nations.
In it's fight it has received a very
small modicufn of encouragement. 1t
has been told by some of our business
men, as its protests were unheeded
and it was bringing no results, why
not abandon the fight, take our medi-
cine and go TO work in an effort to
build greater city along other lines?
Just as we were about to throw up
the sponge some friend sends us a
bundle of Spokane newspapers, tell
ing of the great railroad rate victory
won by that city, after a continuous
struggle of twenty years.
Here is what one of these newspa-
pers (the Spokane Review says:
Spokane and the inland empire
have good reason to celebrate the
rate decision.
When a people have fought for
twenty years against the blighting
discrimination of a powerful combina-
| ton of transcontinental railroads,
controlled by financiers 5000 miles
distant, final victory is deeply appre-
GATED
According to the best authorities
this decision means an annual saving
of at least 100000 to the consum-
ers of the inland empire The ship
pers pay the freight but they collect
it from those to whom they sell, the
consumers.
This saving of three millions is
more than the total annual dividend
of the Occur d'Alene mines, more
than the profits of all the lumber
mills of the inland empire.
"And the amount saved will in
crease with the growth in population
of the inland empire. since shipments
will increase accordingly.
at is as if permanent annual in
come had been created not only for
each person now here, but an equal
locating here in the future
Here is another comment:
"a final and splendid triumph has
been gained. The weary war of TWEEN
ty years for just and reasonable
rates from the railroads has resulted
in an economic emancipation pro-
clamation by the interstate commerce
commission to the industries and
commerce of Spokane and the inland
empire AS A. w. Doland puts the
matter, the decision means more peo-
pie for us, more money, more indus
tries, a greater Spokane than we have
hoped for
81. NJ. Comstock adds: The decis-
ion is well worth the struggle. 1t is
very favorable to u.s. and E. F. c.
Van Dissel says: Nothing has hap
pened in many years of so much i'm
portance to the Spokane country. This
decision is epoch-making. r. L. Rut-
ter follows with: The decision means
much to the whole country. 1t means
new era for Spokane
"Such an epochal event deserves
the celebration that Spokane gave to
the victory. Directly in some lines,
indirectly in other ways, in less or
larger degree as one is affected by
the charges of the carriers, every cit
izen of Spokane, every resident of
the Spokane country, every worker in
the inland empire is benefited by the
reduction of the railroad rates. Not
Spokane only, but North Yakima and
Kalispell, Wallowa and the Kootenai,
share in the coming benefits.
"The sole handicap to the progress
of Spokane has been abolished. The
wonderful resources of the inland en-
pire have been set free for the fullest
development. The advance that Spo-
kane and the inland empire have
made, even when handicapped by the
railroads, has been amazing. But it is
small compared with what will be
achieved with these new transporta-
ton rates."
The triumph was signalized by the
greatest demonstration and celebra-
ton ever witnessed in the northwest.
There was an automobile parade of
more than two miles in length; every
woman in the city carried a banner;
twelve thousand people attended the
public gathering and the editors who
made the fight were decorated from
head to toe with the most beautiful
and exquisite flowers.
We do not despair. We take re-
newed hope and courage. The clouds
are disappearing and light is break