The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1922-01-21
AN OPEN LETTER


County Chamber Of Commerce and
the Public:
The time has now come when 1t
seems necessary to publicly state the
attitude of the Eureka County Cham
her of Commerce as expressed by the
Board of Directors of that Jorganiza-
ton. which board is the constituted
authority in the formulation of the
policies Of the body 1t directs. While
this letter expresses the thoughts of
the president alone. yet / believe 1t
reflects those OF the majority; II not
all, of the directors.
Since the freight rate fight, as It
affects In coming and out going pro-
ducts to and from Eureka. has been
in progress, there has been gradually
formed line of division in the ranks
of Eureka County citizens. Upon one
side are those supporting the Eureka
Nevada Railroad, and upon the other
are those supporting the position Of
the Chamber of Commerce. This Is a
condition to be expected where free
men have their own opinions. II is
condition that the Chamber of Com
merce expected even before activities
were begun looking to an adjustment
of freight rates.
However, as is the case in all is
sues, as the contest WAKES hotter. con-
siderable personal animosities are
vented on both sides. This is another
state of affairs that is unavoidable
even though unpleasant and unfor-
tunate. 1t has been brought to my
attention that Mr.. Sections name has
been mentioned, and that serious re-
Election has been cast upon his char
acter, in connection with this rate is
sue. Also, 1t has been brought to my
attention very forcibly. that some of
Mr.. Sexton's personal friends, and the
railroads supporters, have cast very
serious reflection upon my character,
in connection with this same fight.
This brings me to my point. / want
Mr.. Sexton to know that the Chamber
of Commerce has never brought his
name into this rate question. We are
waging our fight against the railroad
only and not against any individual,
and as president of the Chamber of
Commerce l will not tolerate person
alities to be INDUCED In by the Board
of Directors, as such. II any man has
a personal grievance let him settle It
as an individual, also want Mr..
Sexton to know that do not consider
that he is responsible for the acts and
words of those who are his personal
friends, or friends OF the railroad of
which he is manager. When personal
differences arise between them and
me l settle them as an Individual. as
l have done. And II any personal
difference arises between Mr.. Sexton
and me shall endeavor to settle that
with Mr.. Sexton alone, without the
aid of any organized commercial
body.
We, as an organization. are fight
ing for what we consider right. and
as long as we believe we are right we
shall fight on. But we want the con-
test to be perfectly fair. AS com
munity our interests are to degree
selfish. just as the interests of the
railroad are selfish, yet we do not
wish to take an unfair advantage of
our opponent. We believe that there
Is a common level where we both can
meet and obtain equable adjustments.
The railroad can no more afford to
see Eureka retrogress, than Eureka
can afford to see the railroad fail to
be a paying business. Our interests
are mutual and 1t is only upon this
basis that a proper understanding can
be reached.
There has been a large number OF
our former members who have failed
to renew their membership. Some OF
this is due to carelessness. some of 1t
to lack of interest. and a considerable
number feel that the Chamber of
Commerce Is responsible for the pres
ent three day service instead of the
six day service over the local railroad.
Some have said that II We had let the
rate fight alone the railroad would
not have taken on the three trains.
It is my personal opinion that the
management of the local railroad is
not so narrow as to do petty things
such as that. It savors too much of
babyishness to believe that men
would stoop to that level.
Many forget that last year we had
only three day service for con-
siderable period. due to the fact that
the motor car cannot operate in bad
weather.
Finally. l want to say that we are
not getting the support of many be-
cause they have personal feelings
against some individuals OF the Cham
ber of Commerce. know this be-
cause 1t has been mentioned to me a
number of times by different persons.