Semi-weekly herald., 1913-11-06

furious to shippers, the claim being
set forth that if our people consid-
cred differential good thing for
incoming freight it would be equally
as good for outgoing freight and
without doubt put into effect, the
Pueblo rate not being disturbed but
the Denver rate increased. 1t was
set out that this section, not Durango
and La Plata county, but Montezuma
and other points, will be increasing
its shipments of hay, grain, cattle,
potatoes, ETC., each year and diff
ferential rate between Pueblo andl
Denver would prove injurious to
farmers, fruit growers and stockmen.
The above conclusions advanced byI
most of the shippers and strongly
backed up by w. D. Myler of Monte
yuma county, appealed to the direct
ors so far as Durango taking hand
in the matter. The most kindly feel
ing was expressed for Pueblo by most
of the speakers. 1t was shown that
Pueblo is exerting every effort to
build up this southwest section and
especially energetic in pushing q ma
tional highway from that point thru
Durango to the Pacific coast and
three or four shippers declared that
Pueblo's contentious in differential
rates was right and should be up
held.
In the discussion L. C. Jakway
opened new line of thought which
opened the eyes of those present. He
made it plain that Durango is sleep
ing on its rights and that the Board
of Trade and the shippers had plenty
of work ahead if they desired to OBJ
tain relief from excessive rates on
certain lines of goods. Jakway's re-
marks received careful consideration
and approval.
There was one thing upon which
all were agreed-that something
must be done to secure reduction
in passenger rates. 1t was held that
the excessive rate is retarding the
growth of the country as people seek
ing new locations become SCARED
when confronted with five cent
mileage and the Board of Trade was
asked to take this matter up, the
inferance being that if the railroad
company refused to grant lower rates
an appeal would be made to the rail-
road commissioners and then to the
people direct through the initiative
| and referendum. 1t is becoming more
settled every day that they will not
stand for the present rates or any
thing over three cents mile. Fur
ther, ON eastern roads, mileage books
| are good for any member of the fam
| lily. Here the d. e. r. G. compels
each member of the family to have
mileage book if the benefits of
three cents a mile are enjoyed.
Altogether the meeting last night
was productive of much good. The
| Pueblo-Durango rate case has start
ed the ball rolling and while it was
thought advisable to withdraw the
Durango Intervention, those present
unanimously expressed confidence in
the integrity OF the directors in fill
ing the Intervention and several of
the heavy shippers who opposed the
intervention at this time, said at the
time of filing they thought it was
the proper thing to do and had they
been directors would have done like
wise This came upon reference to
one of the letters of protest which
said in not very courteous language
that the Durango Board of Trade
did not represent the commercial in
/, terests of Durango. This brought out
remarks by Mr.. Graham to the ef-
| feet that the fault was not with the
| directors but with the members
| that it required bench warrant to
get a member of the board to at
tend any Of the meetings and he was
in the guilty class-that it is the duty
of the business interests to meet with
| and get behind the directors and thus
assist in promoting the welfare Of
the community. Mr.. Graham said
there should be closer relations and
this was voiced by the others pres
ent. Harry Jackson said he was glad
this rate question had come up. 1t
paved the way to get busy along
right lines and said if the members
would turn out and stand with the
directors much better results would
follow. Mr.. Jackson moved the adop-
tion of resolution commencing the
| work of the directors and asking
members to get behind and aid in
pushing Durango to the front. This
was carried by rising vote.