El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-30

I up to date in all particulars; the mem
I bers were given the welcome usually
| accorded by the hospitable people of
the southwest, and all to man were
highly gratified at the results of this
trip, not only socially among them
selves and those whom they visited,
but in business way as We'll 1t was
the general opinion that this was one
Of the most successful trade trips ever
leaving this city. It was reputcd to
have been one that made young men
old and old men young.
Propose Bringing Merchants Here.
After returning from the visit to
points in Arizona and New Mexico.
proposed plans were discussed Of
bringing the business men Of that sec
ton TO this city for the purpose of
showing them fully just what FL Paso
had Of which IL could boast, with So
cial features and a side trip to the
Elephant Butte dam. If the program
had been carried to a completion II no
doubt would hive brought even much
better results than the journey of the
Pep. Push and Progress Special Sut
owing to war conditions it was deci-
ded that this should be postponed IN
til a moe proDitiOus time
Texas-ShrevepOrt Case.
In 1916 the Interstate Commerce
Commission, in deciding a complaint
before that body brought by Shreve-
port, La, relative TO rates discrimf-
mating against that city and in favor
Of Texas shippers, Unexpectedly ad-
vanced practically all Of the Texas
interstate rates. This organization
had a representative accompany those
fl ON other cities in Texas to Wash
ington, with a view of having this
rate scale suspended until after fur
ther hearing and although this was
the commission later decided
n haVa annrhar hn1rfwrr which hanqn
in April, lasting for more than three
weeks. This committee had data pre-
pared 10 be used by those represent
ing the Texas shipping public. and
while a decision was fully expected (
before the end of the year. SO far il
has not been made, or at least there
Is 10 advice of it There seems to be |
no good reason why the commission
should not soon announce its de-
cision in this matter, which il is be- /
Iieved vii relieve the commercial in |
terests OF Ell Paso Of an unnecessary !
transportation tax.
Case of Increased Rate.
The public carriers Of the United !
states made an appeal TO the inter- I
state Commerce commission for per- |
mission to make a flat Is percent in !
crease of their rates over the entire /
country. This committee protested in 1
behalf Of the chamber Of commerce |
against this radical advance in rates I
and compiled much data which was ]
submitted to the commission The /
petition Of the carriers was denied, /
except that advances were allowed in 4
trunk line and central freight asso-
siation territories as well as to rail i
md water lines. The action Of the 4
commission, so far as allowing New 4
fork-Gulf Coast lines an advance
n the rates TO Texas, came as a sur
rise, as that body in previous de-
.ision had made an exception to the
,rOvisions Of section Is, Of the act TO I
eguIate commerce known as the PAN
ma canal act. allowing the Southern
'acific TO retain the management and
wnerShlp OF the Morgan line steam
rs greatly on account Of the TACT
hat a large section was given salts
actory service at lower rates than
Il rail lines were affording shippers.
.fter such a decision as this. il was
OF TO be expected that these water
nd rail lines would short time al
srwards be permitted to increase
leir rates
seahOard Territory Advances. ll
Pursuant TO the authority granted ]
, rail and water lines 10 increase
heir rates, advances were made TO
Il Texas from New York and sea-
oard territory which, however. were
OF nearly UP 10 the limit allowed by ]
g
representatives. Of the commercial Or
OF the state that a pro-
st at this particular time would pro-
uce no favorable results. and that
was not wise to file a formal COM !
laint covering these rates on ac-
,unt Of war conditions and the pos !
biiity that much Of the tonnage /
light be forced to ali rail lines, due
the action OF the government in ;
,mmandeering steamers when neces-
iry for u~e in the movement Of war
aterial and supplies. This organi-
.tion had previously appealed to our !
representatives. in Washington to use
leir influence in having the cast
Use service maintained as long as
1ssible, and II was thought that it
ould be better to endure the in
eased rates until conditions change.
Freight Closing Hours.
Representative of the railway
mpanies asked the shippers of the :
ty TO agree on 4 D. m as the hour :
ter which no outbound freight ship ;
snts would be received. Inasmuch :
IL was Of material advantage to :
e interests Of the city to be able :
forward their shipments at later q
lur, plan was agreed upon by :
nInE O. nAIAIA :