East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1921-11-16
Public Service Commissioner
From Eastern Oregon Says
Plea Should be Denied.
II. II. COREY
Member Oregon Public Service Com
mission.

Member Oregon Public Service Com
mission.
The public should be advised of the
many applications by the railroad
companies which are now pending be-
fore the Interstate Commerce Com
mission for so-called Fourth Section
relief, that Is, permission to charge less
for the hauling of freight to Pacific
coast terminal points than to the in
termediate points, the carriers con-
tending that such relief is necessary
to enable them to compete with the
boats operating through the canal
from coast to coast, and between Pa
cific coast seaports.
Should the carriers succeed in these
requests, interior points will again be
placed at great disadvantage thru the
intermediate territory again assuming
the burden of support of the countrys
rail transportation system. Under
such conditions, ! do not believe in
terror points can safely invest in local
industrial and commercial enterprises
for the reason that such investment
may be jeopardized and perhaps con-
fiscated by the subsequent lowering
of rates to the coast points under the
guise of meeting water, rail and mar
ket competition in one form or am
other Such policy, to my mind, re-
stricts opportunity and development
as we'll us restricting increase in pop
ulation and taxable wealth.
Rather than TO reduce railroad rates
Ito meet hoat competition at coast ter
lminals, would not the equalization OF
rates throughout the country have q
higher beneficial effect by placing all
communities upon an absolute equal
lity? Those of the intermediate
points will not object to their railroad
rates as long. as they are reasonable
and free from unjust discrimination,
undue preference and prejudice, for
the intermediate points would then
be upon an equal footing with all
lother localities and would thus be en-
tabled to manufacture their products
at home and compete in n healthy
manner with other localities and Will
obtain the advantage of community
,betterments and prosperity, thus per-
hitting the spending of their OWL
Imoney at home instead of allowing II
Ito go to a few terminal Industrial cen
lters.
Such schedule of rates would
permit industrial development at the
intermediate points, and increase thc
population, wealth and taxable PRO
perty of such cities as Salem, Albany
, Corvallis, Eugene Roseburg, Grant'
Pass, Medford and Ashland, Baker
LA Grande, Pendleton and The Dalles
am not an advocate of the theory
lof making rates on a mileage basis.
am, however, as general proposition
!, opposed to the granting of 4 lowe
! rate for the longer haul over the sam'
route and in the same direction. Suci
! lpractice should not be again permit
] ted as existed prior to the war.
/, In 1918, the Interstate Commerc'
, Commission issued q Fourth Sectloi
iOrder No. 6790, owing to the ab9enc
o iof boat competition during the wal
Iunder which tariffs filed by the car
riers, dated January 21st, became eff
, fective March 10, 1918. These tarlff
, provided that rates to intermediat
!. points could not be higher than to tn
|, terminals. These, tariffs provided 70
= Increased rates to the coast points bu
y not in any reduction to the intermedi
ate points, since which time railroa
rates have been on a parity, and man
new industries at intermediate point
u have been fostered, with no appreci
able detrimental effect upon tn
carriers, and the present rate ~
II ,rangement has proven highly benz
: flcial to such communities.