The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-12-09
JOBBERS SATISFIED
WITH SERVICE
ST. PAUL BUSINESS MEN INSPECT
TERMINAL YARDS AND RE-
SUME TRADE.

III the aiHlbSl HbTillat IpiHt
which was reached several days ago.
and. with the new switching crews,
work went we'll
The switchmen are still confident.
They. are making no active move. but
remain quiet, confident of the final out
come.
Yesterday a telegram was received
by Superintendent Fowler from Third
Vice President George T. Sladc of the
Northern Pacific. who is in charge of
operation. stating that business had
once more been resumed over the road
and that the St. Paul iobbers were
ready to resume business. The telegram
is as follows:
st Paul. Mimi. Dec. S. 1aaa.-M. NJ
Fowler, Division Superintendent, Mis-
souia. Mont.-Dear Sir: The follow
ing appears in this mornings Mime
apolis Tribune and the st. Paul Pioneer
Press:
Twin city freight terminals were
given II thorough inspection yesterday
afternoon by q delegation Of business
men. with a view to ascertaining ac-
tual strike conditions. a special car
left st. Paul at 2:3o p. M. picking up
During the trip count was taken
by member of the party of the num-
Der of switch engines passed. Sixty
six We're counted That this is more
than the actual number of switch en-
Sines used by the Great Northern in
the Twin cities is accounted for by the
fact that several yards besides the
Great Northern We're passed through
The following report. issued by J. Fl.
Heck of the St Paul obbers and Man
nfacturers' association. embodies the
conclusions reached:
The merchants and manufacturers
of the Twin cities have read numerous
Inquiries during the past few days as
to the actual freight conditions at
these terminals. Merchants In the
country have made frequent query by
Wire, telephone and letter as to whether
goods ordered could be gotten out.
THE st. Paul Jobbers and Manufac-
turers' association. through its secre-
tarS, has kept in close touch with
the situation from day to day, making
daily observations at the various freight
depots and leading tracks. The move
inept of freight for the past three; days
hats been reasonably satisfactory on all
lines and an improvement was notice.
able daily.
"a conference of q few members of
the Jobbcrs and Manufacturers assoc
citation was held and it was decided to
make an inspection of as many of the
terminals, stations. etc. as possible and
observe for themselves the conditions
as they actually exist. Arrangements
Were accordingly made for a special
car, which left the union station termi-
nails I'm St. Paul at $50 o'clock this
afternoon.
AFTER covering the terminals of
several lines in St Paul, the party Wis
tied the Great Northern Railway and
several of the terminals In Minneap-
oils. observing conditions at the Min
ncsota transfer en- route. At tlse yari-
Gus points careful inspection was
made of the work being done. the
number Of engines and crews actually
engaged in switching and the general
condition of the various yards.
Representatives of the press ac-
eomnanied the party and were given
every opportunity of making independ-
ent observation. The conclusion
reached at the conclusion of the trip
IVES that the freight is being moved in
"A very satisfactory manner, and. al
though normal conditions do not pre-
vail at all points, Il volume above nor
NAL was being handled at some points.
For example. at the Hamline transfer.
where the merchandise freight from
ST. Paul Minneapolis and Minnesota
transfer is assembled and consolidated
far stN1ts. al.
railway, los cars We're loaded and for
warded on Monday. as against normal
of approximately $50 cars.
This unusual business. was because
Of the accumulation of some of the
freight on the first days of the strike
and simply cleaned up the aceumula-
ton. The business today was being
handled in an entirely normal and sat-
isfactory manner. The various MEM
bsrs of the party expressed themselves
as well satisfied with the conditions
as they found them and united in a
statement that there is no longer any
question of the ability of the railroads
To handle the business offered with but
little delay. There is every indication
that as the new crews become more
familiar with the yards normal eondi-
tons will prevail
We feel justified, therefore. in an
nonncing to our customers throughout
the entire northwest that they may or
der goods freely without fear of seri.
Gus delay.
The investigation of today was
wholly in the interests Of the mer-
chants and manufacturers and their
numerous customers throughout the
northwest. The jobbers and manufac-
tufers have occupied u neutral position
in the controversy and the investiya-
ton made todag was not undertaken
at the instance of either the railroads
or the switehmen.
The labor commissioner of the state
and the railroad and warehouse COM
iniss:oners were invited TO accompany
the party in order that they might OBJ
serve for themselves the conditions as
they actually existed. The members
of the party directed the SECRETARY to is
sue the above summary. believing that
the best interests of the entire public
VIII be served by the authentic state
ment of disinterested parties who have
Investigated the facts for themselves
GEORGE T. SLADE."