Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-11-29
THE NEW RATES.

Referring to the agreement between the
Traffic Managers OF the Missouri Pacific
railroad and the Board of Railroad Com
missioners, the Topeka Commonwealth says:
"What is known as "local tariff is The
rate charged from terminal points, say
Atchison, Kansas City or Leayenworth, to
any given point in the State, or rather on
the line of the road. What Is known as
"distance tariff" is the rate betreen points
on the line Of a railroad, as between Topeka
and Emporia. The ''distance tariff rates
are usually higher than the "local tariff"
rates. For instance, the ''local tariff" rate
from Kansas City to point on the Santa Fe
road $50 miles from Kansas City is, say 60
cents for first-class goods. while between two
points on the same road, for the same dis
lance, il would be 81 cents.
"Thcre are, we believe, good reasons for
this difference, but we viii not stop to dis
cuss that part now.
snow the distance tariff" agreed upon
with the Missouri Pacific is reduction on
an average of about fifty per cent. over the
old "distance tariff"-that is. the average
paid for freight between points in Kansas
is, by the new rate agreed upon, reduced
about one-half. This distance tariff" is
a reduction OF the old ''iocal tariff" about
ten per cent, but the new ''local tariff"
agreed upon is reduction Of the old 'local
tariff" of about twenty per cent. That is,
the price between terminal points and any
point on the line of the road is twenty per
cent. less under the rates agreed upon than
under the old rates. In other words, the
rates from Beloit to the Missouri river were
reduced twenty per cent. 1t seems to us
that the board is to be congratulated on its
work so far.
1--WE are of the belief that the Commits
sion has struck the key note Of the whole
matter; that is, to deal with each road by
itself. and make special ratesfor each road.
Taere are good reasons for the adoption OF
this course. The railroad people opposed
this plan, but the board was firm and insist |
ed upon it."
The Champion congratulates the Commits |
sioueis, the officers Of the Missouri Pacific,
and the people interested, on this amicable
settlement of very difficult problem. The
have manifested 4 resolute |
TO secure lower rates, and
the manages of the Central Brapch have
exhibited sensible and commendable die |
position to make concessions and meet the |
views OF the Commissioners. What has
been done, too, has not been done hastily.
There has been full aud thorough investi-
cation and discussion Of every point in |
yolved. The railroads have been heard
The Commissioners have presented their |
views; and both have made concessions in
order to effect an adjustment.
Now II the other railroad companies Of the |
state will follow the eensible example Of the |
Missouri Pacific officials, there 10 reasona-
Bile prospect that the railway problem will
not vcx the people Of this State for years to |
come. The sensible people Of Kansas are
not disposed to demand unreasonable things
81 the railways. They recognize their val
ne, and don't desire to oppress them. But
Ihey do demand reasonable rates, and
that discriminations In favor Of
,r against individuals or communities shall
lease. The new tariG agreed upon appears
% be an equitable adjustment Of, and II it.
practical operation justines the impression
We have concerning It, there can be no res-
,ouabie ground, hereafter, for complaint
CAameioss fa