Semi-weekly herald., 1913-11-06
SHIPPERS DISCUSS
FREIGHT RATES


We confess that after listening to
discussion and obtaining the views
of forty or fifty different shippers
we do not wonder railroads are able
to pull the wool over the eyes of
many, also why it is hard to equalizc
or agree on what should be done in
the matter Of rates.
Last evenings article regarding
freight rates caused more discussion
than any subject for many months
and opened up an avenue that is
bound to lead to good results. 1t has
awakened the people to the fact that
we should be up and doing in correct
ing some of the existing evils, at the
same time the question is: Have the
right steps been pursued in what is
known as the Pueblo Durango rate
case? This was the question discuss
ed at length at the Durango Board of
Trade rooms last evening by both
large and small shippers.
The meeting was presided over by
President j. A. Clay with Directors
Pickerill, EldredGe, Ayres, Hood, Gif-
ford and Raymond present and some
two dozen shippers. The object of
the meeting was discussion of the
Pueblo-Durango freight rate case, and
the best policy to pursue. Being call
ed upon the secretary outlines what
had been done and how the interven-
tion had come to be filed Mr.. Clay
followed with his understanding, stat
ing that on the surface il looked like
beneficial results would follow, but
as he had not given the entire ques-
ton careful study it was for the ship
pers to bring out the pros and cons
and he invited a full and free exposi-
zion of the views Of those present.
Messrs. f. r. Graham, Harry Jack
son aid w. G. White made the open
ing talks, giving their views and the
reasons therefor, followed by w. ID.
Myler of Montezuma county This
was followed by Mr.. Clay calling ON
those present in rotation, resulting in
practically three-fourths opposing the
intervention on grounds that would
require several columns to even give
a synopsis, and we will only give the
| substance Of the talks.
First-That under both the origin.
al Pueblo petition and the Durango
Intervention the people were groping
| in the dark. For instance, it develop
| ed, according to statements made
| the petition did not ask for a specific
reduction or allege that the present
rates were unjust, but the rates per
ton mileage as published last evening
were submitted during the hearing as
basis for the differential. 1t was
brought out that the interstate COM
/ merce commissioner asked the Pueblo
attorney during the hearing, it be-
ing a case of differential if the Den
yer rate was raised if it would not
answer the same purpose and the at
situation some.' 1t was held by the
shippers that as Pueblo had failed To
set up in the petition the rates de-
sired and producing evidence showing
the reasonableness of the demands
and the Durango Intervention also
failed to specifically set out the rates
desired from Pueblo and the reasons
thereof, that it left the shippers in
the dark as to the result, whether the
| Pueblo rate would be lowered or the
| Denver rate raised in order to bring
about the differential, and as it would
take some time for Durango to GO
over the case and show wherein the
rates should be reduced between
Pueblo and Durango, it being neces-
sary to prepare data showing that
| the proposed reduction is just and
reasonable and as the facts must be
in Washington by the 11th this could
| not be done and the best way would
be to withdraw the Intervention al
this time without prejudice.
| Second-Regarding the different
ial some claimed that it was simply
Pueblo-Denver fight and that il
mattered not to Pueblo so a differ.
ential was obtained, although ma.
| jority believed that the Pueblo Com.
merce club was honest in its profes.
sions to secure a reduced rate from
Pueblo to Durango but, Durango hat
not given sufficient attention to pre-
pairing its case. Some claimed i
meant shutting our merchants out Of
the Denver market and this woult
prove detrimental to the entire sec
ton. At present there is no differ
ential rate on commodity rates.. o.
at least most Of them, between Du
range, Pueblo and Denver. Las
year there was differential rate OF
hay, the rate to Pueblo being $4 an,
Denver SO or go cents higher. Thi
differential was discarded some tim
ago and the rate to Denver is nov
the same as to Pueblo and this give
| DuranUo n larger mark ut vhan thor