Arizona republican., 1908-05-19
GENERAL MEETING
 COMMERCIAL CLUB
Result of the Recent Conference With Railroad Traffic Men Was Reviewed In Detail.

The Maricopa County Commercial club held a meeting last evening in Melczer hall at which the entire mem bership and all interested had been in- vited to be pres ent. Though there was a goodly gathering of the city merchants there was some disappoint- ment that more were not present and especially more farmers and fruit raisers from the country who it is ex- pected will be the largest individual beneficiaries of the work of the club. through the fact that its efforts will make it possible for them to secure good markets for their products.
 The primary purpose of the meeting was to give the members an opportun- | ity to hear the report of Traffic Man ager Jones, concerning the recent con- | ference between the directors of the club and the traffic officials of the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific rail- l roads. Mir. Jones read his report, which was quite exhaustive and en- larged extemporaneously upon each | subject as he came to it so that those | present could gather the details of the ! be set forth in a newspaper article or | even in a typewriter report of req sOnable length. He recited the griev- | ances that had been made in the name of the club and told how each was | met by the railroad men. In many instances the admissions of needed changes in the rates fere prompt and were accordingly promised. In re- spect of others however, there were conditions that will require much con- sideration and in respect of these the railroad men promised the most care full attention and the earliest possible action.
 In many cases the rates for local products could be fixed without any interference with schedules elsewhere. These new rates are the most import ant for they lIean market for pro duce that otherwise might be ractic- ally worthless or unavoidable t. tfe grower. There was a feeling ca the part of one or two of the members that a demand should have been made for equal rates with California from eastern points. To these it was point ed out that sucn a demand would have been of little use. It would come un- der the long and short haul subject which the merchants of Spokane have been fighting for a couple of years and which is now pending for settle ment. It was explained that if they get favorable decision this valley would naturally be accorded the su:ne consideration upon application as 1t is similarly situated. !f tke decision is against Spokane 1t would be against Phoenix and anyhow the courts would be the only place to work the ques- tion cut, a proceeding that would be expensive and annoying in view or the fact that it is already up for settle ment
 It is believed by the club however that it has secured what Is almost as good and will not necessitate a dis turbance of the railroad schedules !nr tide water competition. That cpnces- sion was the promise of the railroad men to grant a rate sufficiently less than the present rate or "cnast sche- dule with local tariff added" on the commodities shipped in car load lots. that will enable the valley shippers to compete with the coast in the home
 
 tect the local mercahnts on sucn things against the tidewater rates en- joyed by coast jobbers. While these rates are not named yet and will not be until they have been submitted to the club, the railroad men are work ing or them and the club has confidence that they will deal with the valley as liberally as possible. It is believed that these advantages will mean hundred of thousands of dollars to the valley and is all the club can reasonably hope for at the present time. After there are secured 1t will be time enough to see if any better arrangement can be made. Some dis cussion was had in the freight confer ence regarding livestock rates, but the club had little data to work on and was not certain that changes could be expected, except in respect of some To- cal or territorial shipments and that subject was quite easily gotten over. Since then there has been some addi- tional information secured which leads the club to hope that a better rate may be secured for the coast. More over it is believed that a new market ava ONbShNA obOSh Sdl Opentu III Colorado and New Mexico by securing rates to Denver, Albuquerque, Colo rado Springs, etc, that are better than present rates and that this can be done without any disturbance of through railroad rates from coast to Mississippi or Mirrouri river points.
 There was considerable discussion among the members concerning club business and a gentle expression of dissatisfaction at the neglect of some who should be interested, in attending the meeting. Stress was laid on the harmonious relations existing between the club and the railroad men and the desire to continue this feeling in the belief that the matters at issue are of concern to both sides and both are to profit by finding the best possible basis of settlement in all cases
 There was also some discussion of plans for facilitating the claims of club members against the railroad companies, by club cooperation, but no action was taken to that end. The the need of more replete treasury to meet current obligations was dwelt upon, and it was announced that there is plenty of money subscribed for the maintenance of the club if 1t is only collected. Members have been negli- |