El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-10-16
IMPORTANT Meeting
OF SHIPPERS, JOBBEQS, AND ALL
INTERESTED, TONIGHT
To Discuss Freight Rates s-Sensd-
tionaI Disc osures BY Judge
Hunter-A Contemplated Raise


The transportation committee of the
chamber of commerce met last night
and listened to ar eport from Judge
Hunter. who said that while in Chicago
lately he had been told that a move
ment was on foot among the railroads
to raise the freight rate 20 per cent on
all classes of goods shipped to Ell Paso.
This news somewhat alarmed the
members of the committee. especially
when President Freudenthal stated
that Mr.. Darbyshire had acknowledged
to him that there was indeed a move
as had been reported.
1t was therefore agreed TO take such
steps as were possible to thwart the
contemplated action of the railways.
for it was admitted by all that the
damage done to Ell Paso would be ex-
tremely great.
After a prolonged discussion it was
agreed that Chairman Browne and
Secretary Russell prepare letter to
the three trunk lines connecting Ell
Paso with the east. and forward the
same to the general freight agents of
these roads. Accordingly the follow
ing letter was mailed last night:
We have received Information
that material increase in freight
rates into FL Paso from eastern points
is contemplated. if indeed not already
decided upon. by the responsible
freight managers of the various rail-
roads. : special meeting of the trans
portation committee of the El Paso
Chamber of Commerce was held today
to consider this matter, and after a
lengthy discussion it was decided to
address a letter to the freight agent OF
each of the eastern trunk lines into
FL PaSo. earnestly demonstrating
against the proposed increase. if con-
templated. In support of our protest
we beg to say:
Material advance of rates a year or
more ago. and of classification more re-
Gently. were accepted without protest
by this city. although such increase
undoubtedly initiated seriously against
the mercantile interests OF FL PaSo.
An investigation of the rates into, in
connection with the rates out of Ell
Paso. will undoubtedly convince you
that there are now SO many lines of
goods which the FL Paso jobber cannot
ship into contiguous territory. that the
if il does not altogether destroy the
jobDing interests in this place. And
as your knowledge of the surrounding
country will show you the interests of
this city are of necessity so largely
commercial that serious injury to the
city's iobbing interest can but result
in serious injury to the city itself that
that present healthy growth of the city
will under such policy be largely re-
tarded If not entirely stopped: and
that the increasing revenues desired
by your company not only from goods
consumed in the city proper but also
from goods re-Shipped will be reduced
rather than increased by such policy
We trust that further investigation
VIII satisfy YOU that the proposed in
crease in rates will not result at most
in more than temporary advantage to
NoGr company. and we hope that YOU
viii allow no increase in the rates now
effective. from which your company
nov derives "A liberal revenue"
1t is understood that the three roads
in question contemplated making the
rates to Ell Paso the same as they now
are from st. Louis to Maria
The present rates to Ell Paso from
S1.42: I'd class. s1.27: third class.
S1.15; fourth class $l.10. An increase
of twenty per cent would mean SI.67.
Sl.i3. S1.29. and S1.21
Tonight meeting of the shippers
of FL Paso and all others interested
viii be held at the chamber to take
action toward securing equitable
freight rates for FL Paso and TO thwart /
if possible the threatened action of the |
railroads. The meeting will be a high |
ly important one and should be largely |
attended.