The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1903-10-29
WE WILL. IRRIGATE.

WE WILL IRRIGAIE.
The Question Assumes Shape ina
North Dakota Convention.
Prssaasat James ]. nM Dsaivsrs AAaxsp
Bearing - The lGassss. A 0sgaal-s
+ aataoa Eee0eA - Reach the
DssirsA Results.
Bismarck, n. D., Oct. 10.-A new ks
rigation congress, primarily state
organization, but indirectly affecting
the entire northwest, was formed,
mere to-day, and while only . pre-
liminary organization was formed,
the session today was perhaps the
most important Of the two days
meeting because Of the presence Of
James j. Hill, president Of the North
ern Securities company, and q party
of friends who arrived shortly after
noon today, and Mr.. Hills address TO
the delegates which was delivered
late this afternoon.
At the morning session, after the
temporary organization was Effected
letter from Senator Hansbrough Of
North Dakota ON the subject of irri-
CATION was read and H. c. Plumley
presented the report of the delegates
from Ogden, showing the advantages
which have accrued to the waste
places Of Utah and other states from
Irrigation.
The report urged the convention TO
work in every way possible for the
expenditure of North Dakota's irriga-
ton fund within the border Of the
state. After some discussion Of the
question. at issue, the delegates Id
journed to hear the address OF Mr..
Hill.
Mr.. Hill first referred to the fact
that II was thirty -three years ago
that he first crossed the Red river
into what is now the state OF North
Dakota and pointed out the marvellous
way in which the state has since de-
velopel, questioning if any other
state in the union could show 10
much progress in so short length
of time. Referring to the Great
Northern railway. he stated that the
mileage of the system had increased
miles in 1903.
"Now. here" said Mr.. HUI. "is the ma
terial growth Of the Northwest. In 1852
we moved 100. 900 tons Of freight: In
1903 We hauled 1s.14s.00o tons. or an In
90 4 n WAN
years. In 1882 our rate for carrying .
ton Of freight-that Of the average rate
over the whole line, 100 miles was $3.t1.
In 1892 1t was 9l.21 and In 1903 It = 81
cents. which Ii one third Of what the
rate was twenty-one years ago. Had the
company received the same average rate
per ton per mile in 1908 a. in 1852. It
would have collected so. 1890. 100, as
freight earnings during the past year,
while actual collections were x30,9lS. 600.
a decrease through the reduction OF
freight rates Of $5S,904.S75. s
That means that II the rate Of TWEEN
ty-one years ago had been in force you
pay the cost Of cultivating the soil and
Of paying us for carrying 1t to the mar
kets.
..The reduction In freight rates has
been brought about by increasing the
volume Of trafic; that 10 We have cre-
ated new tranic by making 1t possible for
| men to cultivate the soil and raise crops
| which we carry to market. Before you
can ret the trafllc you must make Il and
want you to bear In mind that what
ever benefits you directly or indirectly:
| whatever gives you pleasure. directly or
indirectly, win in almost every case put
money into our treasury.
:'You have SO many stations on the
lines of the Great Northern. do not
or n<H fS,Aa tv, 80
Although I believe lam charged with
knowing about all the railroads north Of
| st. Louis. But have been busy all the
| time trying to take care Of our own lines.
It used to be a rare occasion that any
| station would exceed. in revenue In any
year. 100000. Now there are 30 many In
| North Dakota that cannot count them
| without referring to a book.
'.T0 reduce the cost Of transportation
IN the face Of continual increases In
wages and advances in prices Of ma
| terial, the only way was to increase the
work done by each train md 30 to re-
:eive large increase for the train mile
These figures appeal to me by reason
II their magnitude. and ! am glad to tell
| YOU right here that You In North Da-
sota are able to send your grain to. mar
ket at lower freight rate than they are
able to In western Iowa.
II took up the schedule Of freight rates
| Of one of the transcontinental lines south
II us, one Of the lines that struggled hard
o get the Northern Pacific because this
,ountry was growing too fast, and found
hat their rate is $1.06 for transporting
ton of freight 100 miles. Our rate u IS
| cents.
"Take the big lines running out Of Chi
cago-I don't care which one you take
he Chicago & Northwestern, for in
stance, and you will hnd that although
| m older line than We are, 1t Is paying a
aigher rate of interest than we are.z or
| shan the Northern Pacific as well.
speak Of that to show you that we mean
| what we say when we say that your in
crest Is out interest, your prosperity is
sur prosperity and our injury your In
| Jury. -
"The prosperity Of the railway COM
| ,anies and the prosperity Of the people
II North Dakota must: go up together and
20 down together. You cannot injure the
,eople without inturing the railways.
When you injure us you injure your
| selves.
Suppose case--and there are many
UGH Extraordinarily we get into
court IN q physical injury case, although
/ We never mean to and always offer; to