Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1920-01-04
HIGH FREIGHT RATES
OBSTACLE IN AYOF
State ADVANCEMENT
Between 100000 and g.
100000 Tons Produce in
Idaho Affected by as Per
Gent Increase Of 1918.
BY LEONARD WAY

sion.
Idaho IL q large producer Of tonnage.
There originates upon the lines Of the
within the state between $780,
900 and 100000 tons per annum. Most
Of this tonnage seeks market In the
far east and in the south.
There Is. therefore, no subject, ex-
cept possibly that Of the high cost of
living, that Is Of more Importance to
the people Of Idaho than freight rates.
Freight rates in and to and from the
state of Idaho are high and affect the
high cost Of living and the Develop
ment Of the state to a greater extent
than many realize. Freight rates creep
into everyone's pocketbook whether he
ever saw freight station or not.
AN INSTANCE
recall purchasing a small two
pound household article in Seattle last
year for So cents and the same article
In Boise the following week for $1.65.
Inquiring why the difference in the
price, I was told 1t was occasioned by
the difference in the freight rate. High
freight rates are ascribed to be the
cause of the cost of $50 for a suit of
clothes that may be purchased in the
east for $40. Such justification for
higher prices is so obviously erroneous
lbstt IL uccuo AO uiSCuSSlOu..
During the past year several i'm
portant rate cases affecting Idaho have
come up.
Under an act Of congress approved
March Fl, 1918, practically all rail car
riers were placed under federal con-
troll, which gave to the president the
power Of initiation of intra and inter-
state rates. Under this act, the pres
ident appointed a director general in
charge of the railroads, who in turn ap-
pointed regional and district commit
tees. The power of the railroads to
make or change rates became thing
Of the past.
INCREASED DIFFERENCE
One of the first acts of the director
general was to increase all freight
rates 25 per cent. The effect of the
20 per cent increase was to increase
the higher rates a greater amount than
It increased the low rates, That is.
where an existing rate was 81, it be-
came SLIPS. and where the rate was SO
1t became 1915. When one remembers
the geographical location of the state
of Idaho with respect to markets, both
and selling, it Is not diff
cult to see that the volume Of the rates
to and from Idaho were increased sub
more than the rates in the
eastern or middle states.
The work of this department for the
past year has been almost entierly that
Of seeking readjustments to meet those
One of the principal commodities
produced in southern Idaho is potatoes,
several thousand carloads being ship
ped annually. Prior to the 25 per cent
advance. the rates from southern Idaho
and st. Paul to Chicago were SO and
between Idaho and st. Paul rates be-
Ing AZ cents. After the 25 per cent in
crease the rates became "a and 21h
cents respectively, difference of 52h
cents, the st. Paul rate being increas-
ed Az cents while the rate from Idaho
was increased 10 cents
HITS POTATO MAN
Obviously the potato grower in Ida
no cannot compete with Minnesota
and Michigan in the middle
western states. Practically the only
territory left open to the Idaho pro-
ducer Is that of the southwest, the
state being Texas, and Col
orado is strong competitor for that
market For many years the difference
between Idaho and Colorado, when
destined to Texas, was 10 cents. Az
ter the 20 per cent increase it became
l2R cents, or $3.50 for a minimum
car The Colorado and Dallas dis
Lrict committees proposed to further
increase the spread between Colorado
and Idaho to 10 cents per hundred. or
S57 per car, which would mean that
he Idaho grower must shrink his prof
t to the extent of $57 per car to meet
his competitors price or seek another
market. There being no other market
open to him would mean he would have
fn h,ts,t
After assembling a great mass of
rate compilations and ar
they were presented to the
district committee at Portland, and the
proposed increases were at least tenn
withdrawn.
WESTBOUND RATES
Another matter of grave Importance
20 the people of the state Is that of the
vestbound graded transcontinentaI
-ates. For many years the rates of the
state of Idaho from eastern defined
points were the rates to the Pacific
coast, several hundred miles beyond,
plus the rate from the Pacific coast
back TO the inland town. That is. a
oox of books from New York to Port
and cost $500; the same box of books
% Boise, $3.50.
After many years of continual fight
ng this situation, the rates to the in
.erior points have now become no
higher than the rates to the coast, but
still we are not satisfied. We can see
10 reason why We should be called
Upon to pay the same rate on goods
rom the east as the Pacific coast
POINTS.
After about years preparation, !
which included the presenting Of all OF
he facts to the railroad administration
he matter was presented to the inter-
tate commerce commission in a Very
Elaborate hearing at Salt Lake, Nov, I |
Il last year. Appearing In opposition
o our plea for graded rates, there was
! great array of traffic managers and !
egal talent with estimated combined
early salaries approximating $500, 900. |
The question of graded rates il now
'ending decision Of tho interstate oom- |
nerce commission, which, we hope, win |
esult in a reduction in the rates un- |
Ter those applying at the Pacific coast. |
HUGE SAVING
No estimate can be made of the
mount OF the tremendous savings TO |
he people Of the state under the grad |
d rate plan. Prediction 10 made that
With the coming OF graded rates. the 1