Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1886-05-21
Official Paper of Griggs County
An Open Letter.

An Open Letter.
The following extracts from the
Pioneer Press calls forth an open letter
from Mr.. Loucks. President Of the ter
ritorlal Farmers Alliance Of Dakota.
to our Dakota. Railroad Commissioners.
ALEX Griggs, Railroad commissioner
for the Territory of Dak:-We are pro-
ceedlng in Il modest sort of way to the
accomplishment of certain desired ends
in the interest of our people: but we
don't intend to embarrass the railways
which are doing so much for the devel-
opment of our great territory. Our
policy is to secure as low Il rate on eN-
port goods, such as grain and potatoes
as possible. and to accomplish the same
end IN the matter OF the import of such
OF the necessities, as building material,
ect., as may De consistant with the
earning.capacity of our railroads without
crippling them. The mere fact that a
railroad with our territory, by the ex-
ercise OF economy, and by virtue of
good management, has accumulated Il
surplus which may be used 70: the de-
velopment of new territory tributary to
it, is no reason why we should require
that road to pay tribute to the extent of
its earnings and surplus.
| President Loucks says: ''Until had
seen the above item had forgotten that
we had anv railroad commissioners in
Dakota, and. modest as am. it occur
red to me that your extreme modesty
was doing you an injustice in keeping
your light hid under blshel, and that
| would be doing a charitable thing to
mveil such wonderful modesty. was
under the impression that the railroad
commissioners were appointed to con-
slider the interests of the shippers and
not those of the railroad companies.
was innocent enough to think that the
railroads employed the very best talent
( III the country to look after their inter-
ests. = l am sure the railroads
must appreciate your thoughtfulness in
not wishing to embarrass Them" Have
you ever thought Of the very embarrass-
ing position in which a large number of
the farmers of Dakota are placed, and
which might have been relieved by a
reasonable reduction of freight rates?
Before encouraging the railroads to ac-
cumulate surpluses, would il not he ad-
viseable to learn the amount of surplus
the farmers are able to lay up under ex-
listing rates and prices. You admit we
are not getting living price within 10
to Is per cent for our wheat. You esti-
mate a saving by your proposed reduc-
ton Of rates S33 per every 50 acres of
wheat grown. You assure us II am
certain that can secure anything with
in reason from them,'' the railroad
companies. You think the above rea-
sonable; then why in the name of COM
mon sense and suffering humanity
should you allow your modestv to pre-
vent you pushing this matter at once.
x Then as to coming freights.
You think there should be a reduction.
You are sure yon can secure it. You
estimate a saving of So Oh groceries, etc.
Ii you add farm implements, lumber
and twine. you could. think raise the
estimate several times. Are you aware
that the bulk of such necessities will he
needed next fall? There is an
other subject The rate on wheat to
Chicago to which. OF a corresponding
point. we are compelled to pay freight
on all shipments OF wheat. Take for
instance the rate from Wateltown to
Chicago is 80 cents. TNat was the rate
when the transit sold for Is cents and
was protected at that by the railroad
companies interested. Transit has late
ly fallen as low as 8 cents, We used to
to figure the freight to Minneapolis at
is cents, thence to Chicago OF Is cents.
Now we must figure from Minneapolis
to Chicago 8 cents. and from Water
town to Minneapolis - cents, or a dis
elimination against Dakota of 6 cents
per cwt. Please don't let your
precious modesty prevent your pushing
these matters just little now. l hope
you are not too modest to draw your SAL
ary while waiting and watching