The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-11-06
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON
Special Correspondence Tribune Giving High Light s
NsdoaL Capital

proposal that rail freight rates be low
cred on grain for export. Whatevei
heart throbs the rail chieftains hav,
for the farmers do not beat in the re
spouse to the President, as the argu.
ment is put forward that lowered rates
on grain for export would not create
an increased market for wheat in Eu-
rope, and therefore would not help
lift the American farmer out OF the
slough of overproduction.
On top of the proposed rail freight
reduction is the proposal that the
Shipping Board drop about fifteen
cents a bushel from its rate. If the
railroads did as well as that the wheat
farmers would be given big start
towards getting into the European
markets.
The probabilities are that no action
will be taken on the proposals, and
that the whole matter will be left for
the pyramidic oratory in Congress.
1t is fair to assume that the rail-
roads are being run in the interest of
their owners, and not for the farmers.
The Shipping Board is faced with a
proposal that would start a rate war
on the oceans. In view OF the fact
that their ships are already losing
of dollars every year the sug-
gestion does not look good to the
Shipping Board Hence the deadlock.
Political and Economic Laws
A great thinker who lead very
simple life died in Schenectady the
other day. He recently offered a prac-
teal. undeniable solution for the bur-
iens of transportation. He knew
nothing about politics, and not much |
about railroads and steam ships. but
ne knew his book of science, and he
frequently startled the country by his
of how to apply the Gagged
giant electricity, to cure the ills that
lie proved were economic and not po-
itical. Railway managers are much
ike most of the rest of u.s." said DIR.
,teinmetz. They love their ruts
They found steam on the railroads.
thew it would work and were not
ure about electricity; so why not
eep on burning coal. . Inasmuch
5 electricity is better and cheaper, the
hange cannot be much longer delay
d. One big system need only to start
D compel the others to follow
DR.. Steinmetz observed that it is
heaper to ship electricity than coal.
nat IT is the lost motion in industry
nat makes production expensive He
roved that invention is ahead of
ommerce, and reasoned that whatever
wasted anywhere is burden upon
lie country. His economic law would
arness all the great water powers,
urn coal at the mouth of the mines.
I'd transmit the power produced by
alter and coal by electricity to fac
ries, railroads and industries. Fire
: wire would speedily bring relief
wheat farmers and industries that
e finding excessive freight rates
cir greatest handicap in business, be-
use the railroads would get out of
FRYING coal. which is almost half of
cir entire freight business.
Congress is doing its best with the
OILS it has at hand. Already licenses
ID permits have been asked for water
'wer rights in excess of 100000
There is more than 65,-
5000 available water horsepower in
e United States. and this compared
tn 50,000.0000 steam horsepower
W in use shows what our rivers and
cams are capable of doing for hui
unity. Congress has helped the
onomic law in getting to work by
king political laws that have been
trumental in starting boom for
. use OF our natural water power
ources. The spirit OF DIR. Stein
tz would say that it is good start
,estment Bankers Have Their Day