The Bingham County news. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1918-1930, 1923-06-29
(By GUY FLENNER)

reclamation Oh lue ueSeIl Dut VI thS
dollar as well. With that thought, we
have made studies of marketing and
transportation problems in the hope
of aiding those who have come onto
our land, to stay there profitably.
AS we view it one of the surest
ways NOT to secure
1. Needed lowering of costs OF
transportation to our agricultural
producers;
2. Needed additional transporta-
ton already planned for Idaho, is to
adopt one OF all of the following poll
cies with relation to the railroad sys-
TEN serving us;
1. Antagonism and anger.
2. Political propaganda, either
personal or party.
8. Organization of public OPPOSITION
On the other hand the surest way
to secure what we need is represent
ed in the following combination:
1. Cooperation.
2. Temperate and constructive
criticism and suggestion.
8. Recognition of all the elements
involved in rate making.
They Should Know.
It seems to be entirely business
like, before shippers of Idaho enter
into any organized rate activity, that
they have a clear conception Of what
can be done, so their cash and efforts
will not be placed against the per-
Torrance of the improbable. They
should know what is possible Of &C
complishment and how 1t may be
brought about in order that they may
intelligently support any legitimate
movement promising success and
withhold approval and support from
any activity likely to be unsuccessful,
pregnant with the prospects OF pull
ing some other interests chestnuts
out Of the fire, and possible produce
great injury, for
/. The shippers must pay the fid-
dlers who act in their behalf.
g. The shippers must pay the cost
Of resistance on the part of the car
riers, which becomes part of their ex-
pense of doing business.
uc oulpPOl6 VI 1OohO civ NV
In position to advance their coin
merely for the fun of a fight" al
though justified in joining any legit-
innate effort, sanely and unselfishly |
remised, giving promise Of results.
1t is obvious, therefore, that every |
agitation must be scrutinized closely !
to avoid the possibility of preventing |
the success of plans under considera- |
ton that will work to our advantage |
if not agitated out Of business or side
tracked by hasty and undigested ac-
ton.
No Locality Can Settle 1t
This is unescapable-th carrier
structure on rates is so knitted to-
gether that any adjustments affect
territory far removed from local con-
Whatever Idaho may Sc
cure will be general in scope and ap-
plication.
Our markets are touched by var
iety of railroad systems. The con-
Meeting lines can be reached, as to
rates, either through the interstate
commerce commission or through the
friendly action of the system directly
serving us, and 1t has already taken
steps in that direction, according to
reliable information
1t must also be remembered that
the interstate commerce commission
Is limited in it's powers. 1t cannot de-
presse rates to point that would d.
minish volume and thereby deny
fair return. A fight for lower agri-
cultural rates would invite opposition
of all other classes Of shippers who
realize they might be called upon to
bear the difference. Such fight
would be prolonged and costly. Rail-
roads connecting with lines that d.
rectly serve us would naturally fight
Tor their own localities to the last
Itch.
Such a fight may be forced upon us
put because of the effort and ex- |
pense if there is any other way aside. [
rom the appeal to the interstate COM
nerce commission at this time, it is {
not the part of wisdom to adopt it. I
An outstanding reason is that af |
er such action is started no conces-
lion can be had from the carriers and {
10 negotiations can be entertained 1
Until that action is disosed Of. l
It is undoubted that the railroad I
ystems directly serving us are seek a
ng adjustments so they can lower G
ates on farm products.
They hope to be able to do this
Without mourning the risk Of sub
Getting their whole revenue base to
through the activities Of v
,ther shippers of, class commodities u
n behalf Of establishment of their e
'ates on the relatively low base.
Profit in Sitting Tight t
In view Of all the conditions, wis 8
Lom seems to dictate that this Is the p
line Of all times for sitting still, in t
tead of precipitating industrial or t
'oltical agitations, pending the de-
elements of conferences now pro- C
eeding between the carriers them
-y-1n R{nh< ro NOV of ~ al fhfa