Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-04-28
A VITAL QUESTION
Which Concerns the Interests of
Mineral Point.


Mr.. David B. Jones contributes to
the Tribune of this week the following
letter which fully explains itself and
which deserves the thoughtful cousid-
Grafton of our citizens:
April 26, 1904.
Editor OF the Tribune, Mineral Point,
Wis:
Dear Slr-My attention has been
called to an article in your issue of
April 81, entitled "Only a Railroad
Scarecrow.
am not interested in the contest
now being carried on in Wisconsin
except as it may affect the manufactur-
ing interests of the state. | do not
believe In threats or intimidation, but
! do believe the people should be fully
and honestly informed as to the facts
OF the case.
1t il proposed to establish a com
mission to equalize and adjust rail-
road rates. THAT M Fans TO
RAISE THE LOW COMMODITY
RATES AND LOWER THE GEN
ERAL TRAFFIC. RATES.
1t is too often taken for granted
that corporation doing a large
business can adjust itself to indefinite
burdens in the way OF taxes and rail
road tariffs. This is not true. The
commodity rates which the Mineral
Point Zinc company enjoys have been
carefully considered, and they were
granted only because the necessities
Of the situation called for them. For
example: Dust coal is hauled for the
Mineral Point Zinc company at a very
low rate. Without this rate, it would
be cheaper to haul the ore out OF the
state to some point where coal could
be had at less cost, and where the
manufactured product would be near
or the market, and so not subject to
an additional freight burden. This is
merely an illustration.
Is it not to the advantage of Miner
al Point to have an industry estab-
lished and maintained there, even if
the commodity rates which it enjoys
are very low, rather than have it
destroyed, as 1t would be by equalized
or ad iusted rates? The zinc industry
Is no exception. What would take
place at Mineral Point would take
place, under equalized rates, in many
other cities and manufacturing cen
ters throughout the state.
If these industries are made impos-
sible, or even If their numbers are
decreased by the enforcement of the
equalized rates, is it likely that the
railroads can then afford to carry the
products of the farm and mine at II
lower rate than Is now charged? Les
sened traffic means higher cost Of
transportation. The policy OF equal
izing rates-if carried out-would
certainly lessen traffic and would
lessen the diversity OF interests, and
SO would add to the cost OF carrying
what traffic remained. This result
would be no less detrimental to the
railroad companies than to the gcner-
al development Of the state. 1t is
entirely question for the people Of
Wisconsin to determine, whether they
wish " diversity Of manufacturing
interests or more exclusively agri-
cultural development, That is their
business and not mine. | am con-
cerned only with the maintenance of
conditions that will make 1t possible
for us TO continue our industry at
Mineral Point.
| have tried to state the point rs
| see IT., and it is only to this extent
that feel warranted in adding TO the
discussion now going on.
Very truly yours,
DAVID b. JONES.
Mr. Jones Is n man of largo bust
ness interests and of wide experience,
and especially is he q tried and true
friend of Mineral Point. His posi-
tion is we'll taken, and his calm and
convincing words ought to stand
against those professional politicians
who have stirred up and are keeping
alive the present ill-advised railway
rate agitation.