The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1907-10-18
RA|LROADCOKK|SS|ON
MET TO CONSIDER FREIGHT
RATES IN THE BLACK
HILLS.
QUIET MEETING AND NO DEcl-
SION REACHED OCTOBER
81 NEXT MEETING.

meeting of the railroad commits.
sion of South Dakota to consider the
freight rates in the state, west OF
the Missouri river, was held in the
Commercial Club rooms in Rapid City
Tuesday. Evidence was submitted
and both sides heard by the commits
sion, which then adjourned to meet
in regular session at Sioux Falls,
October 31st, at which time de-
cision will probably be reached.
The Northwestern was repre-
sented by A. G, Johnson, of Winona,
Mimi, general agent, and S. r. Mil
Ter, of Omaha, general freight agent
for the lines west of the river. The
Burlington was represented by G.
b. Spens, Omaha, general freight
agent; j. e. Kelby, Chicago, general
attorney, o. l.. Dickerson, Omaha, as
sistant superintendent of transpor-
tation; l.. NJ. Allen, Alliance, super
intendent of the Nebraska, Wyoming
and Black Hills lines; H. A. Pener,
Chicago, secretary of the general
freight department of the system,
and j. A., Leary, secretary to the
general freight agent. The Crouch
Lines We're represented by G. Id.
Crouch, president; G p. Cory, traf-
fic manager, and j. L. Soule. auditor.
The Milwaukee road was not repre-
sented.
The meeting was called to order at
1920 by Chairman Smith, of the
commission, who stated that the pur-
pose was to listen to any complaint
on the freight rates west of the river.
w. H. Tompkins, of Rapid City, a
former member of the commission,
on behalf of the Commercial club Of
this city, spoke as to the unjustness
of the rates as compared with those
east of the river in the state. He re-
ferred to the tariff schedules, show
ing that on 25-mile haul on class
five the rate was .0855 per hundred
east of the river and twelve cents
west on 50-miles it 1t .l125 east and
20 west, on 95 miles it is .1441 east
and .35 west, and on the 22O mile
haul it is .2295 east and $50 west.
He contended that all that the people
of the Hills were asking for was a
reasonable maximum rate and re-
ferred to the fact that because Of
high freight rates the products Of
the Hills were not seen very far out
on the prairies.
Attorney w. w. Soule gave his
ideas as to the Interpretation of the
rate law passed by the legislature of
1907 He stated that the interests
of Rapid City were identical with
every city west Of the river and that
there should be no discrimination
in the state.
Mr.. Kelby, for the Burlington,
stated that he had no answer to
make as their road had already sub
mitted to the commission their rate
sheets and reports.
Mr.. Johnson, for the Northwest
ern, stated that the line to Pierre
had cost in actual cash for construc-
tion more than 100000 per mile,
that the bridge over the Missouri
cost over $1,20O,0O0 and that there
were 494 bridges in the 165 miles.
He stated that in the making of rates
the difference in density of popula-
ton must be taken into consideration
and that an actual summing up on all
classes of freight would show that
the rate was but thirty-fiye per cent
higher west of the river. Referring
to the earnings of the Northwestern
in the state, he said that as yet a
net earning east Of the river Of only
SIS per mile was shown and that
that would pay but five per cent on
an investment of only $1,000 per
mile. Speaking of passenger traffic
he stated that by reason of the fact
that the eastern part of the state was
highly prosperous he expected heavy
travel west Of the river of homeseek-
ers and those desiring to see the
Hills.
Mr.. Tompkins was heard again and
he still contended that the difference
in the rates as he stated them were
correct. The commission then ad-
journed to two o'clock.
When the commission re-convened
at two O'Clock, Mr.. Clark, Of Lead,
was heard and he gave 1t as his
opinion that the rates in number OF
cases were entirely too high.
Mr. Johnson stated that in few
days a new coal rate would be put
on, in connection with the Burling-
ton and Crouch Lines, which would
be considerably lower. He asked the
business men of the city to get to-
gether and present to him just what
they wanted in the way of rates and
assured them that he would do every
tnlng in his power to satisfactorily
adjust the matter.
After hearing from l.. L. Ness, sec
retary of the Mitchell Commercial
club, and M. j. Scanlon, of Keystone
the commission adjourned
Tho Mountain Guide.
Enos "A. Mills. the mountain guide
who talks so Interestingly concerning
the value of trees, birds and nature
was born in Kansas and went In