The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-07-04
FREIGHT RATES.
4 Policy Of Reduction in q Di-
rect Ratio With Increased
Volume Of Business.
A Talk With General Freight
Agent 2. r. Shelby.

Agent p. p. Shelby.
With q view to gaining some infor
nation regarding the futurspolicy o
the Union Pacific Railroad with ref
erence to Montana freights q MINEF
reporter last evening called upor
P. P. Shelby, General Freight Agent
Of that road, At his hotel. MI. Shelby
was found very ready to talk upo1
the subject, and anxious to obtain in
formation upon all matters pertain
ing to Montana freights and the
needs of this section in reference to
freight rates. The reporter first
asked the gentleman what effect the
action Of the association of freight
agents now in session at Chicago
would have upon Montana freights.
Mr.. Shelby-I am not fully inform.
ed rs to their action. I ana just from
the mines of Idahs, where I have
been virtually cut off from commu-
nication with the east.
Reporter-I understand a reduc-
ton of ten cents per hundred pounds
has been made on groceries between
Chicago and New York?
MI. S.-Sueh a reduction as that
will of course reduce your through
rates.
Reporter-Is there not q good pros
pect for a reduction west of Chicago
or Council Bluffs?
Mr.. S.-That is the principal OBJ
ject of our visit to Montana now. We
want to ascertain the condition and
necessities of the Montana carrying
trade and adjust our tariff according
~, al far as il consistent with q liv-
ing tariff Of rates. To this end l am
anxious to meet aud interchange
views with your business men.
Reporter-There is a good deal Of
talk about the survey of an indie
pendent Northern Pacific branch.
What effect will that have on
freights?
Mr.. 81 don't think they will
build an Independent branch. If
they did they would break the con-
tract, but it would not effect freights
a great deal.
Reporter-Wouldn't it result in a
competition between the two
roads?
MI. SIN some respects, yes; hut
competition does not always re-
suit in reduction Of rates. Look at
your rate on bullion to Omaha for
instance, which is $25, and the rate
from Leadville to Omaha, where they
have two roads. and their bullion
rate is So.
Reporter-Is it safe to say to tho
public that the policy of the Union
Pacific will be one of reduction
MI. S.-The policy of the Union
Pacific is aggressive and at the same
time liberal. A reference to the rec
ords will show that the Union Pacific
has always reduced rates as rapidly
as was warranted by the increased
volume of the carrying trade.
Reptile salt tariff between o.
den and Butte seems to be considered
very high by u mining men.
Mr.. S.-You know We have re-
reduced the rate on salt from
from $50 to $50?
Reporter-Yes, sir; but a compare
son is made between coal and salt.
Your read brings coal here from
which is sold for $11 per
ton, and charges $40 per ton for car
rying salt from Ogden.
Mr.. Swell, the fact is we are
making a small margin on salt and
money on coal. After the
track is laid and the road in
operation it costs compare
little to put additional
stock on and when the vol
lme of the carrying trade is sufici-
emily large the road a afford to
carry the freight at a comparatively
low rate. The reduction on the salt
rate will be continued as the amount
salt transported over the road is
increased.
Reporter-Will not the rapid de-
Of our mining region re-
,ult in the building Of a system of
to connect with the mining
camps.
Mr.. Enthusiastically! This little
narrow gauge will wind around these
and connect with every
mining camp in the country as fast
IS the camps r sufficiently devel-
oped to warrant the building Of the
Reporter Have you any objection
to my publishing the substance of
Dur conversation?
Mr.. S.-By no means, and you can
say that I would be glad to meet any
IF your business men and get their
Vows regarding freight matters.
TERRITORIAL NEWS.