FREIGHT RATES AND MANUFACTURES IN COLORADO 47 



1884, had reduced the freight rates on the different classes of freight 

 from the Missouri River to Colorado common points. These reduc- 

 tions had been made on the demands of the business men of the leading 

 cities. 



FREIGHT RATE REDUCTIONS FROM MISSOURI RIVER TO COLORADO 



1st class reduced from $2 . 40 to $2 . 10 a cwt. 

 2d " " " 2.00 " 1.70 " 



3d " " " 1.75 " 1.40 " 



4 th " " " 1.35 " 1. 15 " 



5th " " " 1.25 " 1. 00 " 



It was said that these reductions were very nearly and in some cases 

 "quite the rates" asked by the shippers. Mr. Daniels said this was 

 evidence of the attitude of the railroads on the freight rate question. 1 



On January 30, 1885, a circular was sent out by the Denver chamber 

 of commerce and board of trade containing a letter which had been 

 addressed to the president of that body three days before by the officials 

 representing the railroads of the state. The circular of the chamber 

 of commerce aimed to call the attention of the world to Colorado as a 

 desirable place for the establishment of manufacturing enterprises. It 

 contains the following: 



"Many persons in failing health in the eastern states familiar with 

 manufacturing and desiring to establish their particular industries here 

 so as to secure the benefit of our wonderful climate, have hesitated from 

 fears of railroad opposition. The subjoined letter clearly proves that 

 the railroad companies themselves want this idea eradicated." 2 



At the meeting of railroad officials at which it was decided to issue this 

 letter to the president of the chamber of commerce, all the railroads in 

 the Colorado pool were represented. The general traffic manager, and 

 general freight agent of the Union Pacific, assistant general manager, 

 and general freight agent of the Burlington and Missouri River, the 

 traffic manager of the Santa Fe, the traffic manager of the Rio Grande, 

 and Mr. Daniels, the commissioner of the Colorado Railway Association, 

 were present. The letter is as follows: 



1 Ibid., p. 267. 

 Ibid., p. 264. 



