Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-08-22

Will be granted by his company. As
soon as the plants for producing pig iron
are in operation ct other points, we are
satisfied that ali the railway companies
leading to such points viii give whatever
rates may he necessary to enable the
producers to send the product to the
| markets.
Now we have endeavored to fairly and
fully show you the condition of the rail-
roads in Texas, their poor financial con-
dition, the present bankruptcy of some
and the Strengthened circumstances of
all. We have shown that the rates now
prevailing are just of themselves, and as
| compared with those of other states
where the population is more dense and
business much greater, and the laws
more favorable, are certainly very low
and il unjust 10 any one are U1iast to IRE
roads themselves. It must bs4vident TO
you that the roads cannot sIayive any
material reduction of earnings#pd avoid
absolute bankruptcy, to say nothIug of
maintaining their efficiency for thasper
formance OF their duties as commofsear-
rierS. Still we desire to 90 as far asIjos-s
sible towards satisfying your demands,
believing You viii, as fair minded ISeHs
appreciate the condition of the roaaSs
The representatives of each line DreSsR &
has, therefore, expressed q Willingness
to make
SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTIONS
on the following articles in any event,
and while owing to the trust law, which
has not vet been interpreted by the
courts, we have not considered and do
not consider il safe to make any agree
ment among ourselves as to rates. Each
railway representative will meet the com
mittee and indicate such reductions rs he
can make on the articles herein enumer-
ated'
/. Referring again TO pig iron we think
it would tend most to foster the produc-
ton of this article in the state 90 make
the reduced rates apply only TO shipments
from points where pig iron is now pro-
duced or viii hereafter he produced, to
all other points in the state, instead of
making the reduction apply generally to
shipments from any other points i'll the
state. We are, however, willing
to discuss this question with
the committee and do what
viii best tend TO promote the growth of
this industry i'll the state.
,. AS Texas is largely an agricultural
state and it Is very desirable that the
farmers should adopt all modern i'm
der to encourage such adoption and
cheaper the same TO the farmers we think
it would be well to make a considerable
reduction on agricultural implements,
although our present rates on these arti-
cles are below the average of rates III
other Southern states.
3. We also understand that complaint
is made that production OF onions and
potatoes in this state is retarded by the
fact that rates are now too high TO JUS
tify producing and shipping them to
market in this state at any distance from
the producing point. For this reason,
we think that it would foster the plant
ing and production of those articles in
the state to make a material reduction in
rates from the local rates.
4. Referring to the cotton factory pro-
ducts, known IL Texas as cotton piece
goods, we find by comparison that the
rates now prevailing in Texas are higher
than the rates in some of the other
Southern states. While the greater pro-
duction of those articles and the increased
tonnage furnished to the railroads in those
states justify them on business principles
IN making lower rates, at the same time,
in order to encourage this industry in the
state and to induce the construction and
proper that material reduction be made
from the present rates on these products
Considering the present amount of the
tonnage OF all the articles referred to, in
this state, and the risk to be incurred in
handling the same, with the exception Of
pig iron we think that the present rates
are not too high; but ct the same time,
in order TO foster their production, we
believe that the railways in the state
generally are willing to make the rates
so low, if necessary, that they VIII no
more than compensate the roads for the
actual cost of transportation leaving no
profit whatever &c the roads Tor handling
them.
We VIII now say that If it can be
shown that there are any other special
products of the state the production of
which can be materially encouraged or
rapidly increased, we are Wiling 20 dis
cuss those articles with the committee or
any citizen of Texas, and If il can be
shown that if is necessary to have lower
rates to encourage production of the
same, we are confident that the railways
of the state generally, acting for them
selves, viii make such rates.
We now trust that this committee, and
through them the people Of Texas, will
of present and past earnings it is i'm
possible for the railways of the state
to make any general reduction in present
rates, but that still We have always been
and now are willing to make such rates
on particular articles as are necessary to
foster and secure that production IN the
state, while we cannot, as often urged
upon you, make reductions III rates upon
articles and products generally which
result in any material decrease in the
present earnings of the roads. "A
= We now desire to invite the people of
gkas. thgplgh you, and each individual
cftzzen oFthessessss WHO has hereafter any
conpsaint against any p5sF'ttieI,laF railway
or railWNsas, instead of making general
assertions EstO the injustice and oppres-
sions of pI'esent rates, to address his
complaint in S7stter directed to the gen
eraI freight agsHtof the particular road
or roads egains5A8 hich such complaint
exists, with the assurance that the same
will receive propefa>promp attention,
and a courteous replys. and that where
such. complaint is wefEs3ounded, if it is
possible to do so we believe that the par
ticuIar railway or raiIWafs. in question