The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1912-08-02
RAILROADS. WIN

people on earth, and they have
distinctly American way of dom,
things. Especially is this true o
making railroad rates, and just nov
in the month of August is a goot
time to give little thought to it, IL
view of sweeping changes that ar,
being made in freight rates on tn,
Southern Pacific and Santa Fe TO,
through traffic.
In consequence of an agitation
started by intermediate points to gel
a short haul at cost that is in pro.
portion to the rate paid for the lone
haul, the rate for the long haul IL
raised to make it In keeping with
what the roads have been getting
for the short haul.
To bring the matter closer home,
Idaho has been complaining that we
pay a proportionately higher rate
from Missouri river points to Poca-
tello than Oregon people pay from
the Missouri river to Oregon towns.
II the questions involved are settled
in the same way by the Interstate
Commerce Commission, we will pay
the same rate as heretofore but Ore
gon shippers will pay the advanced
rate instead of Idahoans paying lees
than now.
For more than a quarter of a CEN
fury bitter fight has been made on
what is known as the American prin-
ciple of rate-making, which is based
upon what the traffic will bear"
And this is worked out with a view
OF developing every industry posi-
Bile to make the country great. For
example, If steel can be hauled from
Pittsburg to Nampa for certain
price, and it can be carried around
the Horn and delivered at Portland
for the same price, the railroad COM
pany considers whether it. would
rather haul it to Portland for the
price paid by water or lose the bust
ness.
In getting at this question, suppose
they found that all the rolling stock
was busy and that to accommodate
the carrying of the steel it would
be necessary to buy a few engines
and some cars, but that the track
age and the general equipment in all
respects could just as well handle
The steel trains as not, and the rev.
enue from them would soon pay for
the extra equipment and not add
materially to other expenses. It
would be Strengthening the organ
lzation and working forces of the
'oad. 1t would be building up
'ather than scattering the forces.
Would 1t hurt Nampa people to keep
Nh paying the same price and vet
trainloads of steel going
trough their town? These are
Questions that have been canvassed
or years and years, and the matter
as been settled in the case of the
'anta Fe and the Southern Pacific. S
S stated, by giving the roads the l
higher rate for the long haul-if G
ney can get it if they can get the
uslness at g higher rate. There is the !
ub.
II 1t goes by water or fails to 20 =
all, it reduces the revenue of the 4;
BAD just that much and leaves it in r
poorer position to keep up it's for q
IS and equipment. The major por- .,
on OF the property necessary for the
perat1on of the road, and most of ;,
lie employees all along the line must
Ill draw the same pay to create y =
lis smaller revenue, and If this
'lnciple were followed out in all :.
nes the logical result would be =
at many kinds of business would be -
lrt by it. Many mines are operat- -
g because they can get a specially ~
" rate on their ore sent to a smelt- -
for treatment. Many products Of .
rm and orchard have been carried y
what the traffic will bear rather ~
an on the European plan of SO y
my pounds for SO many cents re- 70
rdless OF all considerations. -
II a wagon factory at Chicago paw az
certain price per car to have
CONS carried to Los Angeles, finds ~ ~
It they can ship cheaper by water, W
railroad tries to meet the water m'
npetition to Los Angeles, but does "'
try to reduce the rate to points
t OF Los Angeles Wagons and
d goods can stand the long trip al
water, but In case Of perishable ~
DIS the logical result is that when "a
rate is advanced. shipments cease Nv
the producers finding their
'ket shrinking, discharge some OF TIL