Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-15
"A DANGEROUS LETHARGY.
Seine Points For Consideration Of the
Board of Trade,

To the Editor of the BEE. To one who will
study the situation, the listess indifference
of our community in its relations to the rail
roads controlling the in and out-freight rates
upon which we so largely depend, is unac-
countable and simply appalling. In place of
exhibiting that lively sympathy which might
reasonably be expected to exist in efforts to
secure the successful solution of a problem
of such vital Importance, we find, with
rare exceptions, a condition of total
apathy and a strongly marked
indisposition on the part of the
large matoritv to 49,: any expression of in
terest whatever. A few resoute spirits are
battling for the right; yet, even when backed
by the power of IL united press, their best
efforts fail to arouse the slightest cooperation
from those who appear completely lulled in a
false sense of security, and are so unwilling
to be disturbed.
1t is high time for our citizens to arouse
and shake off the lethargy which surrounds
them, to investigate the condition of affairs
and join i'll united demand for the legal con-
trol of those hostile interests which are i'm
perilling our very existence.
Statistics show our jobbers and manufac-
turers to have swollen their sales during
the past year to over 70,000000
of dollars. Examine the freight tariffs as
they stand to-day, and have stood for nearly
a month past Contrast the enormous ad-
vantages they proffer the city of Chicago in
its absorption of the traffic of our state, with
the thoroughness with which our own city of
Omaha is ignored and deprived of ability to
do business outside her own corporate limits
OF the S70,000,O 900 in reference S45, ZOO, 900 is
due to the jobbing trade. Let the present
rate schedules continue, and will any sane
man contend that the coming year will en-
able them to present any such exhibit:
Rather will they have cause for congratua-
ton if they can show at the CLOSE of 'SS gross
sales of One-tifth of that amount. 1t may be
asserted, as an Offset to this presentation of
the case, that we are turning our attention to
the encouragement and establishment of man
ufacturimg establishments and will find com
pensating advantages in them. Is this is not
beginning at the,wrong end. How can 1t be
possible to secure their location here, when
every consideration of interest inspired by Il
business-like Investigation of rate competi-
tion as compared with other cities will only
result in demonstrating To the intelligent
operator that he must in justice to himself To-
cate elsewhere.
The first and most overwhelmingly impor-
tant question to-day before the board Of trade
should be the equalization of freight rates
between Omaha and eastern cities notably
Chicago. Every other effort should sink into
relative insigniiicance until this great prob
lem is solved When your coal merchants,
your lumber dealers and your jobbing trade
generally are harrassed and crippled by dis
eliminating freight tariffs, made solely in the
interests of rival business centers, is it the
time for real estate, for capital or in TACT
every local enterprise calling for brains and
money, to stand by in stolid Indifference
Can they not recognize their interests being
in jeopardy, or must we wait for conviction
to reach them until we are forced to look
upon a long procession OF keen, bright, busi-
ness men moving westward in the pursait of
their calling and deserving city, no longer
appreciatDg them at their true value as
prime factors in that cty's success viii
there then be found those bold enough in the
face of capital thus withdrawn and with
empty warehouses begging for occupancy,
meeting them at every turn to claim for any
other element of Omaha's present prosperity
an ability to secure us from the evils that
will necessarily follow This is 10 over
drawn picture, but one well worthy the most
earnest attention and intelligent action on
the part of those having the best interests of
Omaha at heart. FAIR PLAY.