Chapter IV. 1885-1896 



Notwithstanding the fair promises held out in the letter of the pool 

 commissioner to the president of the Denver chamber of commerce, the 

 disadvantageous freight rates of which the shippers complained were 

 not generally readjusted. The legislative committee worked up con- 

 siderable public sentiment by their investigation and as a result of it the 

 legislature passed a law providing for the appointment of a railroad 

 commissioner. The law was approved April 6, 1885. J The commis- 

 sioner displayed considerable activity and published a creditable report 

 covering the year 1885. No report was published for the year 1886 as 

 there was no appropriation to pay for it. 2 No future appropriations 

 were made to pay the salary of the commissioner. It has been said that 

 the railroad lobby defeated the appropriations and finally compelled 

 the repeal of the law in 1893. 3 Whatever was the attitude of the rail- 

 roads in this matter, it does not appear that their rate policy was changed. 

 There is abundant evidence that very little had been done to encourage 

 manufacturers by favorable freight rates during the period from 1885 

 to 1896. 



The following is taken from the address of the president of the Denver 

 chamber of commerce delivered in January, 1886: 



Your directory is unwilling to believe that Denver, a city aspiring to become 

 a commercial, manufacturing and distributing centre, advertising itself to the world 

 as such, can aquiesce in and much longer continue a condition which is delaying its 

 natural growth and development of business year by year. It is useless to say that 

 freight charges in and out of Denver, are so because of so and so. The fact remains 

 that Denver, amongst many characteristics, enjoys or seems to prefer the distinction 

 of being the highest charged town in the country. 4 



1 This act was supposed to give the commissioner sufficient power over rates to prevent discrimination 

 though it did not say he had the power to make rates. It empowered him to have compulsory process to 

 secure the attendance of witnesses, obtain books, papers etc. in the investigation of railroad affairs. 



3 A small report — 21 pages — covering the years 1891-92 was published in 1893. 



3 The repealing act was vetoed by the governor, but passed both houses, March 30, 1893, by a two- 

 thirds vote and so became law. It was given effect in these words: "Inasmuch as the public interest requires 

 that this act should take effect at once, an emergency exists requiring this act to take effect immediately; there- 

 ore this act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage." — Session Laws of Colorado, 1893, 



chap, cxxxvi. 



4 Report of the Chamber of Commerce, Denver, p. 7, 1896. 



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