The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1919-09-18
NEWS FROM
STATE CAPITOL

Boise, Idaho, Sept. 16.-FOrmer
governor Frank II. Gooding was in
Roise the other day. He has been thru
severe siege that brought him to
the operating table at Rochester, MINI.
n the great Mayo Bros. hospital, but he
:. now hearty and says he has com.
netely recovered from the effects of
his illness and operation. AS evidence
~ his returned strength and vitality
he has pitched into several public
ouestions, including the Roosevelt me-
mortal, material aid for soldiers who
saryed in France, or were ready to go
and more just freight rates for Idaho
and the west
MI Gooding is opposed to some fe;,
tures ofwhat is known as the land bill
IN aid of soldiers. The idea of eX
tending aid by making it possible fol
any soldiers who desire to do SO
20 on the soil meets with his Learl
approval, but he is of the opinion some
provisions of the measure are too
stringent.
More Liberal Terms Demanded
ut is the same in some respects with
This measure as with the reclamation
act.n said Mr.. Gooding. "The govern,
ment exacted too much from settlers
at the outset. There should have been
That would have given the settlers
a chance and meantime the govern
ment's security would have been en-
HANGED more rapidly than under the
present plan.
with the soldiers there should ge
no payment for the first five years
giving them an opportunity to get start
ed. The government takes no chance
on the young soldier who wants to
build home on these reclamation pro
lets. Other features of the bill are
too harsh and should be changed.
Il am so strongly in favor of this
reclamation extension measure, how
ever, that l would not interpose cap
tious objections. My only thought is
that, as the measure was framed for
the soldiers it might better be made
easier for them at the beginning of
their endeavors-at the time when they
need aid the most.
Should Spare Settlers.
an regard to the presently reclama
ton law, / am convinced it should be
amended sosthat the cost of maintain
H. IN, nd CT i1aI
expenses. putting the projects on pa
per-as it were-should not be charg-
ed up to the settlers who 90 out OIL
a government project to make their
homes. All such expenses should be
met by direct appropriation. The
homesteader is willing to pay the cost
Of construction, but he should not be
charged with administrative expense.
This is hardly in line with the govern
ment's policy of improving rivers and
halbors, which costs millions a year
without any direct return such as
eXacted from the settlers.
OF Importance to Idaho.
Another matter of vital importance
to Idaho is the PoindeXter long and
short haul bill now pending in CON
gress. The present freight policy is
all wrong and viciously discriminatory
against the inland west. We are forced
to pay as much-ofen more-for a
short haul as is paid by other sections
for long haul. We pay the coast
rate and then back-haul rate on tol
of it.
IF the principle of government Is
right-that more can be charged in
the west for a short haul than for a
long haul-then that principal is
right in every part of the country. II
is said that the fourth section of ouI
law to regulate commerce has never
been violated between Chicago and
the Atlantic coast. If it is right in the
east 1t is right in the west. We are
all living under the same constitution
under the same flag, and have all an
swered our country's call in this great
war. l know of no line in this coun
try where right begins and wrong
leaves off, or where wrong begins anc
right leaves off.
The Oregon Short Line, the breat
basket of the Union Pacific for years
With enormous earnings, has been per
mitted to charge the people of Idaho
nearly rs percent higher freight rates
In many cases than the people of Port
land were asked to pay, and at thu
same time the railroad was givini
Portland longer haul of from 500 t.
800 miles.
In 1913 the Union Pacific and tn