Semi-weekly herald., 1909-04-22
Citizens Wait on
Vice=President SchlackS

Vice President and General Manager
G. H. SchIacks and party returned
from Silyerton late last evening and
being tired did not circulate to any
extent. This morning busy fore
noon was put In. About a quarter
past eight a delegation OF citizens,
among them r. r. Sloan. A. p. Camp.
Mayor George Goodman, Frank El.
dredge. w. G. White, l.. NJ. Sutton,
b. N. Freeman Harry Jackson, Al
derman Nelson, A l.. Nathan, presi.
dent of the board Of trade. J. C. Cope
land and a representative of The
Herald. The .s4hnfinU wns sort of
20 as you please one. there being no
set program. the object of each one
being to impress upon Mr.. Schlacks
the necessity for improved railroad
service. and the special benefits to be
derived by the building of a standard
guage road to Durango. The delay,
breakage and other inconveniences of
transferring al Alamosa. especially
noticeable in the transfer of perish
able fruits, were fully covered. The
lack of motive power and shortage
OF cars under which this entire sec
ton labored last year we're fully Gov
cred showing the imperative necessity
of improving along this line to protect
the interests Of In and out shippers
later in the season. The increased
fruit and agricultural acreage. show
ing the probable shipments, etc. were
taken up by different ones. The back
number passenger depot was touched
upon, the ediHee throwing damper
on visitors the first rattle out OF the
box. one of the speakers thought II
the company would cut out passes and
devote the Increased revenue to I'M
proving the service 1t would be much
better for all concerned.
Mayor Goodman, in behalf of the
city council, said the members had
determined on a thorough cleaning up
of the city and that as the aldermen
| were not able to call in body. he
had been requested to be their spokes.
| man. He asked that the depot be
made more presentable-that II be
kept clean and comfortable. He ask
ed that the vacant ground In front OF
the depot be filled in. thus doing away
with the ponds after rains; that it
| would not cost the company very
much to park the ground. allowing suf.
fcient driyeways. BY doing this q
more cheerful appearance would be
given and Indicate a progressive city
Mr.. Goodman also asked that the plat
form be kept cleared of unsightly
truck, etc.
Mr.. Schlacks proved a good listener
He waited until all had say with
now and then question. In answe
TO possibility of broad guaging Mr.
Schlacks said he was not authorized
10. give out any statement, but 81
far as he was concerned he realize'
the importance Of such a move. Ii
the meantime he said the compan
was improving Its motive power o.
The narrow gauge and that II was 6
per cent better at the present tim
than a year ago and that by tn
A first of June there would be fift
6rst-class locomotives ON this division
Q aud with Increased cara, he felt ther
+ would be no occasion for further con
I plant along these lines. He sal
/, shippers we're entitled to improve
5 facilities. although there were time
e with all roads when 1t was practical
[ impossible 20 handle traffic on sche
I. ule during the rush seosOn.
9 There were quite number OF oth'
!. matters handled In a cross-nre ma
Ipsr. Assistant Superintendent AcAt'