The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-05
MEET THE FARMERS
Unique Discussion by HIPS Party
at Davenport, Wash.
REDUCTION OF RATES PROMISED
Building of New Cross Road Pledged
r u. j. Assails Rate leg
islation.

Spokane, Wash, Aug. 5.-One of the
most unique meetings in the history Of
railroading was held yesterday at Daven-
port, Wash, when the officials of the
great lines promised reduction in grain
rates. the building of new lines and other
concessions in the hope that hostility to
the Great Northern Northern Pacific mer
ger would be buried. ~ .'
Present at the meeting, at which mil
lions upon millions of dollars was repre-
sented, was President James j. Hill of the
Great Northern, President S. S. Mellen
of the Northern Pacific, A. L. Mohler OF
the Oregon railway & Navigation company
and host of lesser railway lights.
Pledges Made.
Among the promises made by these men
to the farmers and others present were
these:,s ~.
Grain rates will be reduced from all
points in eastern Washington, the reduc-
tion to take place in time to benefit the
farmers on this years crop. The amount
OF the reduction is not determined but 1t
will be from 1 to 2 cents bushel.
The Great Northern and the Central
Washington branch of the Northern Paci-
&c will be connected by a cross road from
central Washington, in Grand Coulee, to
Adrain on the Great Northern. 1t will be
eighteen miles in length and will cost
$500 and will be built as soon as the
surveys can be completed and the con-
tracts let. 1t may be completed before
Jan. 1.
The Northern Pacific will cease hauling
eastward to Spokane and thence west
ward to the coast, and will move it share
OF the tonnage to the terminus of the
Central Washington branch. There it will
be taken by the Great Northern and car
ried to Seattle instead of Tacoma, as
heretofore.
Hobnob With the Farmers.
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 remarked
he had not enjoyed himself so thoroughly
IN many a day and rubbed elbows with
wheat grower from the Egypt country and
another from the Cedar Canyon camp.
After dinner hundreds of persons gat h
cred around the railway presidents, shak-
Ing hands and listening to discussions.
Mr.. Hill talked farming and stock rails
ing. Mr.. Mellen elaborated on what must
be done for the farmers, and Mr.. Mohler
spoke of the immigration plans of the
Hartman roads.
All this was preliminary to the real
conference of the day. Mr.. Hill was the
only railroad president speaking at the
conference. He answered many questions,
the promises that had been made.
Attacks Legislation.
In his speech he vigorously attacked
legislation on railway rates, saying:
AS we'll attempt to set broken limb
by statutes as to adjust rates. You can
legislate until the barn doors rot off. The
best thing to do is to act as you have
here, with the officials. We will try to
act in such a way that you will realize
that we are doing something fair and in
good faith. ,r
What you want Is the highest price
from any store. You want new market.
You must make your people use your stuff.
Statesmen will tell us how to do this, but
they get a consideration for doing so.
cannot find in public acts one intelligent
thing that you have done to get new mar
kets. l don't know any place where you
have not been left to shift for yourselves
as farmers. You have crops that keep you
busy for four months in the year. You
want to do something the rest Of the time
besides whiting or holding down a nail
keg. What you should do is to raise
stock, roots, forage. There is nothing
better than raising stock"
Grain for Minneapolis.
The entire proceedings were character
lied by good spirit and there was much
good nature displayed.
The special train bearing the railroad
men and newspaper correspondents re.
turned to Spokane last night. Later the
party left for Colfax in the Palouse coun
try, where a similar conference is il
progress to-day. They have decided no
to hold third meeting at Walla Walla.
The conference may also take up tn
proposition of shipping Washington graf,
by the way Of Minneapolis, in case Pacifi
coast buyers should attempt to form
combine.