The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1921-05-28
LONG AND
SHORT HAUL RATES
Nevada Shippers Will Have to
Pay More Under the New
Order

Reductions on freight rates on GER
tain commodities approximating 20
per cent has been decided on by all
transcontinental railroads west Of
Chicago, 1t is announced by G. w.
Luce, traffic manager of the Southern
Pacific railway.
The reduction was decided upon to
enable the roads to meet competition
of the water lines operating through
the Panama canal.
The westbound rates have been
checked to apply from points in east
ern defined transcontinental terri
tories. groups "A" to ~" inclusive,
to Pacific coast terminals only. High
err rates are to hold in intermediate
territory.
]. M. Fulton of Reno, general
freight and passenger agent of the
Southern Pacific, said that In brief
the new order means a resumption
of "the long and short haul" This
means, too, that Nevada shippers will
be compelled to pay a higher rate.
1t is expected that the new rates
will be put into effect as Don as the
tariffs can be prepared.
Commenting editorially on the
above matter. the Reno Gazette says:
The announcement of the trans
continental railroads that they will
oot,ttoo - moe for roctorofiop of tho
old long and short haul rates, I'M
der which freight from eastern points
would move to Pacific coast terminals
at less charges than to intermediate
points, demands that Nevada and all
other interior States join in deter
mined and uncompromising opposi-
ton.
Deprived of a large portion of their
transcontinental tonnage by the enor-
nous rate advances recently OBJ
tanned, the railroads are clearly en-
deavoring to their losses at
the expense of interior shippers and
consumers. By the application of
the new rates the rail lines have driv-
en- millions of tons to water ship
ment. Thousands Of carloads that
formerly moved across the continent
by rail are now being transported
through the Panama Canal, and this
business the railroads would haul at
reduced rates, and shift the loss in
revenue to the consumers In inland
territory.
That a revision to this vicious sys-
tenn of discriminatory rate-making
would place an unjust burden upon
interior consumers and strangle the
development of interior territory ap-
parently means nothing to them. In
stead Of erecting their business struc-
ture upon sound economic lines, con-
ceding to the water carriers the bust
ness which cannot prof1tably be trans
ported by rail. and engaging in trans
portation that is actually profitable.
the railroad companies r seeking
by artificial means to hold certain
classes of tonnage that should be
abandoned to the water carriers by
every rule of industrial economy. In
their mad scramble for tonnage"
they are willing to unnaturally ar
rest the development of the inland
States and cities as we'll Is place upon
their citizens an unwarranted tax
upon everything they use, eat and
wear.
In this policy they are wholeheart-
eddy Joined by the large port cities.
The latter would be especially pleased
to see a schedule of rates lower to
them than to the growing little cities
Of the interior. Their sole aim is to
destroy the commercial competition
of the latter and to keep them tribu-
tary to their commercial houses. They
have all the advantages in the contest
conferred by wealth and by indus
trial and political power. And so far
they have been able to dictate the ap-
| pointment of nearly all the interstate
| commerce commissions members.
The position that will be taken by
that body is problematical. In its
decision of several years ago. when it
removed the long and short haul dis
elimination, 1t clearly indicated that
Its ruling was temporary and that the
old practice might be restored II wat
er competition made 1t necessary. The
necessity has arisen. according to the
railroads, and the matter Is now
clearly up to the commission.
The Intermountain States are fac
ing the old fight. 1t is imperative
that they join hands and that every
little community in Nevada contrib
ute its support to the commercial
bodies and the Nevada Public Service
Commission which will defend their
interests.
But whatever may be the decision
of the Interstate Commerce Commits
sion the matter will not be settled
right until Congress solemnly DEGREES
that no greater charge shall eve be
| made. under any circumstances for a