The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1961-09-08

able to provide with the present facll-
tiles. Blowing hot and cold with the
same breath usually places a person
in the category of being a stooge.
STOCKHOLDERS HOODWINKED
"The stock shipper has probably
been the most abused and neglected
of all, but your representatives were
able to dazzle enough key men IN
the Stockgrowers Association into be-
traying the interests of the group
they represent and throw smoke
screen over the years of inadequate
service by going on record as favor
ing the merger. We feel that we can
successfully dissipate this smoke
screen at the (ICC) hearing and moth
ing but the most prejudiced commits
sion would give any credit to the
theory that with fewer trains, the
service will improve.
s'The western railroads were built
ahead of expansion of population,
agriculture and industry in order to
provide service for the business that
would develop. In recent years there
has been too much of tendency to
reverse this order and follow the
policy of "give us the business and
we will provide the service.
NYou will recall that in our con-
versation, after the annual stock
holders meeting lin April), / stated
that it was my belief that the North
ern Pacific Ry. Co. had been follow
ing the wrong philosophy giving too
much recognition for the officials
ability to eliminate jobs and restrict
service, rather than encouraging ag-
gressiveness in promoting new bust
ness. Frequently, the dollar saved in
restricting service that looks so good
N the quarterly report may cost the
many times that amount in
he long range economic analysis.
~ certainly WISH" said Sullivan,
that you had followed my sug-
gestion to send staff out into
the field to contact the shippers and
get their stories of poor service
you can't expect these complaints
to come up through the echelons
of management to your level with
out a great deal of suppression and
slanting
DISPUTES STATEMENT
IN MP STOCK
Il certainly do not agree with you
hat the value of Northern Pacific
took will be better protected in the
uture if the proposed merger is
onsummated than it will be if the
merger fails. Actually, it is just the
pposite. The Great Northern has
cen trying to acquire the wealth
f the Northern Pacific ever since
1913, the year the Great Northern
vas completed. This is the fourth
tempt at merger and it is even less
lstifiable this time than it was pre-
iously. The Northern Pacific is
abroad with a great potential and
Y pursuing the proper policies, the
hole Northwest can benefit.
II would like to remind you of
our statement at the annual stock
olders' meeting: (quote)
I would also point out that his
'rically, the picture has changed be-
ause of the pattern of marketing,
nd SO forth, location of inventory
I'D other considerations. Historically.
orthern Pacific operated in the red
lring the first quarter always
savy winter expenses, little reve-
les Now our population is increased
z great percentages in the Pacific
orthwest. We have more traffic, 80
e have more business, and FORUM
ely, we have been in the black even
the thin months where in earlier
'ars we were always in the red. This
operty is a granger road, in part,
I'd hauling forest products to a con-
lerable extent, along with miscel-
neous and manufacture. Historical
this property has made it's money
ring the harvest season and the
riod following harvest. / am very
peful that this year we will do well
ough SO that the stockholders will
pleased. (end of quote)
s'You have recognized the increase
traffic and business; we do not
ed retrenchment by merging the
llroads to Justify the role that they
II play in developing the North