The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-04-05
WEDNESDAY, APRIL s, 1911.
o GOOD WORK.

DIxoN's GOOD WORK.
The people of Montana, irrespective
of their political Affiliations. financial
standing and business associations,
are receiving valuable service from
Senator Jos. M. Dixon in the matter
OF relief from unjust and oppressive
freight rates. Every citizen of Mon
tana is affected to some extent by
transportation charges paid upon
products that he buys or sells. and
the efforts OF Senator Dixon to secure
An equitable adjustment of such
charges are entitled to the commenda-
ton of those who ''pay the freight"
One of the most important acts of
the late congress was an amendment
to the Interstate commerce law, max.
ing II unlawful for q common carrier
to charge more for q short haul than
q longer haul owe the same line In
the same direction. Senator Dixon
was the author of that amendment,
which was strenuously opposed by the
railroad interests through their pow
erful lobby at Washington and the
various other by which they
were generally able to defeat measures
that were obnoxious to them. Mr..
Dixon, however. stood pat upon his
proposition, making one of the most
convincing speeches eve delivered ia
congress in favor of q square deal in
this connection, s%ndjfnslly won out.
Some of the most important rail.
road rate problems aver considered
by the interstate commerce commits.
zion are now in process of a%djudica.
tfon-most Of them being affected by
the Dixon long and short haul amend.
ment.
Senator Dixon's good work in Sc
curing relief from excessive and un-
just freight rates has not been con-
fined to participation in the en- actment
of necessary and benefcent legisla.
ton. BE has made it his business to
attend some of the hearings of the
interstate commerce commission at
which questions affecting the well
fare OF his Montana constituents were
TO be determined, and on q recent oc.
casion Mr.. Dixon discredited the tes.
timony presented by an important
witness for the railroad interests. His
record in this:connection and in con.
gress is the subject of this comment
by the Spokesms an Review:
It was q noteworthy fact that OF all
the senators from the northwestern
states Senator Dixon alone came out
actively and unequivooally agains,
what ia aptly termed ''the crime OF
rebating to communities instead of In.
dividuals practiced unchecked and
without restriction..by every railroad
whose lines run west of the Missis'
sippi."
At the present hearing before the
Interstate commerce commission IL
Washington Senator Dixon is contin'
uing the fight for the peoples INTEREST,"
that he so fearlessly began. Sitting
beside II. M. Stephens, the Spokane
representative during the testimony o
81. E. D. J ackson, traffic manager o.
the American.Hawaii line, the sen
stor was quick to recall the testimony
delivered by Mr.. Dearborn, the presi
dent of the same company, last Febru
AIRY, and after the witness had spoken
feelingly of the bitter rivalry between
steamships and railroads In an effor'
to establish q bssis for the tradition
al railroad myth of water competi
ton, flashed upon him the c%ondradict
DRY testimony OF his superior officer
In the face of this testimony, which
Senator Dixon gave to Mr.. Stephen
for presentation, it is apparent tina
the time-honored plea of the railroad
that low rates on the coast are neces
STATED by water competition did no
have a very convincing presentation
The people OF the northwest are for
tunate to have such a vigilant an
capable companion at Washington q
Senator Dixon, who is not fighting TO
any particular faction or locality, bu
is doing all in his power to protec
and further the interests of abou
10, ZOO, 900 people living west OF tn
Missouri river, who have long suffer
ed from unfair and Discriminating
freight rates.
DAMS AND WARSHIPS.