Gilpin observer., 1902-08-07
LOWER GRArRATE
RESULT o. CONFERENCE BE.
,TWEErJ.J. J. HILL AND FARMERS.
OJd-F ashfoned Country Dinner is Held
at Davenport, Waahinston-Rai;.
way Presidents Enter Heartily Into
Spirit of the Occasion.

Spokane, Wash, Aug. 5.-Grain
rates will be reduced from all points
in eastern Washington and the reduc.
tion will take place in time to benefit
the farmers on this years crop. The
amount of ~eduction is not yet deter
mined, but conjecture ran from ] to .
cents per bushel. The Great NORTH
ern and the Central Washington
branch Of the Northern Pacific VII
be connected by cross road. AS
result Of this arrangement the North
ern Pacific will cease hauling grain
eastward to Spokane and thence west
ward to the coast and will move It's
share of the tonnage to the terminus
of the Central Washington branch.
There 1t will be taken by the Great
Northern and carried to Seattle, In
stead of to Tacoma. as heretofore
These announcements were made by
President Mellen of the Northern Pa
cific at Davenport yesterday
Hill Enjoys Himself.
The occasion was unique in the his
tory of American railroading. Thre,
railway. presidents, In response to
petition from the leading farmers OF
the Big Bend country, had assembled
at the county seat of Lincoln county
to hear their case. plead their own
interests and tender argument. They
were James j. Hill, president of the
Great Northern and Northern Securi-
ties company; President CsS. Mellen
of the Northern Pacific and President
A. l.. Mohler of the Oregon Railroad
and Navigation lines of the Hartman
system. With them were group Of
lesser railroad notables. Public ad-
dresses were delivered by the three
presidents. Then adjournment was
taken to the armory, where an old
fashioned country dinner was served
to the railway guests and visitors
from the surrounding country. The
presidents entered heartily into the
spirit of the occasion. Mr.. Hill depos-
tied his hat under his chair, remarked
that he had not enjoyed himself so
thoroughly in many day and rubbed
elbows with wheat grower from tho
Egypt country and another from the
Cedar Canyon camp.
After dinner hundreds of people
gathered around the railway presi-
dents, shaking hands and listening TO
spirited discussions. Mr.. Hill talked
farming and stock raising. Mr.. Mel
len elaborated on his previous an
nouncement and Mr.. Mohler spoke OF
the immigration plans of the Harri-
man roads.
Hundreds Listen to Discussion.
-,
conference of the day. Various coun-
ties and districts had sent delegates
to the convention, and after dinner
these delegates reassembled in the
convention hall and through their
spokesmen laid their wishes before
the railway presidents. The spectacle
was impressive. The large hall was
packed to the doors and scores Of
farmers, fruit growers and miners
stood in the aisles. Many sat on the
carpeted floor. Earnestness was
stamped upon their features and earn
estness ran through all their speech
Is. Mr.. Hill was the only president
speaking at This conference. He an
swered many questions from time to
time, offered numerous voluntary ex.
plantations OF matters that seemed all
wrong to the farmers and repeatedly
asked the farmers to speak out their
beliefs and convictions. He was fire.
quently applauded. The entire pro-
ceedings were characterized by good
spirit and there was much good na.
ture in the badinage.
Il am getting to be an old man." re-
years to live. II I accomplish all
have set out to do, things must move
with celebrity"