Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-08-04

the reduction of the Kansas City-Chicago
live stock rates made effective few days
since.
[Signedl WE. WHITE,
Traffic manager.
1t is gratifying to know that Mir. w.
F. White, the traffic manager OF the
Santa Fe road, has the moral courage to
take a decided stand against the dicta-
ton of the Western Freight association
when they seek through the instrument
tally of the lines east of the Missouri
river to destroy a business which justly
belongs to his line. We hope that Mr..
White Will not hesitate to follow up the
line he has started out upon, and regain
at least share of the business which
has no doubt been diverted by this asso-
citation management. We know 1t is
not the policy of Mr.. White to inaugp-
rete rate war and cut rates below rea-
son, but on the contrary move to pro-
tect the interests of the Santa Fe and its
patrons against that dictatlon and an
noyance which they have been subjected
to by these associations.
road business, whereby a number Of
roads agree to abide by the decision of
foreign roads on questions not directly
connected with that line, is wrong in
principle because it tends towards the
wrecking of certain lines Of business by
delays and unjust rulings.
A man doing business over one line of
road does not care to have his ship
ments published before an association
where it can be used by another road
against his interest. Nor does he care
to be delayed in business by having his
matters referred TO an association meet
ing, held a week or a month before ac-
ton can be taken. Much business and
traffic has suffered by the methods of
these associations in referring all ques-
tons in their turn for adjustment, which
could be acted upon promptly by each
road if not hampered by these agree
ments. Mr.. White evidently is aware to
what extent the Santa Fe has suffered in
this manner and proposes to withdraw
from the association. He also is cogni-
zant of the fact that capital must not be
subjected constantly to delays, and when
it is it is prevented from extending itself
IN business.
The people are no lovers of these associ-
ations when conducted to discourage in
stead of assisting the business of the
country, and their tendency is to in
crease the gap between the people and
the railroads.
There is no doubt that the railroads
and the people have been pulling against
each other lin not understanding each
others interests better.
The railroads have kept rates up at
points in opposition to the people and
they in turn have endeavored to control
by legislation. The railroads believing tho
public were unjust in their demands and
the people believing the railroads were
robbing them.
The railroads in their anxiety to secure
business at times would slaughter
freight rates and demoralize business.
This wholesale cutting of rates between
the different roads and the legislation
being enacted prompted the
of these associ-
atoms for protection, but in the
face of all this the volume of business
does not increase nor the earnings show
up as was expected. On the contrary,
depression exists all around, and the in
terests of the business man and the rail-
roads are wider apart than before, and
which will result in more legislation.
The fact is there is a power which is
the business of the country,
and which both the railroads and the
people are responsible for. and which can
be only remedied by the combination of
the Interests of the railroads with those
Of the producer of freights to wipe it out
That power is the bear, or short seller on
change, wrecking the values of farm
products and other commodities. The
railroads do not establish prices for com
or deal in commodities to in
crease traffic, but are simply carriers of
freight to such markets where there is
demand for that particular article of
freight. 1t is the business of the mer-
chant or producer TO find that sup
ply point and the market
place. Now in the matter of
farm products, which go to the east
ern markets for supplies, TO be returned
N the shape of manufactures and other
goods. The railroads are directly inter
ested in, and anything done to wreck the
prices of farm products lessons the
freight business in that line and effects
both alike.
The fact is the prices Of western farm
products are being so wrecked by short
sellers on eastern boards of trade in a
gambling way that it is not only driving
The capital out of the legitimate business.
but 1t is killing the traffic of all our
western roads. 1t is time that the rail-
roads take this matter up and demand a
law for this national evil,
and stop the wrecking of values
On farm products. which have de-
'troyed a traffic of the railroads and
IS sapping the life blood out of our west
ern farmers.
Ii is the interest of the railroads that
he markets are not depressed and that
The producer and shipper get good prices
or the products, because that means
more business, more revenue and more
dividends.
IL Mr. White, in Withdrawing from
he association, can handle the business
IF the Santa Fe road 50 as TO serve the