Imperial Valley press., 1920-03-02
SPARKS GIVES
Interview | !
ON ROADS
RETURN
Local Members of Southern
Pacific Forces Optimistic
Over Outlook; Many De-
tails of Change Explained; ;
Sparks Makes Appeal to
Valley.

The big feature attaching to the
restoration to private ownership
OF the railroads, with particular
reference to the Southern Pacific
and the San Diego & Arizona rail-
ways, is that through trans-cOn-
tinental billing rates will hereafter
he i'm force, according to /. w.
Sparks, division freight and pass.
enger agent for Ell Centric.
Beginning March /, through rates
We're established with the San Diego
& Arizona line to all towns in the
Valley, with the added advantage of
having through billing from and to all
points located on the San Diego &
Arizona and the Southern Pacific.
With the idea of the 100 percent haul
in mind in future, the roads are grad.
ually feeling their way to degree of
perfection in hauling that, while they
will be compelled to load heavy, there
will not at any time be a shortage in
rolling stock to amply care for the
needs of the Valley during it's busiest
periods Of traffic.
The policy of the railroad in future,
in keeping with the former policy, will
be to bend every effort toward the de-
velopment of Imperial Valley, as by
that policy the railroads will benefit.
The advantage attaching to Imperial
Valley being given the benefit of trans
continental rates almost incalcuable
and will become most obvious before
the railroad has been under private
operation 80 days, according to Mr..
Sparks, who issued the following state
tO 10 far nonrchantS and
business men of the Valley:
Gel Centre, Cal, March 2, 1920.
"To Farmers, Merchants and
Business men of Imperial Valley:
"Now that the railroads have been
returned to private control, no doubt
great benefit will come to all stations
in the. Imperial Valley. One Of the
most important changes which has
been made; Transcontinental Rates
now apply to and from all Valley sta
tions. This puts us on an equal rate
basis with Los Angeles and San Diego.
Through rates were established on
March 1, with the San Diego & Arizona
to all Valley towns. Also, through bill
ing from and to points located on the
San Diego & Arizona and the Southern
Pacific is now in effect.
'"The Southern Pacific Company
have re-organized and have re-appoint
ed a great number of their officials
who had charge of these properties
previous to federal control. All dis
trict freight and passenger agents
offices throughout California have beer
re-opened and solicitation for the 10(
per cent haul is now being carried or
at all points.
'I am asking the Imperial Valley
merchants and farmers to give the
Southern Pacific the best haul possible
on all of their freight, and hencefortf
will be calling frequently on our mer
chants soliciting routing orders, ant
are asking the support of the entire
Valley. In return for the 100 percent
haul for the Southern Pacific OF
freight, can promise that we will trace
and hurry your freight through, keep
ing you advised as to passings and ap
proximately the date of arrival.
"WiI also continue along the lines o
developing and fostering the man,
agricultural industries of the lmperia
Valley The Southern Pacific ha
taken a great interest in this Vale!
and now that we are given trans-con
tinental rates and placed on an equa
basis with the larger cities of the Pa
cific coast, there is no reason why I'm
perial Valley and all of its towns
should not reap a great benefit from
from this change.
I'm placing the orders with travelin;
salesmen representing Eastern firms
and in writing and mailing in orders
please request shippers to give Il