The Fight Against Railroad Extortion
Business owners in Walla Walla face broken promises from rail monopolies, but the editor argues that federal and state regulation—not empty lobbying—is the only way to break the gridlock.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The committee appointed by the Commercial Club to endeavor to secure lower freight rates for Walla Walla has as yet accomplished nothing. This is not to be wondered at, for the railroad companies cannot grant a reduction of rates to this city without a revision of their entire schedule. Spokane business men for years have been striving to secure terminal rates so that they might compete with Seattle, Tacoma and Portland on equal terms, but they have gained nothing but empty promises. Lower freight rates can be secured only through strengthening the powers of the Interstate Commerce Commission by federal legislation and by the passage of a railway commission law for regulating railroad rates within the state. The business men of Walla Walla can hope for no relief from burdensome freight rates by supporting the Ankeny machine. Their only hope of relief is through the election of the democratic legislative ticket next fall, as it is an assured fact that the men nominated by the democrats will be pledged to labor for lower freight rates through the passage of an appointive commission bill.
“Lower freight rates can be secured only through strengthening the powers of the interstate commerce commission by federal legislation.”
This reflects the early 20th-century populist rage against the 'railroad trust' that controlled local economic life. It echoes modern concerns about corporate monopolies and their influence over legislative outcomes.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.