The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1922-12-21
INCREASING FREIGHT RATES

INCREASING FREIGHT RATES
Because the item of freight rates enters into
nearly every phase of life, it is most important
that Kenosha people give very considerable
consideration to the proposal of the Northwest
err Railway Company for an increase in its
rates Manufacturers and big shippers in Ke-
nosha will, as matter of business, take such
steps as are possible to safeguard their own
interests The rest Of the people in the city
should show similar interest The big indus
tries which give employment to thousands OF
people in Kenosha are properly matter for
consideration. An advanced freight rate means
an advance in the cost of a product when it
reaches the market; this means making COM
petition with other markets correspondingly
harder, and an increased rate means that there
must be some way found to meet this advance
in the rate.
We do not pretend to say that the rates
charged by the Northwestern Company for
shipping in Kenosha are adequate. We would
not want to go on record as saying they are IN
adequate TO decide on the adequacy of rates
means full understanding of the great bust
ness Of this company and the part of that bust
ness which is contributed by Kenpsha Presi-
dent Finley has declared that the Northwestern
is seeking only reasonable" rate. He holds
that the rates have been too low, and that, if
the Northwestern is to continue to furnish the
shipping service that has won the plaudlts OF
the world that it must have more money for
doing it,
This may all be true, but it is hardly to be
expected that Mr.. Finley or any one else would
believe that the average man would want to put
this rate fixing power into the hands of the rail-
way, but not making any answer to the applica-
tion filed by the company
KenOsha shippers are men who look at big
problems in big way. They appreciate that
they want to have good transportation facili-
ties 1t is not to be doubted that most of them
are ready to pay fair price for the service rem
dered Kenosha does not want to have it's rates
all blurred up with the payment OF service
charges for other people. 1t wants fair rate
commensurate with the service rendered by
the company to the shippers of Kenosha with
the understanding that it is proper for Kenosha
to pay it's proportionate amount of the over
head charges which must follow the operation
Of any business. 1t does not want to pay an
unfair rate in order to make it possible for the
company to bear the high costs of maintaining
service in some other or larger city
1t is impossible to divorce the traffic prob
lens of Kenosha from those Of the great cities
to the north and south of it, and undoubtedly it
is fair that Kenosha should pay some cost of
the handling of switching business in MilWau-
kee and Chicago, but there should be distinct
understanding that the portion to be paid is
fair and that it does not bring discriminatory
rate to Kenosha.
Officials of Kenosha should inform them
selves as to just what is planned in this rate
increase, and there should be an appearance at
the hearing on behalf of the City Of Kenosha
Expert advice should be sought in order that
the city may act intelligently with view of
preserving the transportation facilities it has
without an unfair increase in the price to be
paid for them.
1t isn't necessary to rush into frenzied de-
nunciation of the Northwestern because it
wants to get more money for it's service The
thing to find out is the intelligent way to con-
slider this proposition. The city which goes to
the commission with an intelligent understand
ing Of It's own position is the city which will
have some weight with the officials which are
trying to decide this big problem.
Railway rates are important to every one in
Kenosha, and the problem is properly one
which should enlist the best services of the off,
GERS of the municipality in company with the
expert services Of the men and institutions
most directly concerned,
LET'S HAVE MORE BUSES