Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1886-08-28

Farming Interests, and to the Rail
roads.
Tho board of railway commissioners hav
for some months past had under advisemen
arevision of the grain rates on all of tn
different railroads in Kansas, and after con
sulting with the gentlemen representing tn
freight department of each company, yester
day forwarded the following letter ant
schedule of rates to the managers of tn,
various roads:
DEAB SIR-In the matter Of complaints 70
ceived by this board some time ago from tn.
townships of Dayton, Cambria, Walnut and
Smoky View, in Saline county, Kansas, rela
tive to rates charged on grain transportation
over the Union Pacific road, in this state
the board of railroad commissioners desire
to make final disposition of it. As you
will remember, the subject of these COM
plants was discussed by rs at some length
on the 31st of December last, and the views
OF the board stated In q general way. Fol-
reasons then stated the matter was referred
for time, to be taken up subsequently by
the board, in con- JUNCTION with your CON-
pany ard that of other companies whose
tariffs would be Immediately affected by q
change in the grain rates as fOreshadowed
by Us. Two successive conferences have
been held by the board with the gentlemen
representing the freight departments of the
Union Pacific, the Atchison, Topeka Il Santa
F. and the Central Branch roads, but with
out reaching q satisfactory result. The
board, after hearing the views of those gen.
Eemen, took the matter under advisement,
and have since carefully reviewed and con-
sidered the matters involved and the views
heretofore expressed by us.
The reasons heretofore given, which in
duced the board to believe that revision of
the wheat tariff was, under existing condi-
tons, advisable, were stated thus:
"But we feel bound to consider other
questions in this connection, which possess,
in our judgment, al important bearing
upon the matters. It is unquestionable that
tho price of wheat at the Missouri river is
tho Chicago price, IS the cost of handling
and transportation from the river to that
point. The wheat region of Kansas is more
remote from the common market than the
wheat raised in the states named, and the
cost of reaching it is correspondingly
greater; but the surplus produced in the
country must find foreign market for con-
sumption, and the price upon the whole pro-
duct is substantially fixed there. The re-
areas in other countries, swelling tina worlds
surplus, and the reduction of the cost of
ocean freights from remote regions to the
common points of consumption, have to-
gether brought about decline in the price
of this cereal, from which it will, perhaps,
never wholly recover. That the present low
prices will rule steadily is not to be ex-
pected; since these will operate directly and
powerfully to lessen production, and in
the conviction that lower rates have come to
stay considerable length of time.
Wheat is one of the principal productions
Of Kansas. The lands in the middle and
more western portions of the state are, per-
haps, better adapted to the growth of wheat
than the other cereals. 1t is a product
which, 80 long as it continues to be produced
in large quantities, must, or the larger por-
ton Of it, be carried long distances over
railroads. 1t is product of great value to
the people, and it furnishes large volume
of traffic to the railroads. Under favorable
conditions, it is quite certain that the wheat
producing area in Kansas will be extended
with tie settlement now going on so rap
idly. Lands, too, even less adapted to corn
Il is, on the other hand, in the highest de-
gree probable that under conditions similar
to those that nov exist, the production of
wheat will rapidly decline in the state, with
consequent decline to its prosperity and loss
TO railroads.
We have already noticed the fact that the
larger the volume of traffic over a railroad
the less the rate of transportation charge
may be. This results from the fact that the
expenses incident to handling an increased
volume of traffic do not increase in the same
ratio us the traffic. We believe it is regard
sd as good policy to supply, SO far as rail-
roads may be able and can safely do 80,
those conditions which will stimulate pro-
duction. The board are of the opinion that
the time has arrived when something in this
direction should be attempted. We believe
that revision of tbs wheat tariff in the d.
rec ions indicated in the argument of Mr..
Collins would materially aid in restoring a
dropping industry.
With corn the conditions are materially
different. The tariff is already low one.
The price of it is not so dependant upon
foreign demand as wheat, nor yet is it SO
universally product. Its price can be bet
Ter regulated, for that reason, since supply
san more readily adapt itself to the demands
Of consumption.
We are aware of the fact that there is little
sr no wheat to be moved at the present time,
and for this reason, and others which we will
presently mention, the board refrain from
indicating the precise extent to which revis-
.on should be made. Revision upon one
road, penetrating the western wheat belt
viii affect others operating the western part
Of the state. It is but just that they should
% heard, and, their interests considered, be-
ssss the final ruling upon the matter, fixing
rates by the board Besides, to afford the
people the full measure of benefit arising
from such revision, it must extend to point
which the powers of the board do not reach.
We further think it of the first importance
that care should be taken to protect and fos-
tor home industries. The more of our own
wheat we are able to convert into higher
product, by mills within our borders, the
less will our farmers become the sport OF
bulls and bears upon change.
"In accordance with these views the board
will take such appropriate and timely meas
ures as may be necessary to reach such re-
vision rs may be most desirable and useful"
Since these views were expressed, the con-
ditons then prevailing have not undergone
material change, nor are they likely to. The
of food substances has Increased
the past few years in a greater ratio than
population. This is especially true of wheat.
It is estimated that the territory in wheat
cultivation has doubled, in the United States
and British colonies. on side Of India, with
In the past fourteen ye srs; and, in addlt on,
large areas of land have been opened up to
the cultivation of the same cereal in the last
named country. That production has very
largely overtaken consumption OF wheat IL
evidsnt from the rapid and persistent de-
Glue in ruling prices. The cheapening pro-
cesees which have been introduced into otr-
or departments of productive industry. by
labor saving devices, aud by farming ma