The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1924-01-08
GOODING READY
TOF|GHT PLAN
FOR RAILROADS
Long and Short Haul
Tariffs Come up Again
in New Application;
Hearing Jan. l9

@>~>~ ~@%o . ~
Washington-Aitaching very great
importance to the hearings that will
be held by the Interstate Commerce
Commission at Boise January ~ and
at Spokane two days later. on the
pending application OF the transcon-
tincntal railroads for authority to dis
regard the fourth section OF the In
tcrstate Commerce Act. and to reduce
rates to the Pacific coast without max
ing any reduction in rates to the inter
mountain country. Senator f. X.
Gooding has taken the matter up with
all commercial bodies and all news
papers in Idaho. and urged that there
be a general voicing OF Idaho senii-
ment at the coming hearings.
In his letter to the commercial
organizations OF Idaho Senator Good
ing says:
"On January ?. at Chicago. the
Interstate Commerce commission be-
ban a series OF hearings on the appli-
cation OF the transconiincn;al rail-
roads asking permission to violate the
fourth section OF the Interstate Com
mcrce Act. which may give the coast
points reduction in freight rates
of from twenty to fifty per cent OF the
present rate without a reduction in
the freight rate on single comodity
to the people OF Idaho. The COM
will hold one OF their hearings
at Boise on January 10. and one at
Spokane. Washington. on January 81
These hearings will be OF vital inn
poriance to the interior of the west
Interior Will Suffer
"The issue has been squarely drawn
by the transcontinental railroads and
il they succeed n convincing the in
tersta;e commerce commission that
they are entitled TO charge the inter
for higher rates than the coast, then
Idaho and all the interior OF the west
that is affected by these violation OF
the fourth section must remain for all
time simply a PASTORAL and agricul-
tural country, for capital will never
invest in any state that is dscrim-
mated against in freight rates.
IF these violations are permitted.
i will impair and destroy many Of the
obbing houses in Idaho. The purpose
of these violations. OF course, is to
iestroy the coastwise merchant ma
-ine that has developed very rapidly
n the past few years. In the coast
wise merchant marine. together with
he Panama Canal. lies the hope OF
he interior OF the west Idaho should
become a great industrial state, for
he is rich in natural resources, and
everywhere there is an abundance OF
'ower that can be developed.
with our fertile soil and our eli
naiic conditions, if we are given an
and discrimination in
reight rates is not permitted we will
,e able TO build some cities in Ida
10 which will do much to give us
home market for our farm products
instead OF being forced TO pay freight
ates on everything we produce over
long railroad haul to market.
Up to Idaho
Unless the people of Idaho show
ONE interest in this meeting, and
resent their side OF the case to the
interstate commerce commission. il
must be expected that the commission
viii assume the people are not inter
sted. and will grant the application
i the railroads for lower freight
ates to the coast.
81 would not ask the railroads to
i've the people OF my state cheaper
reight rates on mileage basis that
he people OF the east and the south
nd the middlewcst and the Pacific
oast now enjoy. but am unable to
Understand the citizens OF Idaho who
assists that the railroads shall be per-
ittcd to charge the people OF idaho
ighcr freight rates than they charge
theirs whom they serve.
"The present rate on cotton dry
oods to Montpelier is Sl.sS per
undred II this application is granted
he freight rate 10 Montpelier will re-
lain SisS per hundred. and the same
o other points in Idaho, but the peo-
le OF Portland. Seattle. Tacoma and
iher cosai points i, will be Sl.l0 per
undred. This is only an example
/ the other reductions they are ask