The daily sentinel., 1909-08-28
WILL CITY GET
BETTER RATES?

cussion when the Colorado bust
ness men visit the cities of the
Western slope on their booster
excursion the latter part of Sep
tember, says yesterdays Denver
News.
The people of Grand junction
and surrounding territory and of
other sections of the Western 81
slope have complained that Dem
YER i'm its fights for fair freight
rates has to a great extent over
looked other sections of the
state. confining its efforts mainly
TO the Colorado common points
which include Denver. Colorado
Springs, Pueblo and Trinidad.
They insist that the establishment
of these points as basing line will
make it practically impossible for
them to obtain low through rates
from points east of this basing line
George J. kindel, in his fights for
fair rates for Colorado. has always
taken the Western slope. and espec-
tally Grand Junction, into considera-
tion. He has always contended that
the local rates are too high from Den
yer westward, and has sought TO have
loN aus ilAtu bD btti lipul
the Missouri river to Leadyille.
The chamber of commerce and
Manufacturers association have in
terviewed adversely in these cases on
the ground that the fixing of such
through rates would take away from
the Colorado common points the
small claim they have to be classed
as basing points. Ii is generally con-
nnAaI hN- ha har nf
citation. however that the rates west
ward of the basing line to the Colo
RADIO line should be reduced to corre-
spond with the through rate now in
force to Utah points.
II is believed that the members of
the local commercial bodies can reach
an agreement with the Western slope
cities on platform of rate reduction
which will be satisfactory to all CON
cerned.
The Colorado Manufacturers asso-
citation has published platform in
which II favors lower distributing
rates from Denver. All the local
commercial bodies are agreed upon
the contention that rates from the
Missouri river to the Colorado com
mon points are too high. By reduc-
ing the rates westward from the com
mon points II is argued that the West
ern slope would obtain relief with
out disturbing the common points
basing line.
The rate from Denver to Grand
Junction is now $1.40, while the
through rate to Salt Lake City is only
s1.54 The local rate from Grand
junction is Sl.l0, so that on business
originating in Denver. Grand June
tion jobbers, to trade in Utah terri
tory. would have a differential of 90
cents in favor of Denver to contend
with
The rate from New York to Grand
Junction is Sab. while the rate from
New York to Salt Lake City is only
$3.50, so that If the Grand Junction
jobber should take a notion to pur
chase goods in New York and sell
them in Utah territory, he would have
to pay his local rate of S1.10 and
would find that the New York jobber
could lay the goods down in Salt Lake
City just S1.70 cheaper per 100
pounds than he could.
Though 1t is not probable that the
railroads will ever put Grand June
tion upon basing line. if that sys-
TEN is finally maintained. it is gem
orally conceded that the entire West
ern slope is entitled to relief from
the present rate bondage under which
it suffers along with other sections
of the state.
Under the existing rates, Salt Lake
City merchants can purchase goods in
New York. pay the first class rate to
Salt Lake City and reship them TO
Grand Junction for just 50 cents
more than the Grand Junction mer-
chant can ship them direct to Grand
Junction. This condition prevents
any of the Western slope cities. from
building up a jobbing business.
The Western slope cities have sig
nified their intention of taking these
matters up with the Denver boosters
when they visit that part of the state
and the Denver business men have