THE DAILY ASTORI AJI.. ASTORIA, WEDNJ5S DAY MORNING. AUpUST 21, 1895.
HITS THE RAILROADS
Chandler Asks Interstate Com
mission to Interfere.
HAVE RAILROADS ANY RIGHTS?
The Difference Between Eight and
Wrong Combines of Railroads
Equity Must Prevail.
The publication yesterday by the As-6iK.-Ja.ted
Press of ithe letter by the Hon
Wm. K. UhandSer, of Concord, N. H., to
the Interstaite Coimmerce Commission pro'
leading flgalnst the notion of the presl'
derJta of trunk itove iultwuiyl3 In New
York. whlo aire seeking to effect an or
ganlzaiilon r tihe purpose of preventing
the demoralization of itnattlc rates by 'the
under officials of the various lines, opens
the way to some interesting arguments,
boUi pro and con, upon the subject In
general of railroads and their relation to
the people.
The tt&ttt between shippers on the one
side, seeking cut ratea from the ruKroads
and an advantage over their own com-
pallors in trade, and he railroads upon
Uhe other side in an endeavor to get
as much as possible for .their ervices
and at t'Ue same time retain mhe patron
age of large and influential shippers has
been going on In one form or another
ever nines tihe multiplicity of t'he rail
roads has iso largely increased competi
tion, bath among lUie railroads- and the
Mippers. The cumpetluon amongst rail
roaU ag-emlts In the large centers of trad.:
has reached a point of Intensity, wihlch
is very i-argely augmented by ituie drip
pers thiemiselvcis shopping from one rail
road otflce to anotiher and p. Wing one
line against the other, often times ex-
aggraliing the proposition of eaclh in order
to benefit uhemyelves. Under such stress
of circumstances the zeal of railroad
tigemts to secure tratllc frequently got
the 'beater of their Judgment aa to earn
ings, oonsequentCy producing disaster to
the companies represented by tihem. In
all these itraneactiona the email shipper
was mare or less Ignored from force of
circumstances, and many of the large
shippers who afterward discovered that
some one else lhad secured better rates
than themselves also imagined they hau
cause for compSalntr There was en
gendered a two-fold feeling of hostliky
against the roads, while ithe farmer, who
could not get as good rates as the large
brokers or Shipping ilrms and who was
taugiiit in the public speeches of pot
house politicians that the railroads were
to bliams for all t'he troubles and ills
incident to the fanmer'a life, tihe email
prollts upon his crops and the hard work
necessary for him to do in order to pay
the Interest ami mortgage on his farm,
made another element at enmity ugainsit
the railroads. The politicians purposely,
and tihe lairnirar lgruora,nltiy, losing sight
of idhe fact; iwtiicii has toe-en thoroughly
demonstrated by history, itihat in all re
ductions in rates upon farm products the
brokers and commission men w(ho handle
the business reap the profits, while the
farmer's earniirora were not Increased Ave
per cent. When rates tare reduced from
the producing centers to trade centers
the man 'who buyts the farmer s products
simply pays to the farmer that much less
for his wires.
Strenuous efforts were made by Uw
farming comimuniitle-s and the small mer
chants to pass legislation restricting rail
roads In the maiflter of freight charges.
The history of the old Illinois, Iowa &
Missouri Grange assocdiaitlors, and iiater,
similar movements in Texas, Nebraska
and 'Wisconsin shows to what extreme an
an fdea an run away with the best judg
ment of the people. The railroads were
the means of populating tihe states men
Honed and building up their wonderful
prosperity and diverse industries, and yet
to such an extreme had the feeling
reached against these roads Itha't legis
lation was had which almost succeeded
in wiping many of them out of existence.
Railroads, by virtue of the right of emin
ent domain granted to them by the peo
ple are to a more or less degree servants
of .the people, but on the other hand
In all Justice and equity .they are cer
tainly entitled to live and intake a fair
profit upon the millions of capital In
vested in the business. Private capital
Is entirely Inadequate to conduct the
business carried on Iby these corporations,
and without the assistance of the com
plex transportation now in existence in
the United States the business of the
country could not (be carried on. It is
therefore a self-evident propoi" ion that
the railroads have rights which are as
much entltied to pro! c lon under the law
as are the rights of the paople. No class
of men more thoroughly understand Hint
the people at large should have an equal
rate of transportation with others ir.
their line of business, so far as the differ
ent condSWoms of geographical locaitlonarid
complex business interests will permit
than railroad officials themselves. They
also admit that under present cwnditljns
owing to the unscrpilousness of some of
Ihe shippers as welt as of the over zeal
of some agents, this Is a hard problem to
solve, and -the.t some legislation la nec s
sary for -the protedtloa of both Inter
ests. The evolution of the Interstate com
merce act enacted by congress In 1837,
through the efforts of Senator Culiom
of Illinois, in behalf of the granger ele
ment of that etate, ws a one-sided
effort to protect the people regardless
of the interests and rights of the rail
roads, and made -no provision by whiA
the railroads might protect themselves
from unjust competition. The partial
failure of the Interstate Commerce act
Is Kamlliar to all and the railroads today
find themselves either tn a state of
abaevute bankruptcy or doing business at
figures -beknw a profit. A number of
efforts have been made to pafs an anvmd
merjt to the Interstate Commerce act,
legalizing the ptxfltog of business under
rates ' and regulations Impos-id by the
Interstate commission. This would give
both the roads and the people a fair
chance tor existence.
The action of the trunk line presidents
In New York city, referred to In the
letter of the Right Honorable Mr. Chand
ler mentioned at the head of this article
Is an effort upon the part of the railroads
to overcome the tremendous demoraliza
tion of rates between the east and the
west which his been current during the
entire year of 1895, as all know who
have kept themselves poflefld upon these
matters. The condition of commerce be
tween Chicago and New York is a most
peculiar one. 'With ten or a dozen lines
of railroad competing for Che business,
and with lake competition on the nor.ti of I
them, and adoVd to this the companion !
of Canaan railroads wtnWh are not sub
ject to the laws of - the United States,
tiie batata on the part of the American
roads has b ea a severe and most ex
pensive one. Earnings have been re
duced below the cost of doing business
and total demoralization and bankruptcy
stares many of tho lines In the face.
Under these conditions it is not strange
that the officers rtiould - attempt pome
measures to not only repress and conflne
their own agents to .the. observance of
orders, but that some action should be
taken to secure legislation protecting
them against the compatiltlon of foreign
roads and unscrupulous shippers who
use every effort and means kmowii to
the trado to beat down the agent end
overcome their batter Judgment. Any one
who Us familiar with, tho methods em
ployed to make one railroad agout be
lieve that hia competitor Is taking busi
ness at a lower figure thiam he la and
that tariff rates have been cut to pieces
can readily understand that companies
driven to the wall by .tremendous ton
nage at lunprofluatole ligurea should make
some effort at a combination or trust
that would make absolutely lmpoeuiMe
Dor sucfh a state of affairs to exist. Who
will deny that raiilroud companies have
not the Binw right .to reasonable profits
upon their business and protection
against wrong that ,the individual nasi
It is adimilited that great wrongs have
crept into the business relations between
raitroada and shippers, but the wrongs
have not all been on one side.
It has not been shown, aa yet, that the
attempted comibiinaition by the trunk line
presidents is anything more than to pro
tect their lines from ifurther demoraliza
tion or that on increase over the low
rates already in force on these lines
would not be within the iegol limits and
a perfectly Just and proper course- for
them to pursue. The tendency of the
times and the ttnop-elefs entanglement ot
the liaiiTge transcontinental railroads
pdlnt Iti oombimatHon and the formation
of trusts .which will enable the roads to
more ecomomlcaOly handle their property
and enable them ito earn profits upon the
low schedule of ratea forced upon them
by staltute. Some of these combinations
would be perfectly just and rlKht. while
others anight toe most harmful to the
Interests of the ipeopile. It has already
been shawm In these columns that the
joining togeither of lines of railroads, thus
farming a continuous railway from one
point to another, as for Instance In the
case of the Union Pacific and the various
auxiliary lines In Dts old syeilem making
a through route from the Missouri to the
Pacific nortihm-iestt, is a combination which
would naturally secure better service and
lower rates for the public. On the other
hand Ithe consolidation of parallel rail
roaUs, such as is proposed In. the present
effort being made to reorganize the
Northern Pacific railroad by combination
with the Great Northern, is an Instance
where such combination of Interests
probably would not be (to the interests of
the public. The Jonnlng of 6uch Inter
ests would wipe out of existence, em
phatic statements of railroad m-agnates
to the contrary notwithstanding, just and
reasonable competition in the territory
served by both lines. Furlthermore, it is
conceded that tihe Northern Pacific, which
la a land grant railroad, should not now
be in Its present state of financial diffi
culty. Had the land department of that
company been managed differently
seems most probable that such profits
could have been made during the earlier
periods of its existence, while the coun
try was Still thinly, populated and local
traffic amounted to little or nothing, as
would Oiave carried it over the times of
depression, of '93 and '94. However this
may be, one thing is certain, and that
is, that tins railroad is peculiarly a rail
road of tihe people and owes to them
obligations which can hardly , bs carried
out under the combine proposed by J
J. HKi of the Great Northern, In un in
terview in Seattle the other day,. Silas
w. neotrtit, general counsel for the North
ern Pacific, now in attendance upon the
United States district court at that point
in a suit ineltatultcd by . Brayten-Ives ,to
ousc Tine present receivers of the Northern
Pacillc, iwlth t'he ulterior object of de
feating the Adams-Hill reorganization
scnomie, eays: "The drowsed Adams.
HiU reorganization has never been ex
plained in detail because it was so out
rageous itihiat it was thousht beat to give
it to tne public in broken doses. The
scheme proposes to give a second mort
goge bondholder a 4 per cent bond in
stead of a 6 per sent bond: to Eive
third montgage hoOd-er a 3 per cent bond
Instead of a- 6; and to give to the con
soffldiited bondholders a 1 per cent bond
Instead of a 6 per cent bond. That is to
say, they offer ltK give for a $1000 bond a
$509 bond! bearing 3 per sent interest ami
also thinee shares of stock. This
Is. an near as the plum has ever
been pubMstoed, but in ' Itself it
shows thialt Uhe (Adams comrnllttee has
victimized the Interests of Its constit
uents in agreeing to subject bondholders
whom It prioresses to represent to a
ruinous sacrifice."
The trial- of this suit for ejectment of
present receivers, which will take place
In a few days in SealWle will be watched
with .the greatest Interest by the genera;
puKlc. It fs hoped and believed by roiny
of the public that some organization
scheme will be evolved which will place
the Northern Pacific on its own basis.
independent of other concerns, as tihe
interests of the (public seem to dUniand.
, Let the railroads and the public both
live. There are rights and wrong3 on
botih sides which can cevntalnly be met
on r.hie comlmion grounds of equity.
ACCEPTED.
Boston Home Journal.
"I propose" began the deliberate old
lawyer, who had called around to see a
young widow on business, cwhen the vl
vaclous client exclaimed:
"I accept."
' They are now partners.
Anwrreeable Laxative and NERVE TONIC,
Bold by Druggistgor sent by mall 25cw60a,
and $1.00 per package. Samples free.
Vft Tift TheFsvoritelCOTB rOWEIJ
kX3 JLi W for the Toeth Aad llreaai,2ij,
For Sale by S. W. Cnn.
Few Hen Would Ask
for a Finer Dinner
than those we serve. We're trying In
every way to make them the most en
joyable in town. All the "good things"
of the season cooked by our excellent
cook In the most delicious style. Perfect
service.
If you Invite a friend to the Palace
Restaurant the place is a sufficient guar
antee that he will receive a good meal.
The Palaee Restaurant
Stomvch and bowel complaints are best
relieve by the timely use of DeWitt's
Colic and Cholera Cure. Insist on hav
ing this preparation. Don' take any
other.
i 50. FOB A CASE IT WILL MOT CUBE. 1
ANNOUNCEMENT
EXTRAORDINARY!
Copeland & Thorsen!
Have opened a first-class
Boot and Shoe Store
Our stock is all new, having
will comprise every grade, from the Finest Ladies' and Gentlemen's Foot
wear to Miners' "Trilbies"
Owing to delays in the East our Best Grades
m
. Have Not Arrived
But we will bo in position to meet the wants of all for the
FALL AND WINTER TRADE.
We have deterrrined to permanently identify ourselves with
And we desire their patronage. All who call upon us will receive the same poli!e
attention, whether they are purchasers or not.
COPELAND &TH0RSEK
4fJ
In Astoria.
been manufactured to OUR
523 COMMERCIAL
ASTORIA, ORE.
ORDER since last Slay, and
Astorians
ST.,
lL
1873 1895
Brothers,
Sell "ASTORIA,
Lubricating
OILS
A Specialty.
Ship Chandelery,
Hardware,
Iron & Steel,
Coal,
'Groceries & Provisions,
Flour & Mill Feed
Paints, Oils, Varnishes,
Loggers Supplies,
Fairbank's Scales,
Doors & Windows,
Agricultural Implements
Wagons & Vehicles.
B. F. AIvIvEN,
Dealsr in
Wall Paper,
Artist Materials,
Paints and Painters Supplies
Glass, Mouldings,
Japanese Mattings,
Rugs and Bamboo Goods
Contractor' for
Fresco Painting, Paper Hanging, Etc.
765 Commercial Street.
Snap R Kodak
at any man coming out ot
our store and you'll get a
portrait ot a man brimming
OTer with pleasant thoughts, '
Such quality In the liquors
we have to otter are enough to
PLEASE ANY MAN.
Conpe and Try Them.
HUGHES & CO.
A.STORIA IRON WORKS
Concomly St., foot of Jackton, Astoria.
General Machinists and Boiler Makers ,
Lui and Marin Engines, Boiler work, Steam- ''
boat and Cannery Work Specialty.
Castings of All Descriptions Mad to Order on
Short Notice.
John Fox. President and Superintendent
A. L. Fox Vice President
0. B. Prael Secretary
They Lack Life
There are twines sold to fishermen
on the Columbia river that stand In
the same relationship to Marshall'!
Twine as a wooden Image does to the
human being they lack strength life
evenness and lasting qualities. Don't
tool yourself into the belief that other
twines besides Marshall's will do "Just
as well." They won't. They cannot
C.J.TRENCHrtRD, Agent
Wells, Fargo & Co. and
Pacific Express Co;
flop and PHOENIX INSURANCE CO'S.
Custom House Broker
f and Commission Merchant.
50a Bond Street.
Kopp's Beer Hall.
Choice Wines, Liquors and Cigars.
KENTUCKY WHISKEY
Only banded over the bar, The largest glass
of N. P. Beer. Half-and-half, ji.
Free Lunch.
Chat. Wirkkala, Proprietor.
Cor. Concomly and Lafayette Sts.
THOMAS MOKKO,
The Blacksmith whoeo shop la oppos
ite Cutting's cannery, is now prepared
to do such odd Jobs as making new
cannery coolers, repairing old ones,
making new fltthln, boat irons, and re
pairing old ones, and all other black,
imlthtnr that requires first-class work-
mnhJp
Superfluous Hair!
Removed by the electrio needle. Eye
brows arched. Cure guaranteed. Con
sultation free. The NEW YORK AND
PORTLAND ELECTROLYSIS COM.
PANY. Room 24, ttucker House. 698
Commercial street
w KEATING ft CO wilt open their
Musla Ball at 839 Astor street,
Baturdsy the 16th. Tbey will
www keep numberless good liquors
and cigars besides having good music all th
time.
Hair Goods flanufactured All Style I
Wigs, Bangs, Switche. Combings
Made Up, Dressing, Shampooing,
Bleaching and Dyeinj. Children's
Hair Cutting.
MRS C H SEDERLOF,
JSB Commercial St., cor. Eighth.
SEASIDE SAWMILL
A complete stock of lumber cm hand
In the rough or dressed. Flooring, rus
tic, celling, and all kinds of finish;
mouldings and shingles; also bracket
work dons to order. Term reasonable
and prices at bedrock. All orders
promptly attended to. Office) and yard
at milL H. V. U LOO AN. Pron'r.