The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-12
GRAIN SHIPMENTS.

GRAIN SHIPMENTS.
Report of Railroad Commissioners in Re-
gard to the Shipment of Grain In Re-
Spouse to Resolution of Inquiry.
The House on February Sd passed a reso-
luton asking the Railroad Commission for
certain information in regard to a conference
held with Traffic Managers of railroads
respecting reduction of rates on grain. A
majority responded as follows:
THE REPORT.
To the Honorable Speaker of the House of
| Representatives of Kansas:
| SIR:-In compliance with the resolution of
the House OF Representatives adopted on
the third instant, requesting information
respecting the results of a conference held
on January last, between the board and the
gentlemen conducting the freight traffic on
the roads operating in this State, and also the
reasons, If any exist, why a reduction upon
the present grain rates would not be advis-
able, we submit the following: On Decem-
Der - last the board issued an invitation to
the freight and traffic men TO meet the board
! on January to discuss the situation of
affairs occasioned by the low price of wheat
| and TO see what, if anything, could be done
| TO improve matters. The meeting was held
on the day named, nearly all the railroads
! operating in Kansas being represented. The
question OF prices and rates on grain were
| discussed and also the effect of reduction in
! the rates for transportation upon the prices.
Ii was cOntended the present rates on
/ grain, when compared with rates in other
| States wherein the conditions were similar,
were reasonably low; that the prevailing de-
preston i'll business was felt and ITS effects
were quite as disastrous TO railroad business
| as to other lines of business affecting the
community; and that if even the rates were
reduced the reduction would not, in the pres
ent condition of the market affect the price
TO the producer, but only to the consumer in
a distant market In several Western States
a similar inquiry was Instituted by the rail-
way commissioners with like results. If this
board had entertained views different from
those expressed by the freight men, there
was no board to enforce their views. The
board possesses no power under the law TO
make any order concerning the rates for
freight transportation which would operate
even as a prima facie rule of the reasonable
ness of the rates they should fix, unless upon
complaint from the Mayor and Council of a
city or the Trustees of Township. No com
plant from any source was preferred TO the
board concerning the grain rates. The board
had but a lew months previously effected re-
auctions in nearly all classes of freight. in
Guiding wheat, and after very full and thor
ough examination of the whole subject, and
a comparison OF the freight schedules of q
large numb Der of Ia lroadS of other States, a
new tariff had been accepted by the Kansas
roads, which the board, exercising its best
Judgment, believed to be reasonable. For
the purpose of enabling the House to form
an Independent judgment on the matter, we
append hereto the rates Transcribed from
several Western States wiz: Iowa, Wisconsin
and Minnesota) upon wheat and other grains,
and those in force on the leading lines of
this State. On the Eastern roads, or roads
east of Chicago, the local grain tariffs are
considerably higher than these We insti-
tute q comparison between the Kansas tariff
and those in force in the above named States
for the reason that the condition of business,
the ratio of population to railroad mileage
and the conditions that enter into test of
a fair comparison are more nearly equal in
n hat nYi Sf N
than obtained between Kansas and other
States. IL will be seen the rates on wheat
corn and other grains are lower in Kansas
than IN either of the western States named.
The comparison is extended to 800, reaching
TO the western extremity of the wheat region
in Kansas. Comparing the totals Of the tou
tariffs given in the table, il VIII be seen the
rates on wheat in Kansas are 1870 per cent.
lower than in Wisconsin, $50 per cent lower
than in Minnesota and 1740 per cent. lower
than in Iowa on corn and other grains eX-
cept wheat. The total of the tariff for three
hundred miles west from the Missouri River
is b. Ii per cent. lower than Wisconsin for the
same distance, 1874 per cent. lower than in F!
Minnesota and 21.49 per cent. lower than in |
Iowa. In this connection, we also present a |
summary of the financial statements and |
the result of last years operation of Kansas |
roads by companies operating in this State. |
excluding the Union Pacific system, except |
the Kansas Division. The railroads of Kan |
sas are connected with system of roads |
EN- bracing Fuss miles. The total amount of |
surplus earnings over expenses. taxes, rent |
ais and interest for the year ending June 80, |
1884, upon the l2,0S3 miles was S7,4h Boost; |
these earnings apply TO 9.lR miles. 1906 of |
which operated in Kansas The total |
amount of deficiency for the year applying
to 2,S4l miles of roads. ,2251 miles of which |
are operated in Kansas. was 81, Sf $685.,
leaving balance applicable to sinking funds
and dividend the sum of 1856 O05.62. Tho
board is of the opinion that
unless the price of wheat should re-
cover from the present depression it will
be necessary to still further reduce the
rates of transportation on that product. 1t is, |
perhaps, at the present time the most i'm
pOrtant product of the State. From It the
railroads derive a large volume of traffic
and il is neither to the interest of the rail
road companies nor of the people to permit
anguish. 1t is better to sustain the produc-
ton and maintain the volume of traffic il Gre
ateS, If by further reduction that can be
done. than TO discourage its production and
curtHil the traffic. We think much could be |
lone in the way of creating u greater nome
demand and better price for grain in the
State by the multiplication of mills for the
of -four. The growth of the
milling business would be greatly stimulated
United TO grade special rates on feed and
nill supplies, care being taken TO prevent IN
Justice or discrimination among parties SIM
larry situated. Uniform and inhexible rates
VIII serve to leave the State in the future as
n the past, a dependent State, its wholesale
traffic carried on beyond its own limits en-
-iching strangers Mt the expense of our own
prosperity. Respectfully submitted by the
Board of Railroad Commissioners.
f. J. TURNER, Secretary.
Topeka, Kan, February ), 1855.