Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1908-12-18
RENO COMMERCIAL CLUB.

RENO COMMERCIAL CLUB,
RENO, Nevada. Nov. 81, 1908.
GENTLEMEN:
For many years the growth and pros
perity of the State of Nevada, and tina
portion of California east of the Sierr;
range, have been retarded and hel'
back, and the cost of living made I'm
necessarily high by the unjust, exceS
sive and discriminative rates of frcigh'
charged to all parts of the state; no
only on the n~ecessarics Of life but OIL
everything that tends to the making
and upbuilding of the state.
All efforts to have the freight rates
to the state reduced so rs to permit it:
people to prosper and the different com
munities within the state To grow have
so far been ignored, and TO use the ex'
preston published in one of the leading
California daily papers, said to have
emanated from the San Francisco
Merchants Exchange, while we admit
that Nevada is charged exorbitant and
unjust rates of freight, yet, We have
the state by the throat, with Il stranglc
hold, and do not propose to release that
hold"
Some months ago the citizens of Reno,
backed by the Commercial Club, petit
toned the State Railroad Commission
of Nevada to present the case of the
people of Nevada to the Interstate
Commerce Commission at Washington,
in of which the State Rail
road Commission, on behalf of the
citizens, filed complaint with the Inter
State Commerce Commission, against
the Southern Pacific Railroad Company
and allied lines, asking the Interstate
Commission to grant Il hearing looking
to the fair and equitable adjustment of
of freight rates to this state.
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has acknowledged the petition and
will give n hearing III the near future,
the exact date of which has not been
settled.
The State Railroad Commission Of
Nevada, assisted by Il corps Of able rate
men have been working hard for some
time past %Uabulating these different
rates and making comparisons, SO us to
present a strong case when the hearing
is held. WHAT WE ASK is: To be
placed on the same basis rs. other states,
such ms Utah, Idaho, Montana and
Washington, all of which have inter
mediate terminal points within the
state, and in consequence Of which,
they have grown and p%rosrered and
their resources have been developed.
WE HAVE ALLIED AGAINST US
powerful interests. Not only the
railroad itself, but the various Cali
fornia Boards of Trade and Wholesale
interests who do not wish to see Nevada
free herself and become an Independent
state, and have declared that they will
spend any amount necessary to defeat
the petition for better rates for the
state.
As it will take n large sum of money
to pay for expert witnesses and assist
ants employed i'll the working up and
proper presentation of this case, and as
the State Commission of Nevada has
not the funds at their disposal to dcfray
these expenses it falls upon the citizens
of Nevada to donate the necessary
means to carry on this fight. AS this
is a fight in the interests of no partic-
ular business or community. but in the
interest of the entire state, we respect.
fully urge that each business club.
merchant and business man in every
community raise such subscriptions Us
they can and forward to the Reno Com
mercial Club, Reno, Nevada, ut the
earliest possible time. Any subscrip.
tons received will he acknowledged.
As the time is short in whiclp TO raise
the necessary funds to carry on the
work of this case to present when the
commission gives the hearing, we urge
that you give this matter earnest and
prompt attention.
As this is II matter that vitality con.
Germs every shipper and every consumer
OF goods within the confines of this
state. 1t is II matter of concern us
much to the laboring man. who pays ar
ex0rbitant price for every tool he use,
and every pound of food consumed by
himself and his family. as it is to the
man Of wealth, who finds himself
burdencd with excessive expense IN
carrying on the volume Of business that
his capital makes possible.
Tho case is known rs No. 1868 on the
files Of the Interest Commerce Com
mission, and has been assigned to Com
missioner Cockrcll for hearing.
Every effort that can bc made 10y the
State Railroad Commission will he mad,
to properly perpare and present thi.
case.
We have an exceedingly strong case
and with the moral and financial
assistance we feel assured the citizen.
Of the state will give. we have every
;cason to believe wc will win ant
iecurc substantial relief that will hcnc
lit ALL.