The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-02-13
Another Report.

Another Report.
The following report was subsequently
submitted by Commissioner Turner:
To the Honorable Speaker of the House of
Representatives, State of Kansas:
inc an orniop of the hoard of Raros eq Gem
missioners as to whether reduction
upon the present grain rates would
be advisable wa, was received BY
therefore did not have the opportunity of
joining with my colleagues in their reply,
which / have carefully read. and will say
by them; yet the question involved is of
such importance that have deemed il best
TO more fully express my views upon the
reasonahlensss Of any rate IN separate
ton in which our people are more interested
than that of freight rates: and yet, possibly,
there is no question so little understood by
the general public. For this reason / will
not be able to be rs brief rs would Ike
Railroads can not psosper where the peo-
pie who patronize them do not prosper, nor
can the people along the line of any railroad
be we'll served if the company is not in a
prosperous condition. Railroad interests are
SO identical with those of the people that
when viewed from an impartial standpoint
considered other than partners in business
As such. it is the duty Of each to help the
other. The apparent antagonism existing be-
tween them is more imaginary than real, vet
there are many instances where railroad Off
Gals strive to take undue advantage Of their
patrons. Upon the other hand, many indi-
vidusls and Committees frequently strive to
take undue advantage OF railroads.
There are many conflicting ideas in regard
to the principles established by Transports
ton companies in determining proper rates
upon the different commodities transported
II these principles were more fully under
stood. there would be much less complaint
Ii is to be regretted that the representatives
of railroad interests do not take more pains
TN hn N n mn hi
question
If rates could be based entirely upon the
actual cost of transportation. there would be
less trouble in adjusting them: but upon
this basis the adjustment could not be so
well made before the service had been per
formed, as afterwards, fer actual cost de-
done. In estimating cost, it i. necessary to
know whether one car of freight, or twenty
or forty cars, constituted the train perform
ing TIE service. Al some seasons of the
necessitates the hauling of empty cars in the
other while at other times freight is moved
in both directions. Even the weather affects
the cost of carriage of freight None of
these elements, so important in determining
the actual cost, can be actually determined
before the service is performed. If they
termined, it would not solve the problem
what is a just and reasonable rat:Y''Such
rate can not be determined upon that basis
alone.
Every rHiroad company justly endoavors
to raise sufficient revenue to pay its fixed
charges operating expenses, ard a reason
able dividend upon the capital stock. Some of
the larger and stronger systems of railroads
succeed in this. but shall endeavor to show
that it is not because of exorbitant or exces-
sive rates charged. There are many rail-
roads, also, which do not pay operating ex-
transportation. as compared with other COM
paries, are not sufficiently high. 1t is be-
cause the business done by these roads is
not sufficient to produce the necessary
revenue, except by the receipt of such ex-
orbtant charges, which, If imposed, would
operate almost as total embargo. Success
full management Of railroad is best Sc