American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-07-23
M. E. LEWIS
"A Progressive Republican"
CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR
EXCESSIVE RATES
In SOUTHERN IDAHO


~
Average southern Idaho rate -. .012
Average Utah rate .-.......... .00517
Average Montana rate .-..-.-.-.. .00662
Average Oregon rate .--... .O0564
Average north Idaho rate ....... .0037
The above table presented by the
state in the coal rate case brought by
the idaho public utilities commission
against the Oregon Short Line and the
Union Pacific before the interstate
commerce commission shows at a
glance the discrimination practiced
against southern Idaho. Il shows that
the rate charged IN southern Idaho to
haul a ton OF coal a mile is from two
20 nearly four times as much as that
charged to haul the same coal the
mile by the same road, but to a diff
ferent state. II shows that southern
Idaho people pay a rate nearly two
and one-half times that charged to the
people Of Utah, nearly twice that
charged the people of Montana. more
than twice that charged the people OF
Oregon, and nearly four times as much
a. that charged TO our own n%eighbOrs
Ia north Idaho. These rates are upon
the same coal. taken from the same
mines aud transported by the same
railroad. much OF Il being carried past
our own doors.
Not only vas this shown at the be-
ginning Of the hearing yesterday
shortly after noon. but Il was shown
that the operating expenses of the
Oregon Short Line were the lowest. in
proportion 20 the operating revenue.
OF any railroad In the entire United
States. and this is after the taxes
paid by the Short Line are counted as
operating expenses.
IL was shown that the average oper-
ating expense. including taxes paid.
for all railroads IN the United States
for 1910. was 20 per cent of the oper-
ating revenues, while the cost to the
Short Line was but so per cent. no
other road being able to make such a
showing OF profit. On cross-examina-
ton II was ascertained that for 1913.
the last year for which eport has
been made. the percentage OF the short
Line was 5lsl per cent. " not quite
such a favorable showing" as the
Short Line attorney remarked.
Cheapest Commodity to Transport.
Moreover. II was shown that the
average revenue received by the Ore
o Short Line for the transportation
OF a ton Of all commodities Of every
kind for one mile was $O.Ol42, while It
charges consumers OF southern Idaho
for coal, which Is recognized as among
The very cheapest commodities to
transport that there is. $O.Ol2.
In other words. the people of south
ern Idaho are required to pay nearly as
much to have their coal transported to
them. n OF the cheapest commodities
TO transport that there is, as the Short
Line receives for all other transporta-
lion products on an average which In
cludes the highest priced articles that
are transported.
me case was begun Immediately at
the conclusion of the logging rate
hearing yesterday afternoon. Assistant
Attorney General u. @. Davis appear
ing for the public utilities commits
sion.
James W. Jones. formerly connected
vita the once OF the commissioner OF
immigration. was called TO show the
RAPID DEVELOPMENT of Idaho the last
few years and especially OF the section
tributary to the Short Line from which
IL received transportation business and
10 which such business is delivered.
He presented figures showing the
shipping business out OF the state. the
on leading articles being 2s.43s
carloads fn 1911 and 25,s26 carloads
tor the first 10 months OF 1912.
TestIfes ~ 10 Grades.
J.. A. ~Blomquist, a member OF the
public utilities commission. was
called rs testified 20 the gsner- {