The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-06-06
WESTERN RATES ARE
BEING READjUsTEO
Spokane Rate Case Decision
Causing Revolution of
Freight Rates.
WILL GREATLY AFFECT
UTAH COMMON POINTS
Union Pacific Announces Radi-
cal Reductions in Rates
TO This State.

Day by day the interest in the freight
rate situation is increasing, ooth IN
railroad circles and on the part OIL
shippers and the public generally. The
recent decision OF the interstate COM
merce commission in the Spokane rate
case will inevitably result IN readJust-
ment OF freight rates throughout the
west, which Will be Of great advantage
10 this state. Announcement is made
thai the Union Pacific is to readjnst its
rates from the eastern seaboard and the
Missouri river to Salt Lake City and
other Utah common points, ana VIII
make reductions in all Utah rates pro-
portionate 10 the haul
Heretofore the rates TO Utah common
points and, IN fact, to the interior COM
mon points in general have been based
on the haul 10 the coast and then back,
which practice will doubtless be aban-
doned While the effect Of the change
would lie to allow Utah manufacturers
10 invade the field of Colorado competi~
tors. virtually putting them out OF busl-
ness by reason of low rates, the plans
of the Rock Island may DentrallZc such
n condition. The properties of the Rock
Island arc largely situated In Colo.
rado, and while that road does not IN
tend TO discriminate against Utah, 1T
naturally looks to Colorado first.
Spirited Contest.
Hartman IS interests are further west,
as also tho Hill interests, and naturally
these roads arc looking to the western
territory. These conditions promise TO
bring about n spirited contest between
the Rock Island and the Hartman and
Hill properties. The attitude of the
Rock Island ssytem car be seen by two
tn /
G.. Doolitte, general agent OF the Rock
Island in this city, by III. Cover, traffic
manager of the Rock Island system. The
other was sent by w. j. Biddle. third
vice president of the Rock Island sys-
TEN, 10 6. w. Martin, the general agent
Of the system at Denver, and was pub
lished in the Denver Post,
In the telegram TO MIR. Doollttle, Mr.
Cover says that the Spokane decision
will result in readjustment of freight
rates 10 Utah, and the same are now
being checked out. This shows that the
Rock Island has no intention of dis
eliminating against Utah. On the other
hand, in the telegram TO q. Nj. Martin,
as published in the Denver Post. Vice
President Biddlc stated that while an
nouncement has been made that the
Union Pacific would reduce its artes
10 the embarrassment of Colorado ship
pers the Rock Island would give them
fair deal
The decision of the interstate com
mcrce commission in the Spokane case
held that the rates 10 Spokane were
higher than the rates TO Seattle, more
distant point, and that the rates TO Spo
kane were inherently unreasonable.
From this it is evident that in case the
decision is applied IN principle, which it
promises to be, il will work a revolu-
ton Of the freight rates TO interior
points throughout the west, This is
doubtless the reason for tine announce
ment BIZ the Union Pacific and the
Rock Island 10 readjust their rates TO
Utah common points.
Hartman Roads Included.
The order of the interstate commerce
commission WAS not only made applica-
bic TO the Great Northern and the
Northern Pacific. but also to the Har-
riman roads, the Union Pacific, the
Oregon Short Line and the Oregon
Railroad and Navigation company. Not
believeing this fair, the Hartman in
terests prayed the commission not to be
included in the order, and the time when
it should be effective, III the case of
the Hartman roads only, was postponed
until July ] next. 4 further hearing IN
the case will be held on Wednesday,
June Q. What action will be taken bv
the commission at that time is simply
matter of conjecture, but there can he
not doubt that the decision Will result
IN readjusment of rates on the Harri-
man lines. In fact. conferences Of the
the Hartman traffic officials have re-
Gently been held IN Washington, D. g.,
for that purpose.
1t is we'll known that the rates to
Utah over the Denver & Rio Grande
VIII be materially reduced. The revised
schedules are practically completed, and
formal announcement soon will be
made.
An important reduction in freight
rates on chocolate coating. cocoa and
cocoa butter has just been made by the
Salt Lake Route from this city for Los
Angeles. This is of great benefit TO
Salt Lake candy manufacturers, and
not only gives them a better oppor-
tunity TO meet California competition,
but it also opens up a big fields in
Arizona. The reduction amounts to II
cents per hundred pounds on shipments
nf lpec than load