The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1912-04-05
DISTANCE TARIFF RATE
.D|scUssED,AT LENGTH
Senator eastman, Of 0Watonna,
Talked On the Subject.
From Fridays Daily.

From Fridays Daily.
Senator Thomas E. eastman Of
Owatonna was introduced to the
North Mankato Commercial club last
night and spoke on the distance
tariff and freight rates, a subject
which he was well qualified to dis
cuss. Mr.. eastman spoke in Man.
kato about year ago. At that
time he spoke for over two hours,
and expressed himself last night as
almost surprised to see any resi-
dents from Mankato to come to
hear him again.
More business men have been de-
ceived and baffled on the freight
rates question than any question
they have to deal with" he said
Few people undertake to find out
the rate some competitor pays on
the same commodity but in diff
ferent city. The average family in
the United States pays annually
about S15 in freight rates; every.
thing that is used in the household
has had a share in the freight rates.
But the producer who has to ship
his products is especially interested
in freight rates and under the
present conditions, the farmer, who
is considered the greatest producer
is being Disseminated against IN
this state.
Legislature Control Commerce.
"The state legislature should have
control Of the commerce in this
state, beginning at one part and
ending in the other part. This was
the idea the early lawmakers had,
when the constitution was formed.
All people and companies should be
Justly compensated for services rem
dered and the railroads should be
supported for equitable service and
fair rate of interest given them
on capital fairly invested, but when
these same people are Disseminated
against, then 1t is time for them to
act. F'J~..-
"The people of Southeastern Min.
nesota have special cause for griev-
ancs against the railroads, more so
than any other locality in the Unit
ed States. That bit of territory
lying east of Mankato and south of
the twin cities is helping to pay
moro than it's share of freight rates.
And there is a reason for this.
",Ihe people have permitted few
railroad officials and other men high
in the financial world to dictate
rates without objection. No protest
has been made against the rates
levied s,.....
ilistory of Rate Making.
Senior eastman then gave a
brief history of the way that rates
were formulated in the beginning.
"Back in the sos a few railroad Of
fcials held a meeting in st. Paul
and decided then and there what the
lake and rail rates should be; also
fixing many other rates, from trunk
line territory, via Buffalo and to
Duluth. Not only was the rate
named from eastern points to Min
neapolis but also to Mankato and
they named a fifteen cent differential
over such points as Rochester, Fari-
bault and Winona. Mankato re-
ceived a four cent differential over
those towns named, fixing the rates
at nineteen cents over st. Paul. Al
though these rates have changed
from time to time, this change has
been slight.
Back in the SOS Mankato was
a promising city, but these discrimi-
natory rates have impoverished this
section of the state and for the ben
eft of the twin cities. Mankato
might Just as we'll have been a city
of perhaps $4,000 or $4,000 today
as 10000.
Here is an example where Man.
kato is not receiving fair rates. On
western lumber you pay nine cents
more than Minneapolis dealers, even
II the haul Is shorter. Thus the
railroads pull traffic to the twin
cities, seventy miles farther for four
cents less.
Better Rates to Twins.
Business men who can find their
way clear to start here do not 40
so because the railroads give better
rates in the twin cities, and then
again they do not start there be-
cause the property is so high priced.
The natural course is to go across
the river and into Wisconsin. People
Of small means pass up Mankato
entirely; and yet their means will
not all permit them to, buy prop
erty in the twin cities, and SO they
60 to Wisconsin or Iowa. -.
"The Interstate commerce commits.
sion appointed by the president was
formed for the purpose of listening
to the grievances of the people.
Probably the commission, doesn't
know Mankato is on the map even,
and unless these rates and griev-
ances are brought before the COM
mission theer is no hope Of getting
redress In any other way. We have
been slow in exercising our rights
In not remanding a hearing before
the commission.
1.-TWO years ago, through the eff