The Delta independent., 1913-08-08
Shall We Improve
Local Conditions ?

Mr.. Editor: movement has re-
Gently been started in Delta and Mont
rose counties to remove discrimina-
tions in the existing freight rates ap-
plying on business to and from our
territory. This matter will be brought
before the Interstate Commerce Com
mission, probably the most effective
commission in the government service
today, and there is little doubt but
what relief will be granted, the dis
examinations being SO apparent.
Did you ever ask yourself why you
were paying five cents a mile pas
senger fare between local stations in
western Colorado? Some six to eight
years ago, passenger fares in the mid
die states were reduced from three
to two cents per mile by the various
state railroad commissions, and after
fighting the matter through the courts,
these rates have stuck, and are in eff
feet today, and the interstate rates in
that territory (rates from one state
to another) are now being adjusted to
two cent basis. At that the time the d.
& r. G. R. r. reduced its rate per
mile in eastern Colorado to three cents
a mile.
We will in western Colorado. always
have the privilege of paying five cents
a mile, as long as we are willing to pay
it. 1t is, however, apparent that To-
cal passenger travel between points
on the broad gauge lines in Montrose
and Delta and Mesa counties is en-
titled to at least three cents a mile. |
This particularly in view of the fact
that the d. & r. G. r. R. earnings be
tween Denver and Salt Lake City, on
large per cent of the through pas
senger business. coming from points
in the asst and destined to points on
the Pacific coast. is from one cent TO
one and one-half cent a mile.
Within the last few days the follow
ing reductions have been ordered;
The California State Railroad Board
has reduced express rates in that state
fifteen per cent
The Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion has reduced both class and com
modify rates from Denver, Colorado
Springs. Pueblo and other eastern
Colorado points on eastbound freight
to Chicago 20 to so cents, to Mississ-
ippi river points 10 to 4S cents and
to Missouri river points 10 to 25 cents
per 100 pounds; also has ordered re-
duction in freight rates from Atlantic
Coast points to practically all cities
in the state of Iowa.
Have we not State Railroad Com
mission and is 1t not time that we take
the passenger matter before them?
And shall we not take the freight mat
ter before the Interstate Commerce
Shall we not also use our influence
through our representatives in Wash
ington, and other agencies, in endeav-
oring to secure some system OF farm
credits, a sytem whereby our farmers
can borrow money. where necessary.
under conservative plan, on their
improved ranches at from to per
cent per annum? This would naturally ,
bring about cheaper money including ,
bank loans. I
When these questions are finally ,
disposed of satisfactorily, together ,
with better marketing conditions for ,
our crops, then, and then only. will I
there come a material and permal mt ,
here in western Colorado. ,
and people will flock to our never fail :
ing valleys from the parched fields of | .
Kansas, Oklahoma and from other cas-
tern points. :
A WESTERN SLOPE oPTIMIST. ,