Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-01-12
HE SAYS FREIGHT
AGREEMENT EXISTS
J. Ross Clark of Salt Lake Route
Discusses Great Railway
Conspiracy Expose.
FIESTA FUND VERY SHORT.
All the Important News of the Week
In 'Thc City of the Angeles" and
Southern California,

Special Correspondence
Los Angeles Jan. 10.--fnterests of
every description in this city and all
over southern California are thorough
ly worked up over the developments Of
the interstate commerce commission
into the Hartman railroads merger
The surprise here Is the alleged condi-
ton of affairs existing In southern Cali
fornia between Hartman and the Salt
Lake Standardization Which are
vigorously denied by J. Ross Clark,
second vice president of the Salt Lake
Route and brother OF Senator W. A.
Clark, president of the company.
AS an offset to the charge that Sena-
tor Clark entered into an agreement
with Harriman-an agreement forced
by the latter-to maintain the same
freight rates as the Hartman lines for
80 years, j. Ross Clark says:
THAT is mistake. 1t is unfair to
say that we are bound TO observe the
same rates as the Southern Pacific. The
only agreement that has been made for
period OF 80 years is that the San
Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake rail-
way is to have the use of the Hartman
Oregon Short Line yards at salt Lake
City for that period OF time on per
cent basis. They must have twisted
that part of the agreement In report
ing the testimony before the interstate
commerce commission yesterday. AS
to freight rates, we have only az inter-
change agreement such as might be
made wish any railroad. We have an
agreement with the Santa Fe. 1t is
not a written one, as with the Harri-
man lines. but In no case are we bound
TO charge the "a
road, such as could be construed to be
I'm restraint of trade.
HARTMAN EQUAL OWNER.
Our freight interchange agreement
with the Southern Pacific is, as / re-
member it, such that 1t can be can
celled by us at six months or years
notice. The Southern Pacific does not
control our freight rate schedules now
nor has II ever controlled them.
1T is a well known fact that E. n.
Hartman and his associates own one
half the capital stock of the Salt Lake
road. The directorate Is evenly di-
vided. Mr.. Hartman never has at
tempted to dictate the policy of the Salt
Lake. He never has attempted to Sc
cure use of the funds OF the Salt Lake
for other railroad purchases. He did
not gain part ownership by threats, but
the Oregon Short Line, which he con-
trolls, had built as far as Caliente. and
two lines through that country would
be suicide to both, 1t is not true that
we had no eastern outlet except a .Har-
riman connection. We agreed because
1t was benefit TO all concerned"
RATES SHOW A COMBINE.
1.-THE freight rates of all the roads are
identical, which naturally suggests a
combine" said NJ A. Newmark of NJ
NJ, arb q, Nyl,n1pGa1a
of this city. THE entrance of the Salt
Lake Route into Los Angeles has not
resulted In freight rates being reduced
In any degree. so far as alleged compe-
tition among railroads is concerned,
II has resulted in no reduction of freight
rates"
RAILROADS ALWAYS DEAF.
THE coming of the Salt Lake Route
gave us but one advantage-additiona
facilities for transportation. There was
no change In rates. The Interstate
held here some time ago, did not re-
suit in any changes save that we now
are routing out fruit" said B. A.
Woodruff. manager OF the California
Fruit Growers exchange. Fruit ship
pers of southern California still are
paying the same rates that have pre-
vailed for 20 years"
while there may have been slight
changes in the freight iates in some
instances there has been no general adj
vance or reduction since he Salt Lake
built into Los Angeles" said member
of Haas, Baruch g. Co., wholesale
grooers. 1.-THE Southern Pacific, Santa
Fe and Salt Lake Route maintains the
same freight rates, but us it is mat
ter supposed to be governed by the in-
terstate commerce commission, we
have not concerned ourselves about IT,"
JOKING IN FACE OF DEATH.
II want a bed to die in," quietly re-
marked william Rayhen, 20 years old,
to the authorities at the Angelus hos
pital last Friday. He had taken dose
of strychnine with suicidal intent aud
died 20 minutes later, after laughing
and joking with the doctors who at
tempted to save his life. The suicide
WAS a student.
The growth of the Los Angeles post
Office Is nearing the record mark In
cities of the first class Money receipts
totaled 1929 .6Ss. 81 last year an increase
OF $2l0, 5s4.64 over the previous year.
Last month broke record, showing
receipts of s113.s67.A.
MEETING OF POLICEMEN.
The night squad OF 90 policemen at
the University sub-statlon refused the
other night to receive orders or serve
uuueT StTBednt w. -. tIalk, because
the latter had not refuted grave
charges against his character
City Attorney w. r. Mathews left for
New York city last Saturday night In
the interests of the Los Angeles aque-
duct. He will consult with Dillon a
Hubbard, bond experts regarding the
issuance of bonds amounting to nearly
$23.00O,000, for carrying out the owens
river water project
SHOWING WAS GOOD.
Although the building record for De-
cember fell considerably behind that
for any other month OF last year. the
showing for the full calendar year was
exceedingly good. The total number
of permits issued from Jan. 1 TO Dee.
81. 1906. was S.972 and the total valua-
ton was SlS,2bs,5 $50. This brings the
monthly average OF permits issued up
10 14S and the average valuation 10
Sl.5Sl.5s3. This is the best record ever
made IN the history OF Los Angeles
December was the only month I'm
which the value of new buildings fell
below the million-dollar mark, the
total for that month being s95O.445.
The number Of permits issued was sol,
which also was less than that for any
other month IN the year The records
for each of the preceding months. how
ever. had been so high that this falling
OFF had little effect on the general re-
suit.
The May Fiesta fund Ia very short.