The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-05-19

or doubling Thomas who questions
my ability to demonstrate beyond
any reasonable doubt that Denver and
Colorado are paying from S3.0o0,000
to s5,0O0,000 year for freight and
express charges in excess of what
they ought to pay, in comparison with
what is paid for like service by other
sections of the country stand ready
to debate with such person the fol-
lowing question: Resolved, That the
Interstate Commerce Commission is
in error and that they can not ex-
plain or justify the rates we are COM
PEELED to pay except on the basis that
the railroads should get 'all the traf-
fic will bear or, as put it, all the
chumps will stand'" l will take the
affirmative and my opponent may
have the option of time, place and
judges, the proceeds to go to the
Denver associated charities
1t is not generally known that Den
yer is paying s1.25 per cwt. more
freight charges on first class freight
from New York to Denver than it
ought to pay. 1t is not generally
known that Grand Junction is made
to pay $3.50 per cwt. for what east
ern and western competitors get for
25 cents. The cities of Buffalo, st.
Paul, Chicago, Omaha, St. Louis,
Louisville, New Orleans and Salt
Lake are given transfer or reload
rates to the Pacific coast of S1.36 on
the average, while the average of
Denver and Grand Junction for the
same service is S3.0S. In other words,
we are paying 1850 higher rates for
the same service than the other cities
named are paying.
On express rates we pay, west of
Denver, rate S696 higher than is
paid east of the Mississippi river.
This accounts for the fact that our
parcel post rates between Denver and
San Francisco are on basis of 500
of the express rate, while east of the
Mississippi river the express rate is
$3.50 of the parcel post rate. Here is
complete reversal of practice, the
logic of which / defy the Interstate
Commerce Commission, which made
all these rates, to explain and justify.
San Francisco's first class freight
rate is based upon the average of
40ao of the express rate, while for
great (?) and glorious (?) Denver the
first class freight rate from New
York is 56.496 of the express rate. If
we were given a similar proportion
ate rate with San Francisco, then our
first class freight rate from New York
would be S3.25, instead of S457!s per
cwt., which it is today. From Seattle,
Wash, to San Diego, Calf, distance
of more than 1900 miles, rates based
upon the sum totals, with no charge
for transfer, average $50 mills per
ton-mile. The attitude of Denvers
commercial bodies on transportation
questions is justly demonstrated ga
supine incidence of mind" 1t is ap-
parent that these organizations are
dominated by men who have only per-
sonal and selfish interests to serve.
If this were not true the horrible
commercial conditions which now ex-
ist here would not prevail.
What Denver needs above anything
else, in addition to its glorious sun
shine and scenery, is equitable
freight rates.
A suggestive letter from Dr.
Charles A. Lory is applicable here.
State Agricultural College,
Ft. Collins, Colo, April 80, 1921.
Mr.. George j. Kindel,
Denver, Colorado.
Dear Mr.. Kindel:
Some time ago you kindly sent me
copy of the Great Divide which
published your article on freight
rates. l have read and re-read this
with q great deal of interest, and
congratulate you upon its complete
ness. 1t presents an array of facts
that make every reader sit up and
take notice. If the rest of US did a
frac tion as much for the equalization
of freight rates for Colorado as you
are doing the conditions which you so
graphically illustrate would soon be
remedied. Unfortunately, the most
of us have been content to sit idly by
and "let George DO it."