The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-03-09
FREIGHT RATES.
Madison Not In Position to Make De
mands Competition and Other Fav-
orable Conditions Necessary.

orable Conditions Necessary.
III. e. PIerpont, division freight and
passenger agent OF the Milwaukee road,
is In the city looking after his business
interests, and also discussing freight
rates with the Madison shippers. A
DAILY LEADER reporter passed q social
half hour with Mr.. Pierpont at the Lake
Park this morning. Socially he is a very
genial companion, and when it comes TO
discussing railroads, especially the ship
ping department, he is thoroughly at
home. In regard to the complaints
having been made by Madison business
men concerning freight rates, Mr.. Pier
pont says the matter has received the
serious attention OF the officers OF the
company. Madison is regarded by the
company as the very best town on the
8. M. division. II is designated "a local
point" in that the Milwaukee company
is the exclusive carrier to this place.
Complaints from "a local point" on their
line, said Mr.. Pierpont, attract the at.
tention OF the officers more than COM
plants from ''a junction point for the
reason that whatever feeling may exist
is directed solely against the Milwaukee
company. Freight rates are established
ON systematic basis. In this locality
this basis is founded at Sioux Falls
where competition and other conditions
for which the Milwaukee company is not
responsible exist. The rate is gradually
graded up from this standpoint. Mad
ison being destitute of these favorable
conditions, must necessarily submit to
her share OF the upgrade" in rates as
against Sioux Falls or any other town
possessing these more favorable condi-
tions. So far as making any change IN
the Madison freight rates now existing.
MIR. Pierpont says it is next to impossible
for the Milwaukee, as an individual
company, 10 do anything. The general
freight traffic is regulated according TO
the condition OF things that EXIST in
given localities, and by directory Of
the several roads whose ixterests are
identical in specified field. IL any
change affecting Madison was made, it
would necessitate q change In the
entire tariff system OF the road
in this section, embracing large
field, and this change could not be made
by the Milwaukee company without the
consent of other roads interested. Mr..
Pierpont demonstrates by system OF
figures that Madison is getting all her
rights In the premises, taking into ac-
count geographical location and other
conditions considered in the establishing
OF freight rates. Madison cannot hope
to have the same rates as Dell Rapids
for the reason that she is located farther
away from the carrying center. Again,
the amount of freight distributed from
given point has something to do with
the rates, and in this particular Sioux
Falls possesses advantages, and so do all
other commercial centers OF considerable
Importance.
According to this view OF the case
Madison's remedy does not rest with the
Milwaukee company, but broader field
must be opened which viii include the
securing of additional railroad facilities,
especially in the line or composition,
and by bringing about favorable con.
ditions incident to larger field Of opera
tions. Madisons natural facilities are
sunerior TO those OF the average western
town, and these advantages must be de-
veloped to the extent Of being able to
make demands instead or requests for
lower freight rates, etc.
Elderly people remember their spring
bitters with a shudder. The present