OCR Text |
Show Railroad Freights. Last evening a number of Salt Lake buaineds inc.;, ore dealers and mining operators waited on the Union Pacific officials at the Walker hoiuo for the purpose of trying try-ing to induco a reduction in freight rates, with oipeial referenco to the tarifl on ore and baso bullion. As before stated ia these columns, such reduction is absolutely uecessary if the mines continue to be worked. It is impossible for the Utah minos to compete with those more favored in location, with reference to the lead markets. The distance against us is an obstacle too great to be overcome, except with a mojt leuiaut freight tariff, which there seems no likelihood of obtaining. Tbe busiuess men, last evening, presented their case iu the form of a series of resolutions, setting forth tho facta as they exist, and suggestiug a remedy in the shape of a reduced tariff. The U. P. officials did not appear disposed to do anything iu the matter. It was clearly evident from their lauguao that no immediate imme-diate r induction in rates will be grant ed, be the consequences as disastrous us they may to tho mining interests of the territory. The railroad mon suggested that the difficulty be over come by cutting down the wages ot the miners; but this could not be done with any degree of success, for the reason that miners, with few exceptions, excep-tions, are not receiving more than enough to decently support them. At present the outlook appears gloomy in the extreme; unless there is a rise in the price of lead for which we can acarcely look we may expect to &eo within the next sixty days two-thirds two-thirds of the Utah mines, now producing pro-ducing ore, closed, and business further fur-ther depressed in proportion. |