The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-07-12
RICH'S POSITION.
Why lie Signed the Petition For
More Time.
Commissioner Sears Replies in Tones thai
Are Not Uncertain, and 'Justa
Trihe Caustic

E. E. Rich. of the Peoples Forwarding
company, does n5t like the method By
which il was made to appear that he was
heartily IL favor.of a postponement of the
investigation By the inter state commerce
committee. Asked for an explanation yes
terday. Mr.. Rich said:
I'VE were approached by an agent of the
railway company and asked for our sigma
ture for a delay of the investigation, when
we at once notified the party that we were
on the other side with our full sympathy
and that we stood WIDELY and solely with
the chamber OK commerce in this matter.
The answer made was that IL was impossi-
bic TO get the traffic managers Of the differ
ent lines OF the eastern connections to
take action quick enough in this
matter, and that a reduction of ali
rates was 10 be made at once into Colorado
and az soon as that result wss brought
about, that new schedule of rates was to
be brought into the territory Of Utah in
compliance with your request. Saying it
would be much better for the railway
company 10 bring these results in an
amicable way than ii would be TO force
them, stating at the same time that they
would have to apply for a continuance or
extension Of time, and that IL would only
antagonize them, and they would then
ttt4L~LC
Ii the extension was granted they would
meet with an arbitrating committee Of the
merchants Of this territory ana concede
all points in justice to both parties.
Under the above conditions and repre-
sensations TO me, ] signed the petition for
an extension Of time.n
Mr.. Rich sent communication to Sec
rotary Sears of the chamber OF commerce
embodying the above ideas and received
this in reply:
DEAR SIR-Your favor OF even date 70 hand.
The information being Of public interest 1 will
give il as much publicity as possible There
are two reasons why the contents should be
made public one being that your position upon
this matter may be understood and the other is
that the public may have the gratifying infor-
nation ii contains in reference to the assur-
ance YOU received from the representative OF
the railroads that they were voluntarily going
there are shippers here, however, who are so
incredulous as not TO place the most implicit
confidence Ia the promises cfreduceu rates II
such IS the intention OF the transportation
companies why should they ask ninety days
postponement Of the cases now pending before
the Interstate commerce commissions This
does not seem a necessary. preliminary 10 such
movement. Then again, these assurances
are not in accord with the recent record of
the companies. For instance at a transport
tation meeting held on May 10 in New York the
Rock Island & Pacific railroads proposed re-
duction OF Utah rates. which we are informed
was fought by the very roads now promising the
reductions-to Salt Lake city shippers The ac-
ton OF the two roads above named was after
wards referred TO the board OF commissioners
which sustained the action OF the meeting in
I sitting down" upon The proposition for reduc-
tl0ns This would indicate that this display of
4 generosity is Of very recent growth, and If q
change OF heart has really come is there not
some potent reason for IT, II the rest Of Salt
Lakes shippers viii join issue with the few
who signed the petition last week, asking for
/ postponement OF our cases. and the commits
sioners should act favorRbly TO the rail-
roads In the matter The probability is that
many moons VIII wane before reasonable rates
are put into eject for this city. The proper
thing for the representatives Of The railroads TO
do now would be TO present to our merchants a
petition asking that the chamber Of commerce
suits now pending before the interstate com
/. we're managing their side OF the controversy,
this would be my next move. II there are to be
found prominent shippers who are willing 10
petition for ninety days extension OF the
present excessive fl ight rates, a petition for
making the present condition OF things pprma-
nenf would most likely find some signers il ac-
companled with the persuasive elCouence OF
the former one. In conclusion. allow me 10 say
/ have no wish 10 impuen your motives, but l
am forced to the conclusion that IL was unwise
TO sign the petition referred TO- Il was an act
OF gross dlscourtesy towards the chamber Of
commerce. 1t creates the impression abroad
that the chamber is lacking the moral support
OF number OF large shippers ia its efiorts to
secure relief from lbe expressions OF the trans-
portation companies which impression il err
roneous. as ! am convinced that we have the
hearty and active support OF all the merchants
OF the city, except those who are in receipt Of
illigitemate iavors from the railroad com
panies. S. W SrABs
Commissioner