Arizona republican., 1908-05-20
TEMPE CONFERENCE
 OF COMMERCIAL CLUB
The Butte City Members and the Cantaloupe Men Listen to Report Of the Work Accomplished.

The members of the Maricopa coun- ty commercial club residing in Tempe and vicinity, held a very enthusiastic meeting last night in the Tempe board of trade room, the Cantaloupe Grow CTS association meeting jointly with the Commercial club. having mutual interest in the work of the latter to secure better freight rates The meeting like the one held in Phoenix the night before. was to give the southsiiers the opportunity Of listening to a full report of the late conference between the club directors and the railroad traffic officials IraI- fife Manager Jones read to the Tempe people the same report he read here the night before with incidental eN- plantations as he progressed.
 There was an informal discussion Of the freight rates on many commoul- ties both of export and import as one phase of the report or another brought them to the minds of the shipDers present. j. B. Cook the creamery manager and one of the most enthusiastic directors of the club took an active part in the proceedings as he has in all the club work from the beginning. MT Cook who was un- able t.. attend the Phoenix meeting. on that occa sion left q letter with Score tary Leeper which was read to the meeting. and which expressed not only his own willingness to work in any way he could for the clubs interest, but was replete with valuable and timely suggestions.
 The key note of the meeting last ni-ht was harmony Not only the harmony of local interests in their cooperation for a better condition of things. but a harmony of iSterests even between the club and the rail roads which profit most by the best development of the ccuntry adjacent to their lines. and contributing to the volume Of traffic.
 \ feature of the meeting last night was the presence of so many canta- lauue growers That industry is an important one not only to the south side but to the north side as we'll as there are two associations on each side of the river. The associations will profit much by cooperating with the club. It is understood that there has been no dissatisfaction with rates on shipments to present markets. but it is believed that new markets may be opened up through the medium of the club and its dealings with the rail- roads. Ar effort was made alos to arrive at an approximate idea Of the tonnage in the vicinity of Tempe the coming year. Another matter inquired into was that of adding to the list of commodities on which better incoming rates may be secured by making d proper showing. In the hurry of pre- pairing the list for the immediate use of the railroad men during their short visit. something's were naturally iVer- looked That list may be added to by any member Ur tlle club who k aware of ineqWties on anys freight shipped to the valley in car load lots and uot hitherto given consideration.
 It is pleasing to the club to note the interest the farmers on the south side are taking. and it is the expectation of the club that it will gain greater support than heretofore from the farmers on the north side as they are largely to be benefited by the openin 2 up of new markets for their produce.
 There will be a similar meeting held in Mesa City tonight for the benefit of the Mesa members and the shippers Of that locality.