Wichita eagle., 1888-02-22
THE TRUNK LINES.
WICHITA CONSIDERED THE MECCA
OF THE WEST.
A Wichita Banker in the East.
He Talks Finance and
Politics.

4
| Wichita. to the readers of the EAGLE.
These opinions given by interviews have
created considerable interest, and they
| have been largely discussed in the hotels
| and business offices of the city. These
talks by men of experience and knowledge
| have taken in their scope facts and policies
that effect not only Wichita, but the entire
| west. 1t is, therefore, only natural re-
suit that the expressions and views of these
| men should be closely scanned and dis.
cussed by those who are directly interest
ed in the geeat subjects under discussion.
NJ. w. Levy, president of the Wichita
National bank, having just returned from
tour of the east, and knowing that he is
considered close observer and an able
financier the EAGLE reporter thought his
views might interest the readers of the
EAGLE if Mr.. Levy could be
induced to say something. Mr..
Levy was found yesterday in
his office in the bank. The reporter
intimated to him that the readers of the
EAGLE would probably be pleased to hear
from him about his eastern tour. Mr..
Levy said: 81 have just been reading what
J. Oak Davidson said, and you may say
say"
Where have you been during your alb
sence, Mr. Levy"
''Oh was in New York and Washington
city good part of the time"
Was there not some excitement in New
York in regard to what the newspapers
said about Western mortgages"
Yes, among smaller mortgage holders
there was scare. A letter was published
in the New York Times setting forth the
worthlessness of Western securities in gen
eral. 1t was claimed that the majority of
those securities were wild cat arrange
ments that had no real value. But
the heavy capitalist in the large cities
knew better. and it did not take long to
correct the error. OF course small holders
of western mortgages would enquire of
these great moneyed institutions in regard
to these newspapers reports, and would
receive the information that such reports
were put in circulation by irresponsible
parties In this way the apparent lack of
confidence was soon revived.
Then there is no lack of confidence in re-
gard to western securities now?
None whatever There is now no diff
Guilty in disposing of Kansas securities.
OF course some of the older institutions,
while they say that they have faith in
Kansas, at the same time admit their
utter inability to understand the rapid
progress made here They say when we
talk of town year before
last having eight thousand people
and twenty thousand last year and forty
thousand this year, it is perfectly incom-
prehensible to them.
These eastern people then know of
Wichita do they?
In New York and Boston Wichita is
recognized as a factor in the business of
the country the same as St. Louis, Kansas
City and Chicago. On Wall street the
bank clearings of Wichita are scanned
with the same interest as those of other
great cities. In railroad circles Wichita
is also known. Among the railroad men
of the east Wichita is taken to stand for
Kansas. All those eastern roads have
their through tickets printed and put on
sale from eastern points to Wichita. Any
one calling for d Kansas ticket is given
one from the eastern point to Wichita.
And whenever anything is said in Wall
street about Kansas railroads they are
spoken of as the trunk lines
running into Wichita. When
there is likely TO be any
freight or ticket war among roads west of
the Missouri river, the news is published
on Wall street As news from the trunk
lines centuring into Wichita. Out here,
we talk of Kansas railroads, but in New
York, they invariably speak of these roads
AS the Wichita roads
Do these railroad magnates talk of any
more roads being built to Wichita in the
near future?
Yes, they speak of several roads that
will build into Wichita before very long
The say the Milwaukee & st. Paul will
surely build here this summer from Kan
sas City The Mo. Pacific viii build from
Andale to Iuka the coming summer. This
is an important road for us. The Chicago,
Burlington & Quincy road are going to
build to Wichita in the very near future.
There are several other roads thinking of
building to Wichita, but they have not
completed arrangements and hence their
talk is only in a quiet way to parties in
terested.
How do eastern merchants regard Wich-
tia as a wholesale point?
They confidently expect that
in the very near future Wichita will be-
come an important jobing point. You
may not know it but among eastern mer-
chants and business men Wichita is held
in high esteem. Wichita pays" is a
common expression among them. The
wholesale merchants are frequently heard
to remark that Wichita pays her debts
in Z ha
they say all along for years past when so
many people were trying to talk down
Wichita that collections at this place
were more prompt than in any other
western city.
How do capitalists in the east regard
the political situation?
Oh, they are not giving themselves
much trouble about politics They under
stand the situation, All parties down
there agree that no radical changes will
be made in the tariff at this session of
congress. There is not much difference of
opinion among eastern people on the
tariff question. They are about all in
favor of il.
You were in Washington were you not.
What do yon think of the opening of the
Indian Territory 10 settlement;
Yes, was in Washington. The question
of opening the territory is the cause Of
some considerable discussion among out
siders. but from what / could find out |
am not much enclined to the belief that
the Indian country will be opened to settle
ment at this term Of congress. was very
much pleased while in Washington to lind
put that our delegation are regarded As
very able. Ingalls, is acting president of
the Senate and is regarded as one OF the
ablest men in il. Plumb is also held in !