The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1935-02-28
ObtainsLong
Desired Train
Service Here
R. R. Veldman Reports Nos.
| and Q Will Now Stop
At Libby on Flag.
MUCH ACTIVITY
AT G. G. MEETING


A long desired objective of Libby
citizens has finally been attained, ac-
cording to announcement made Monday
night by R. r. Veldman at meeting
of the Libby Commercial club, held
in the city hail. Mr. Veldman said that
word had just been received that here
after both No. | and No. 2 trains of
the Great Northern would stop on flag
at Libby for passengers going east or
west. There are no restrictions except
that point of destination must be some
| place where the train makes regular
stops. If there is no one wishing to
leave Libby and no one on board the
train wishing to get off, the trains will
not stop here But for all practical pur-
poses these two trains are now avail
able to Libby people and will prove
great convenience.
Oylear Resigns.
A regular meeting of the Commercial
club was being held, with A. A. Wood
presiding. The president, E. W. Oylear,
was i'll at his home and, in the absence
Of the vice president, had asked MIR.
Wood to preside Mr.. Oylear had also
asked Mr. Wood to present Oylear's
resignation as president because of his
recent i'll health. c. S. Webb, the
vice president, will succeed to the of
flee but because of his absence from
town was not present at the Monday
night meeting.
One Of the first items Of business
was the reading of letter from Spo-
kane parties calling the clubs attention
to meeting to be held in Spokane on
April 1913, at which representatives
from various cities will be present to
discuss and lay out plans for pro-
gram of general development of the
resources and business enterprises Of
the Inland Empire. The letter asked for
the names of men of this community
who would be interested and who
should be sent information regarding
the meeting. Secretary Lud Ludvikson
was instructed to mail such list to
the Spokane association.
During this discussion it was brought
out that any Libby men attending the
meeting would probably be asked to
support Spokanes fight in opposition
to modification of the fourth section of
freight rate regulations, which is being
asked by the railroads. Upon motion
by William Herbert it was decided that
any representatives of the club at the
Spokane meeting should be instructed
to take stand neither for nor against
such support.
Discuss Freight Tariff Fight.
Considerable discussion was had,
led by r. R. Veldman, traffic expert
for the ]. Neils Lumber company, rela-
tive to the attempt now being made
by western transcontinental railroads
to have the famous fourth section of
rate regulations modified. Mr. Weld
man said there is big difference Of
opinion regarding this section, that
practically all lumber traffic men favor
its modification and that granting the
desire of the railroads would result in
a material benefit to the lumber in
dustry. He thought Libby ought to be
in favor of anything that would bene
fit not only the lumber industry but
also would result in better freight rates
for zonolite and verrhiculite and other
mining products. Modification of the
fourth section is violently opposed by
Spokane and other interests on the
grounds that the railroads are seeking
to be given permission to grant freight
rates to coast terminal points from the
East in competition with shipping rates
via the Panama canal Spokane and
other inland cities that aspire to be
distributing centers object to lower
rate on a longer haul Ito the coast)
than would be enjoyed by the SHORTER
haul TO the inland cities. If given this
privilege 1t would make possible the
securing of west bound business by the
railroads, said Veldman, and would
provide revenue for them where now
they have to haul, empty cars west.
To Call Another Meeting.
Mr.. Veldman said the club would
probably be approached soon by rail-
road emissaries asking support of their
attempt to modify the fourth section.
After considerable discussion it was
agreed that when approached for that
purpose, the directors should call an
other open meeting of the club for a
general discussion Of the matter.
The secretary read letter from
Frank Wegner in which he compli-
nented the club on results obtained
through its efforts and suggested
project for the club to undertake which
he thought would be profitable one.
He asked the club to take up the OBJ
tanning of greater electric power de-
velopment here, through the securing of
PWA funds. His object was thereby to
secure cheaper electric power rates,
thus aiding in mining development
His letter was tabled for the present
in view of the lack of present mar
ket for any substantial power develop
ment and the probable impossibility Of
securing a federal appropriation at this
time.
A letter asking the club to secure
local support for bill in the legislature
Continued from page s.