The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-01-19

There is not much discussion now
regarding the bill to create a railroad
commission. introduced in the house
last week by Mr.. Morrison, for the
reason that the sentiment of the ship
pers and business men appears to be
so solidly against it that there is
no room for discussion. This is re-
garded as a critical time for the new
state and legislation having such
decided tendency to discourage capital
as it is alleged this measure presents,
coming just when important plans for
railway extensions are on the eve of
being carried out. is not looked upon
with favor
The strong argument that this leg
islation is really intended to meet
some evil that does not at present eX-
list, has already been presented, and
at the request of the press the rail-
roads have compiled the following
statement concerning adjustments
made in the recent past and showing
the present situation:
THE ADJUSTMENT IN '92.
Early in the year of 1892 the cham
Der of commerce through its secretary
commenced a suit against all railroads
west of the Missouri river for the pur-
pose of bringing about a readjustment
of freight rates to and from the ter
ritory of Utah; also against the South
ern Pacific company for readjust-
ment of its rates between the Pacific
coast and the territory of Utah. The
matter was not satisfactorily conduc-
ted by the secretary of the chamber
of commerce. and the business men of
Salt Lake City, being interested par
ties, thought it advisable to take the
matter into their own hands, and in
September of that year one of the
most prominent jobbers in this city
was elected chairman of the committee
of manufacturers, merchants, smelters,
miners and business men. He at once
entered into communication with the
officials of all the railways interested.
requesting a meeting between the rail-
way officials and the business men of
Utah be held in Salt Lake City early
in October stating that: 1T was by
our action that a stay of proceedings
was granted in the suit now pending
before the interstate commerce com
mission between the chamber of COM
merce and the various roads. We
interviewed because we believed we
could accomplish as much If not more
by presenting our claims to the otfi-
Gals Of the roads in a friendly, bust
ness-like way rather than by suit at
law. and we expect you will meet US
in the same friendly spirit. AS we
shall aim to make our demands Just
and reasonable we therefore confident
ly expect you will grant them and
thus restore harmony and good feel
ing between the business men of this
city and vicinity and yourselves. In
a short time the railway companies
responded. stating they would meet the
business men as requested early IN the
month of October. This meeting con-
rinued in session for several days,
where an exchange of views was had
and mutual concessions agreed upon;
rates were modified to the extent OF
% per cent. a saving to the merchants
of Utah amounting to about S6OO.O00
per annum.
While the general conference was in
session meetings were held between
the business men of Utah and the Of
f1cfals OF the local railways regarding
distributing rates from the Jobblng
centers. At these meetings mutual con-
cessions also followed, local rates being
reduced in many cases as much as 40
and so per cent. These conditions con-
tinued satisfactory and notifications
We're made in both through and local
tariffs from time to time as conditions
required.
ORE, FUEL, LUMBER.
Within twelve months the price Of
fuel has been reduced, as has also the
rate on bullion to the east Rates on
ore from the Tintic district to the
smelters in Utah valley have also been
reduced Rates on merchandise and
supplies from Salt Lake city to points
in southern Utah have been materially
lowered in order t. save the business
Of southeastern Nevada if possible for
the Utah merchants. Reduced rates
have also been made on ores from sta
tons in southern Utah to Utah smelt-
ers to enable mines located many
miles from the railway to continue in
operation, and for the benefit of the
same outlying districts merchandise
and fuel rates have been likewise low
cred. Rates on ore from northern min
ing camps TO the Utah smelters have
been materially reduced. likewise on
lumber from the Pacific northwest to
the various mining districts in this
state.
LAST YEARS BIC. CUT.
One of the most important reduc-
tons. however. was made in the month
of June 1895, when all rates from the
eastern and western markets to Utah
common points were cut below figures
desired by the most ardent business
men in the state; many of which were
below the lowest rates enjoyed at any
time at common points in the state Of
Montana short time after the re-
duction into Utah the rates into Mon
tana were materially advanced from
the east and west, thus giving Utah
jobbers greater and better protection
than they ever before enjoyed. In GER
tain territory in the north which Port
land, Ore, has monopolized for years
under a system of low rates, condi-
tons have changed. Rates from Port
land to said territory have been very
materially advanced, all to the benefit
and in favor of the Utah jobber.
SALT
Rates on salt have been so reduced