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

reason Il Is highly probable that Che lands II
the western part of the state, which are alb
sorbing q rapidly increasing population,
will prove better adapted to the raising OF
small grains than to corn. The experience
of the past few years in the west, confirms
tbs truth of these observations.
These lands are so remote from market,
or the commercial centers, where the price
is fixed, that at prices which rule, and have
ruled for q considerable time past, and
which conditions point out must continue
to prevail in the future, the raising of wheat
hardly pays for the cost of labor and seed
expended in its production.
Yet it is, and from memorable conditions
prevailing, must long continue to be, one OF
the leading productions of the state. For
some extent, and to the end that the pro-
duction of so valuable commodity may
not decline, We have deemed it quite inn
perative upon US to ask some changes in the
wheat tariff. We are aware that the changes
We indicate are not of sweeping character.
They will not compensate for the decline in
prices. This would be impossible. But We
are convinced that they will be of material
assistance and work no material detriment
to the freight traffic of railroads.
It has been urged, as an objection to this
proposed revision, that q reduction in the
freight charge would not benefit the pro-
Queer. It, however, has never been made
clear to Us who would, if the produce, would
not, get the benefit of it. It is evident that
If the producer could fix the price Of his own
grain, the buyer or consumer would have to
pay the cost of transportation to the place of
consumption. But the price is fixed for him
by the dealer, at remote commercial centers,
and the value of the product is the price thus
fixed, less the cost of getting it there. And
the current price at any point is ruled by the
price at the place where the worlds surplus
Is bought for consumption, less the cost Of
transportation to such ultimate point.
With respect to the product of manufac=
ture the rule seems to be different, or, at any
rate, different in its opel alton. As to these,
1t Is more easy to base price upon cost of
production, including reasonable e1pecta-
ton of profit, on working capital, and &C
cordlngly the consumer pays the freight
charge from the place of production to that
OF consumption, and reductions in the rate
OF the latter will not, as rule, serve to en-
nance profit, by cheapening the commodity.
It is not to be denied that the price of wheat
may be effected in the same manner. But
It must be borne in mind that wheat is
the universal product, and nothing short of
general reduction in freight rates upon it,
from all sources Of supplies would produce
that result And further, that being pro-
duct of universal supply and demand, and
much the larger number of those engaged
of utilizing their own labor, and obtaining a
subsistence without direct regard to profits
on capital invested, it is quite impracticable
10 adjust the price of such q commodity as
wheat to cost of production and profit, it
can only be regulated by the relative supply
and demand. Hence, its price diminishes
in proportion to its remoteness from the
place whers the price is fixed upon the sur
plus of consumption, and such remoteness
Is more forcibly represented by the aggregate
Dost of getting the wheat there than by the
mere distance from that place to the fields
where it is harvested Measured by this
rule, the western Kansas wheat fields are
among the most distant in the world from
The markets that create prices which, with
in narrow limits, rule the wheat product of
the globe.
It is urged as further objection to the
of rates, that such reduction would
have a tendency to accelerate the movement
Of grain to commercial centers and lower
price. Ordinarily, sucha result might be
but not when the price was
already too low to cover cost of production,
nor unless the reduction was very consider
lble.
Under existing circumstances, We regard
It as inevitable that the cultivation of wheat
must decline in this state, Notwithstanding
he land is we'll adapted to the growth of
hat cereal, and it is equally certain that
here is nothing to take the place of wheat
upon large area of Kansas, available to
The farmer of small means, cultivating
mail farms; or that could furnish to rail-
:oads anything near the same bulk of valu-
lble freight.
To avert such result, which must be con-
Iidered alike disastrous to the farming in
erests and to railroads, we deem it necessa-
y, after careful survey of the situation,
hat some reasonable concession should be
made in the rate on wheat.
We have prepared and submit herewith
schedule of rates which we deem fair and
and which we think should be
Idopted on the lines of road in the state.
We have also suggested and recommended
few changes in the corn tariff, chiefly,
however, with view of rendering the scale
more even and equal, and these We also rec
'mmend DE adopted.
By order of the board.
E. j. TURNER, Secretary.
Following are the tariff rates upon wheat
md corn, to be applied on local business
md through business, of all the lines of road
n the state, as recommended by the board:
UNION PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY.
Rates upon wheat, in car loads. in cents per
hundred pounds. Between Kansas City or
and
Distance. Rate.
Kings lille. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 80 II
sosville Observation-Disclosures. s3 11L
". Nary5. ~ a
,elvue ...................... 81 12H |
Vamego. 103 Is
L. George Observation-Disclosures. ITO 13h |
Observation-Disclosures. 118 IA
eureka LaKe..... .............. La !4N
)xdansburg ........................... 129 Az |
It. Riley ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS S4 Is
JUNCTION City. 1oS
Ilida, Milford, Wakefield. SPRING
field. Clay Center, Morganville, Vim
ing, Clifton. Clyde ..-.........."..- 16
Talmo, Belleville,
Condordia .....................- II