The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-31

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better freight rates for local dealers
were not confined to mining machinery.
other lines were benefited, although
not 10 the same extent on all Glasses OF
goods. This victory from the railroads
was won after a continuous warfare Of
over three years. The problem OF
freight rates is alw VS. a complicated
one. In Utah it is especially compli-
Gated at this time, in view OF the cam
paign just inaugurateo for the, estab-
lishment Of new industries. Naturally,
these new industries are opposed to
the importation of Eoods in their lines
at low freight rates, while they are
anxious 10 have the raw material laid
down at the lowest possible figure.
Condensed milk is a case in point An
EFFORT vas made to have this commod-
tty tStd down in Utah points at a low
rate. Here stepped I'm the representa-
tives Of the Utah condensed milk fac
tories, asserting that this would mean
a discrimination against them, and
that infant industries at home should
be protected. The interests of the
manufacturer and the consumer come
into conflict at this point, and this con-
ftct or interests enters into almost ev-
cry item on every schedule suggested.
The schedule adopted last March-the
one which has been in operation ever
since-is considered the best compro-
mise that could be reached. There will
be minor changes from time to time,
but it is thought that the main features
will remain for years, until after other
railroads have entered the city as COM
petitors for freight business at least.
Expected Influence of New Railroads.
Shippers here as elsewhere are not
overlooking the revolution certain to
take place in wholesale and Jobbing
business as the result Of the construc-
ton OF new railroads. Salt Lake mer-
chants are especially interested in this
phase Of the subject. The Western Pa
cific, now under construction, Is GER
tain to open up a large territory in the
west to Salt Lake merchants. At the
same time it is certain TO bring
San Francisco into more direct
competition in a large part. OF
the territory to the west. In like man
ner, the opening Of the Moffat road be-
tween Salt Lake and Denver will open
up a rich territory to the east; but
every inch of this territory must be
fought for by the merchants OF the
two cities. The same Will be true OF
the Burlington, reported to be building
Into Salt Lake from a point IN Wyo-
ming. Local merchants welcome all
such competition and are ready to meet
competitors at least halfway. They
insist, however, that they must have
an even start in the race and that they
must not be handicapped by discrim-
mating freight rates. The branch lines
that will open out from these trunk
lines will bring extensive business to
Salt Lake merchants. They are expe-
riencing something in this line now
from the new territory opening up in
Nevada in the country crossed by the
Salt Lake Route.
Total Runs Above 100000.
1t is not always easy to secure re-
liable figures on the amount of whole
sale and jobbing business done in Salt
Lake. This is especially true now
when such a large volume of mer-
chandise is ordered direct from the
factory or eastern shipping point to
common points in the Salt Lake terri
tory. The most reliable information
that can be secured from local mer-
chants in the different lines who trans
act a large portion of the business
places the total for the year Just closed
at upward Of $40, 000 600. Groceries
stand at the head of the list as in for
mer years. This is uue in part to- the
fact that the beet sugar made in Utah
masses through the hands of local deal
ers on its way to market tiF
Feeling among the leaders in local
business circles is 10 the effect that
the outlook for Salt Lake as jobbing
and shipping point could not well be
improved. There is prosperity in all
the territory around this city, and IL
seems that an era of wonderful de-
Yelopment has set in. This Is in part
due to Failroe development, in part
to the tremendous irrigation work un-
dertaken by the general government,
but in greater ~art to the general pros
perity in the mining camps of Utah and
surrounding states, and on the farms
and ranches where better methods OF
stock raising and farming are bring
ing their rewards. The unusual devsI~.
opment in Idaho is making itself felt.
especially in wholesale circles ia Salt
lake.