Semi-weekly herald., 1913-11-06
Here are the

are asked from Denver, but we do
not think it fair to Pueblo or Du-
range that the same rate be charged
from Pueblo as from Denver and we
have asked for a reduction based on
ton mileage which still allows the
road high rate compared with east
ern lines. 1t does not mean only a
reduction from Pueblo but it means
a reduction from all points east,
whether from Kansas City, st. Louis,
Chicago, New York or intermediate
points. 1t viii enable grain dealers
to buy corn in Kansas and lay it
down in Durango Is to 25 cents per
hundred cheaper, the same reduct-
ion applying on sugar and general
merchandise. Say an average of 10
cents per hundred can be saved, it
means an annual saving to the ship
pers and consumers of Durango and
this southwest section running into
the thousands. A glance at the
Reagan report reveals the number of
cars received by Durango merchants
during the year and the proposed re-
duction means "A saving of S24 to $40
a car. According to the Reagan re-
port some of your merchants received
from 10 to 125 cars year. Say a
merchant receives 100 cars and the
saving is $25 car. This means a
saving of $4,000 for the one shipper
and for Durango of approximately
$4,000 year, possibly more, and
the entire San Juan basin of $780,
200 or more, For years we have
heard a great deal about excessive
freight rates and now that Pueblo is
trying to secure a reduction it is not
plain to me why there should be op-
position.
Second. 1t appears that Durango
shippers have been led to believe that
il the reductions asked for in the
classified rates are granted it means
an increase in commodity rates, es-
peclally on grain and potatoes ship
ocd from Durango. This contention
Is entirely out of place. Railroads
grant commodity rates all over the
country Commodity rates are given
Oregon lUm6ermen so they can ship
shingles INTO Durango and these
commodity rates are governed by
conditions. Again, Durango having
been declared an interstate point by
the interstate commerce commission
last fall, shippers will be protected
by the commission. Once established
Durango viii receive the same atten-
tion as any section, but if Durango
fails to accept the present opportun-
lty it will Indicate an Indifference on
the part Of the general public. un-
derstand Durango has commodity
rate at the present time. To change
this rate the railroad officials have
to apply to the interstate commerce
commission and then 30 days are
granted to reply and when it is
shown that the commodity rates have
been in vogue for years there is not
one chance in 100 of the commission
permitting an increase.
Third. 1t is held by some of the
Durango shippers that possibility
exists of the interstate commerce
commission, providing differential
is granted, of increasing the tariff
from Denver and keeping the Pueblo
rate the same as at present. As moth
ing Of this kind appears in the peti-
ton Of the Commerce club there is
no remote possibility of such action
and should it be the case it would be
the first time on record. Pueblo is
not asking for an increase in rates
nut Tor lower rates on classified goods
and the commerce commission will
either grant the petition or reject il
or 1t may modify the reduction. and
there is no way in which Durango
can be injured. Grand Junction and
other cities are moving for lower
rates and there is one thing sure
Durango will not be punished for
making the same effort.
I Fourth. On every hand l hear
complaints about the excessive pas.
senger rates. Durango being estab-
lished as an interstate point our next
move will be to secure reduction in
rates. If Durango man wants to
visit Pueblo he must pay five cents
per mile, and the same is true of the
rate to Durango. 1t is prohibitive
and tends to keep out homeseekers
and mining men. ! do not believe
IN GRIPPING any road and would be
against 2-cent rate, but Colorado
people are entitled to a 3-cent mas.
senger rate. This would make the
fare from Pueblo to Durango about
$40 and would induce travel, not
only from Denver and Pueblo but all
over the state and points furthe,
east. The Pueblo Commerce club wa.
successful in having passes cut out
in Colorado and is going to move tc
have reduction in passenger tarif,