Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-11-03

to them of all leading merchandise
articles embraced in the classification
of freights. TO build up the trade and
commerce Of these large cities, and
corresponiingly break down local
trade where it has become established,
and 10 prevent its further growth in
the western territory.
Ii is true that the argument is not
just in this precise form, but that is
the import of il, and its effect, there
can be no doubt. 1t is claimed that
such a change in the classification
would equalize advantages as between
eastern and western jobbers. 1t would
do SO by depriying the western jobber
of the natural advantages he derives
from him contiguOusness to the terri
tory which his trade supplies.
The present classification of freight
has been evolved from prolonged ex-
perience in the transportation business
and mature deliberation of experts,
and consideration of all details. While
we shall not contend that it is perfect,
we believe that its main features are
sound and founded upon correct bust
ness principles. ANY radical change,
such as Is now sought to be introduced
would create widespread and pro-
found disturbance of established bus
mess interests.
The less rate upon straight carloads
is founded upon economical reasons,
as for example: The lessened cost to
the railroad company of handling the
freight i'll loading and unloading, econ-
Omizing car facilities, and in reducing
the liabilities and risk of loss to the
company by damage to freight in
mixed carloads. Ii not unfrequently
happens that a railroad company is
called upon to pay damage to an cx-
pensive article of freight to the full
amount of the freight charged upon
the carload, occasioned by its being
loaded into the same car with other
dissimilar freight. In mixed carloads
the freight is usually distributed or
delivered At different points along the
line. and this necessitates either the
transfer of remaining freight after de-
livery of a part of the cargo to other
cars to be carried to its ultimate desti-
nation. with the cost of handling and
loss of time, or the hauling of the
half empty car 10 the further point
for the freight charge upon partial
load The straight carload, on the
other hand, is hauled from its initial
to its point of destination; hence there
is also involved the economizing OF
car facilities.
With the constant tendency that
prevails to reduce the rate of charges
for transportation services, cores
ponding measures of economy must be
introduced to reduce the cost of the
service to the railroad companies, and
one of the essential elements in the
problem is to increase the number of
large shipments rather than to encour-
age the opposite tendency.
The point of the complaint is that
Chicago aud St. Louis dealers supply
the western retailer in small lots,
which take the less than car load rates,
while the western jobber orders in
straight car loads, and the goods he
supplies his customers take the higher
rates for the less distance.
This is au advantage of location.
made available by an established usage
among railroads, of no recent origin,
but of long standing and of recoe-
niZed validity. Ii is difficult 10 per-
ceive upon what ground ST. LOnis and
Chicago can legiiimatelv lay claim &c
the territory west of them, as though
lis trade was inherently tributary iG
those cities. They possess the un'
doubted right to compete for its bust
ness, but only upon established and
existing conditions. Certainly they
have no claim to ask that these c0Edi'
tions be changed to meet new cxigen-
cies of competition, and render TIC
strife on their part more easy and sue
ccssful.
Already in Kansas considerable
iobbing trade has been established
but upon conditions which are suffic
ientlv burdensome now. The change
proposed would destroy it. Other
towns il; the interior are striving &c
establish q wholesale trade in The
different departments of mercantile
business, with every reasonable pros
pect of soon becoming prosperous and
important track ccntcrs. Such II
change would eXtinguish their aspira
tions and their growth. The expert
cnce would be in the highest degree
hazardous to railroad interests and VT
believe there is no disposition on the
part of the railroad managers in thi,
state to invite such an experiment
The argument is put forth as an in
ducement to railroads, operating il
the west. to adopt such changes Of
classification. that il would largely in
crease their revenues by enhancing
the rates on larger shipments. VIZ
presume that railroad men would be
the first TO realize the delusion of such
an argument. 1t is infinitely easier 10
level down than to level up in railroad
rates. 1t is urged that the increase
proposed would affect the dealer and
not the consumer. But this is put
forth upon the assumption that the
retailer would be content TO pocket
the loss himself, and not seek 10 share
il with his consumer. Even if We
grant the assumption, il leaves the
matter in but l:ttle better plight. The
persons engaged in mercantile pur
suits are numerous and Influential
Dout- pt SAB'th.d u
suffer an Arrangement of their accus.
toned profits, without manifesting al
amount of dissatisfaction which would
make itself felt in manner most diSa.
grccabe TO railroad companies. but
il is highly probable that whatever
the additional burden should be. il
would be duly charged TO the con
sumer. But whether the burden
should fall upon the western dealer
or consumer. what moral or other
warrant can there he to impose an al
ditional tax upon western trade or
western consumption to protect the
trade of ST. Louis and Chicago?
Ii is further argued that such 4
change in the classification would be
in accord with the tendency OF west.
ern legislation upon the subject OF
railroad rates. We do not regard the
reference rs fortunate. Ii Is true
various attempts hare been made TO
introduce leveling process of legisla.
tive maximum rate bills. but the
injury they inflicted upon local inter,
ests became Sc marked that they were
promptly revoked. a system OF rates
that looks mathematically fair upon
its face. may violate the plainest bust
ness principles and bring ruin to nu
merous business interests.
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