The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-24
|FARG0AN IS ELECTED
PRESIDENT OF STATE
SECRETARIES GROUP
NChestnut Named President of
Commercial Body, Goddard
Vice President
SEEK AID IN RATE FIGHT
Water Conservation Projects
Also Given Scrutiny at
Meeting Here
SEEK AID IN RATE FIGHT
w. P. Chestnut, Fargo. was elected

CldIlON OF SECRETARIES OF CldmDerS OF
Commerce at the closing session Of
their annual meeting here Thursday
H. p. Goddard, Bismarck. was named
vice president and G. E. Arnold, Man.
dan. secretary.
The need for concerted opposition
by North Dakota cities to a proposal
for increased freight rates made by the
railroads and backed by interests In
the Twin Cities and Duluth, was en-
phasized by Chestnut in an address to
the meeting. He said determination
of the issue on a favorable basis
means thousands of dollars to North
Dakota industries and distributors
and will do much to promote the de-
velopment of the state.
Under the old basis. rates were
made on joint basis. giving the Twin
Cities and Duluth preference. Under
a recent ruling, now in effect, how
ever. the rates are equalized' so that
North Dakota jobbers and shippers
are on fair competitive basis.
Lauds Railroad Board
Chestnut said the state railroad
board and Ben c. Larkin. its presi-
dent. have cooperated splendidly with
North Dakota interests in fighting
the proposed increase and in the eff
fort to have the rates placed on fair
and equitable basis.
In a statement by N. E. Williams,
traffic commissioner for the Fargo
Chamber of Commerce, it was pointed
out that new rail-lake-and-rail rates
will become effective N the spring
which carry out the changes already
made In the all-rail rates. These pro-
vide some increases but the boosts
are greater for the Twin Cities and
Duluth than for any North Dakota
points.
From New York to Duluth the pres
ent rate is $l.29 but under the new
rates it will be $1.62, a difference OF
80 cents. The boost to the Twin
Cities was from $1.551a to $l.82. Fargo
is raised from $2.14 20 1924 and
Grand Forks from 1922 to $2.33 but
Bismarck drops from 1921 to $3.50,
Jamestown from 1888 to $2.40 and
Minot from 1894 to $2.64.
In addition to seeking increases IN
interstate rates from the Interstate
Commerce Commission, the railroads
are asking a IS per cent increase in
intra state rates from The state rail-
road board, Chestnut said. He assert
ed the result of such action. If the ap-
plication Is granted, would be to force
more traffic to truck lines and put
North Dakota distributors under new
handicaps as compared with their
competitors in the Twin Cities and
Duluth.
Want Fair Rates
Chestnut asked every secretary to
take an active part in interesting
business men and shippers In their
home cities to the end that t''ey Will
end their influence to the work OF
getting fair freight rates for Nc~th
Dakota.
Water. its utility and conservation
as related to various development
possibilities In North Dakota. held
the attention of the opening session
of the association Wednesday.
B. E. Groom. chairman. agriculture
COMMITTEES, and NJ. O. Ryan, acting
secretary of the Greater North Da-
|kota association. disclosed the asso.
citation plans an intensive study Of
small dam projects in streams and
lakes over the state. looking to a
maximum amount of feasible water
conservation.
City water engineers and surface
and ground water authorities will
participate In determining practlc-
ability of local projects.
Ryan submitted reports from North
Dakota's representatives and con-
gressmen in Washington, and from
the associations legislative committee
in Washington, showing that further
promotion work on the Missouri river
diversion project must await COM
pleticn of a field survey and sound
ings now under way under supervi-
sion of U. S. army engineers.
Baker, Anders Talk
Colonel Frayne Baker of Bismarck
and Major Frank AnderS Of Fargo
outlined current developments in
studies Of navigation. conservation
and impounding OF water on the Mis-
souri, and other streams and lakes ir
North Dakota.
The war department rec entity
awarded a contract to a Minneapolis
firm for taking Of soundings alone
the Missouri river at suggested dan
sites. Field work on these sounding.
will require about two months, anc
subsequent study another twt
months. Reports of these investiga.
lions will BE- included in findings o.
army engineers to be prepared fol
congress.
Col. Baker. in his talk on POSSIBLE.
tiles Of navigation on the Missouri
pointed out how In coal, for instance
this state might extend its marks
should the stream be developed ans
made navigable.
Anders Traces Efforts
Major Anders traced the efforts o
various organizations in promotin:
statewide development projects, ant
declared that to date, everything pos
CONTINUED on page Nine)