Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1917-05-25

N. Bergheim, mayor of this city, presi-
dent of the Civic league; Charles Syl-
vester, president Of the Commercial
club; N. j. Peterson, chairman of the
council committee of public health
and safety; j. w. Stephenson, president
of the Mems club; George Kiewel,
chairman Of the Red Gloss; Rev.
Philip E. Gregory, president of the Boy
Scouts and Superintendent Of Schools
F. w. Dobbyn. On request by Mr..
Williams the club voted to sanction
these appointments.
VIM. A. Bastien, leader of the band,
called the club 8 attention to the fact
that the bandboys played on the day
when the local guardsmen returned
from the border and that they had
only received $40, leaving a balance due
of SIS. Mr.. Koslosky stated that there
was evidently some misunderstanding
in this matter as he did not know that
they were to receive any money, but
he said that there was still some
money left over from the proceeds
of the banquet given in connection
witAsfhe homecoming, and the matter
would be Strengthened out by the com:
mittee which had charge Of the arrange
ments.
F. G. Ruth, local passenger agent for
the Northern Pacific, introduced =
resolution favoring an increase of Is
per cent on interstate and intrastate
freight rates and which he asked the
club to take some action on. He said
that the interstate commerce commits
ion had already granted the railroad
an increase of Is per cent on interstate
rates. "This statement is an error, as
the Interstate Commerce Commission
has not yet antcd.'
A circular from the railway COM
pany cited reasons for the request for
an advance in freight rates, among
which were the increased cost Of
material, fuel and labor, the last nam
ed especially because of the Adamson
law. 1t gave the increase Of the N. P.
for the year as IL million dollars
and said that the 75 per cent increase
would raise only 9 millicn dollars.
N. N. Beryhe;m stated that the club
should have detailed facts and <tatis-
tics from b);h sioc, bcforc taking tiny
action in this ms:.c:. T. j. Vastly
said that as long a, the railroads 1e-
main private property the owners
should be fairly compensated, but ne
added that in many instances the divi-
dends have been largely on watered
stock, although he had been told this
was not true of the n. P. If it is
found that they are absolutely entitled
to the increase they should receive due
consideration, but it should be shown
without question. NJ. NJ. Williams said
that he did not bnlieve much cculd
be gained by delvihg into statistics
and that an expression of the attitude
of the club toward the railroads, show
ing how we feel toward them and how
they are using us, is practically all
that could be given.
President Sylvester spoke in favor
of the increase, if the increase in in
terstate rates has been granted. He
said he wanted the matter disposed of
at this meeting.
A motion by Val. E. Kasparek to
lay the resolution over to a special
meeting, subject to call Of the presi-
dent, in order to g we the people a
little time to look into the matter,
was defeated by the vote of President
Sylvester, the vote On the motion be-
ing a tie and Sylvester voting Fno.''
E. j. Richie made motion to adopt
the resolution, including the provision
that the increase he granted if it was
found that the railroads were entitled
to it, but this motion received no
second.
F. w. Dobbyn spoke in favor Of post
poning the resolution indefinitely, say
ing that if the club voted for the in
crease they would be pulling for the
railroad systems, whereas if they voted
against it they would be pulling
against them. He said that the mem
bers Of the railroad and warehouse
commission are elected by the people
to take care of these matters and they
are supposed to be able to act in
telligently, and he added that he be-
-ieved this was not a question for q
Commercial club and one which the
members were not competent to act
upon. Mr.. Bergheim then offered the
same motion as had been offered by
Mr.. Kasparek and which was defeated
and it carried without dissenting
vote.
z. j. vasaly then said in connection