East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1922-02-08
THE RAILROADS UNFAIR TO THE INTERIOR

MI railroads are trying to do in the socaled Fourth Sec
~ ton rate case now before the interstate commerce COM
mission. 1t is not fully realized by interior people how they will
be imposed upon if the carriers and the coast cities WIN out IN
the fight now underway.
which gives a clear idea of the facts involved. 1t is here re-
produced in detail:
The transcontinental railroads are asking the interstate COM
nerce commission for authority to slash freight rates to the Pa
cafic coast terminals, while at the same time keeping up war;
time freight rates to all parts of the interior. A series OF hear
ings before an examiner of the commission is now in progress.
The first hearing was held at Chicago November17 II, and the
last scheduled hearing is for New York, January 16. Other
hearings have been held, or will be held, at Denver, Helena,
Helena Salt Lake, Boise, Spokane, Portland, San Francisco,
Reno, Atlanta Ga. and New Orleans.
If the interstate commission should grant the application of
the railroads the whole interior country would suffer astagger-
ing blow and it's future growth be retarded intellectually. eM
As no great manufacturing concern could continue to pay
wartime wages while its competitors were allowed to cut their
wages to a peace-time basis, so no community could go on pros
pering fit should be compelled to pay wartime freight rates
while its competitors were allowed, even in large part. to return
to pre-war freight rates.
Between June 27, 1917, and September 1, 1920, the rail
roads of the United States were permitted to make four general
increases in freight rates. These increases, according to the
bureau of railway economics, totaled on the average rs per cent
in 1921 over 1915. If the transcontinental roads are given per-
mission by the interstate commerce commission, they will main
tain these excessive rates all over the interior, but at the same
time will reduce terminal rates from 20 to SO per cent.
The gross injustice of that proposition requires no argument
Moreover it is a wrong national policy. The railroads are
proposing these low rates at the terminals in a purpose to en-
gage in a rate war with the ships. The amazing spectacle is
thus presented of the owners of the privately owned railroads
going before a public agency, the interstate commerce commits
sion, asking for authority to engage in a ruinour rate war with
the ships Of the American merchant marine, built and owned by
the American people at the enormous outlay of nearly $4,000
100000.
No sound season can be advanced why the American people
should allow the railroads to drive their shins off the seas or out
Of the harbors. Quite to the contrary, it will be sound national
policy to make the fullest utilization of the TRANSFORMATION SER
vices of the nation, the ships as well as the railroads, and not al
low one to destroy the other.
The sooner the natural division of service between the roll
roads and the ships is brought about, stabilized and protected bv
law, the better will it be in the long run for the railroads and
the nation. If a part of the transportation service across the
American continent can be more economically performed by
the railroads. they are entitled to take that service.
IT. is equally true that if a part of the transportation service
between the east and west coasts of The United States can be
more economically performed by the ships. it will be to the ma
tional interest to allow the ships to render that service
The present law lays down the broad, general PRINCIPAL that
the railroads should not be permitted to charge more for SER
vice TO interior communities than they charge to the coast cities
for the longer haul. That law, however, permits the interstate
commerce commission to make exceptions to the general rule
and the roads haev seized upon that provision in the law to ask
permission practically to nulify the law.
The intermediate Rate association comprising more than
200 commercial bodies, farm organizations mining societies and
manufacturing associations, is fighting with fine spirit and grim
determination against the proposed injustice. These protest
ing associations cover Arizona, Nevada, Oregon. Idaho, Mon
tana Washington. New Mexico, Utah, California. Oklahoma
and Wyoming. They will seek justice first before the interstate
commerce commission, If Justice should be denied them there
they will carry their righteous case to the high courts. In the
meantime, they will go to congress and the president. with a de-
termined demand for the enactment of an absolute. unqualified
long and short haul clause that will expressly prohibit the rail
roads from charging more for the shorter service to the interior
than they charge for the longer haul to the coast terminals.
This fight is of tremendous import to all the people of the
vast interior. 1t deserves and should have their enthusiastic.
u~nfaggirg support. The interior is engaged in a righteous war
against injustice and oppression.
--~~-.--.-.-
There was nothing small about the 1921 wheat yield in this
county; what we want now is an encore for 80 with a higher
price accompaniment.
The Progressive Business Club is living up to its name.
#&4 s##H