The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-02-08
Iowa Railroads Are Said 10 be Plan
ming Two Campaigns Against
Tariffs, 20 Open In
Spring.
TWO CENT FARE
Another chicaao-East st. Louis Case
May be Brought to At
tack Passenger
Rates.

Rates.
DES MONIES. Iowa. Feb S.-Rail.
roads operating in Iowa are prepar-
ing to start Shreveport case" in
this state that II successful will an
null all Iowa freight and express
rates and establish new interstate
rates from fifteen to forty percent
higher.
They are also organizing another
"Chicago-East st. Louis" case, that,
If successful. will knock out the
present two-cent passenger rate and
establish the interstate rate OF "a
cents mile.
Both attacks will be opened in the
spring. The verdict in three other
battles in other states show that the
railroads stand to win in knocking
out the state rates and boosting
freight and express rates. They have
won similar cases in Texas. Nebraska
and South Dakota. Whether they
raise passenger rates to "a cents de-
ponds upon the decision Of the su-
preme court of the United States in
the "Chicago-East st. Louis" case
now before the bar.
Announcement OF the moves was
made by Dwight L. Lewis. member
of the state board of railroad COM
missioners, today, following con-
ference with other members OF the
rail road.
Means Better Freight.
II received the information in Chi
caxo on a recent visit from source
the credibility of which cannot be
questioned" Mr.. Lewis said. I'VE
have ahead of us perhaps the big
gest rate fight in the states history.
For the railroads to win this case
would mean that many OF the smaller
jobbers in the state of Iowa, particu-
larly in the inland cities, would be
compelled to quit business because OF
their inability to meet competition
from outside the state. 1t would also
mean that other jobbers would be
compelled to pay millions OF dollars
addition freight and express charges
IL said jobbers. / mean the people,
for the consumer must pay 1t.
Seek Appropriation.
The railroad commissioners de-
cided at their conference to confer
with members of the legislature and
determine whether or not the cost OF
the coming freight fight can be met
under an appropriation through the
regular budget system.
II it cannot. the legislature will
be asked for a special appropriation
to meet the expense.
"The only thing we can do Is tight
to have our present state rates de-
clared reasonable" declared Commits
sioner Lewis. "And the state of Iowa
should fight from the start to the
finish. Our rates today are from fif-
teen to forty percent lower than
those of surrounding states. The
railroads have therefor turned their
guns on US. The commission sim
cerely hopes the legislature will
realize the seriousness Of the situa-
ton and take the proper step to meet
the issue.
ITO have the rates increased, Wit
ally affects the future of jobbers In
such cities as Waterloo, Ottumwa,
Mason City, Des Moines, Cedar
Rapids and other inland centers. 1t
will also effect the border cities
Davenport, Council Bluffs, Sioux City.
Burlington and Muscatine-ln the
business they do in Iowa"
Railroad Program.
The move OF the railroads, as e1.
planned by Mr.. Lewis, Is as follows:
The first case occurred In the
south. Shreveport, La, and Dallas,
Texas, were competing distributing
points. One was just across the stale
line from the other. They covered
the same territory. The state rates
of Texas enabled Dallas to ship cheap
er-for the state rates were lower
than the interstate rates from Shreve-
port to the Texas points, although
the distance was about the same.
Shreveport complained of discrimina-
ton. The interstate commerce COM
mission declared that Shreveport was
being Disseminated against and or
dered railroads to eliminate the
discrimination. The commerce com.
mission was the higher authority.
higher than the Texas state commits
sion.
The only way thereafter 10 eliru
mate the discrimination was to ig-
more the Texas state rates. The rail-
roads accordingly fixed rates from
Dallas to the Texas points in ques-
ton equitable with the Interstate
rates from Shreveport with the re.
sultant increase. State rights were
therefore overridden and the states
rates destroyed.
State rates were lower in Nebraska
and in South Dakota than the inter-
state rates The Shreveport case
was duplicated and the railroads
knocked out the state rates of those
two states and boosted the tariffs to
the interstate figures approved by
the interstate commerce commission.
Or Boost Tolls.
Now il is Iowa's turn. The wedge
viii be started at Rock Island to Iowa
points. Davenport, just across the
river, will continue TO enjoy the Iowa
state rates. which will be materially
lower than the new Rock Island
rates. Rock Island will complain OF
discrimination. The railroads will
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