El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-17
They Will Stand Together
to Secure Favorable
Freight Rates.
ROUSING MEETING
At the Chamber Of Com
merce, the Best Of
the Kind Ever
Held Here.

One of the most important meetings
of business men on record in this city
was held last night at the chamber
of commerce and its results Will be far
reaching if The plans there laid are
carried out.
The meeting was ostensioly called
for the purpose of securing a more
equitable freight rate outof Ell Paso
but in the meantime a rumor had
been circulated that the three railroads
connecting this city with the eastern
markets were about to raise the rate
into Ell Paso. This rumor after it
had been confirmed by Il railway man
present. changed somewhat the tenor
of the meeting and served to more full
ly awaken shippers to a realization of
their condition.
After long and sometimes heated
discussion resolution was introduced
by 4. Krakauer which provides united
work on the part of the shippers and
for the appointment of a first class
railroad man at salary of $4,000 or
more to give his whole time to the
work of securing rates both out and
in
This means the establishment. un-
der the auspices of the chamber of
commerce of an up to date freight
bureau by FL Pasos merchants and
may be regarded as the first step to-
ward making this city a man ifacturing
and distributing point for a long
stretch of territory now tributary to
Denver. St. Louis. Dallas and else
where.
Last nights gathering was COM
posed of about 100 representative busi-
local railroads.
The Proceedings.
The meeting was called to order by
President Walz. of the chamber of
commerce. who briefly summarized its
original object but explained that
since the call was issued unexpected
news had been received concerning n
conspiracy to raise rates
Chairman Browne of the transporta-
ton committee was called on to ex-
plain the nature and significance Of
the rumors that had reached the ears
of the transpor tation committee.
He said it had been suggested as
remedy that the chamber of commerce
employ competent man 20 investi-
gate fully and see what arrangements
could be made to bring such pressure
to bear on the various railroads so
that they might see that the shippers
OF Ell Paso meant business. He said
the kind of man needed would cost
would be expected to subscribe He
urged unanimous action on the part of
all shippers.
4. Krakauer said: II understand
that the idrect cause of calling this
meeting was because the railroads had
been reported by a man lust returned
from Chicago to have combined for
the purpose of raising rates into FL
Paso." Mr.. krakauer asked that the
railroad men present tell what they
knew about tie scheme and President
WalZ called On Mr.. HoughtCn of the
Santa Fe. He said there were some
grounds for confirming the rumor.
for. he continued. our people have
had an advance of freight rates under
consideration for some time. We think
the rates on certain lines are too low.
President WalZ:-The object of this
meeting was To get better rates out of
FL Paso but if there is going TO be a
raise into FL Paso we will kick.
b. +. Darbvshire was asked how his
road stood on the question.
We have 10 new tariff sheet yet.
said he. and I'd like to see this COM
mittee work along the lines for which
il was appointed" Laughter
President Walz:-In other words
Mr.. Darbyshire doesn't want us to put
any obstacle in the way of the raising
o. rates.
Chairman Browne made another talk
in which he suggested that the first