The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1867-05-31
THE BUSINESS MEN OF EMPORIA,
AND THE q. P. B. R., E. D.

So great have been the delays in getting
freights over the Union Pacific Railroad,
from Wyaudotts to Topeka. aud so great
the other grievances enumerated below,
that our business men have been COM
/ PEELED TO adopt some measures to try to
remedy the evils to hich they have bee n
subjected in getting their goods from the
East. They have held several meetings,
at one of which committee was appoint.
ed who prepared the letter to the Presi-
dent of the road, which follows:
EnPORIA, Kansas, May 28th, 1867.
J. D. PERRY,
Pres't U. P. R. R., ED.
SIR: At meeting of the business men
of Emporia; held on the 24lh inst, the
undersigned were appointed a committee
to communicate to you the feelings of the
meeting with reference to the shipment
of goods over your road.
The principle grounds of complaint
seemed TO be,
lst. That the rates for freight are un
corresPondingly aud exorbitantly high.
irregular and in utter disregard of express
agreement as to prices to be paid.
Cd, That goods are distracted either
along the line of your road, the UOion
Pacific, or at the ware houses at Topeka,
the shipping point for this place.
Sd, Goods are delayed, separated and
delivered at such intervals as makes ship
ping over your road too uncertain.
Ali, The damage to goods, evidently
from careless handling, is considerable,
and has given rise to much complaint.
1t is beloved, with one exception, per.
haPs,-the abstraction of goods,-that
your line of road is justly chargeable with
all the embaTrassments experienced by
the business men Of this place, as above
set forth.
Unless the above grounds Of complaint
shall be removed, we must, in Justice TO
ourselves, ship to Kansas City, or to
Leavenworth, aud then forward our
teams.
We are aware Of the fact, that whether
we continue our patronage or with draw
1t from your line, there will be but little
difference in your monthly ipts-stilI,
we believe it will be your pleasure to SO
far regard the public interest as to m axe
such concessions upon freights that your
rates viii correspond, at least, with those
of the Missouri Pacific.
The abstraction of goods from packa-
ges Is of such frequent occurrence that
we mention 1t, not that We charge it to
your employees upon the road, MOI to any
parties in particular; for, as yet, we have
been unable to find out where the guilt
81
and. if not prevented we must abandon
the entire route from St. Louis TO Topeka
One OF the chief grounds of complaint
IS the delay in forwarding goods by your
line. This, of course, will be Iemedied
III time, but at present il is source oil
great dissatisfaction and damage,
The damage to goods, resulting. per-
haPs. from careless handling, could 10
part be remedled By our refusing to re
oeive them; but it is not damages We
want-it Is the goods in good condition.
As citizens OF Kansas we naturally
desire to aid 10 building up Kansas enter
Prises; and, therefore. rejoice in the pros
Perity which has thus far attended the
construction OF your road. It is this
friendly feeling which prompts US to lay
before you this statement of facts. believ |
ing that the endorsements complained |
of win be removed. Trusting that they
may be, and that it will not only be the |
interest but the pleasure Of every Kansas
business man to extend to your line his
Ptronage. We are f,-,.-., !
Respectfully yours.
C.. v. ESKRIDGE,
J. C. .FRAKER,
R. B. HURST.
Committee.