Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-21
WICHITA RATES.
Hopes for Commercial Emporium for
Kansas.


Kansas.
| From the Lawrence Daily Journal.
| The Wichita EAGLE has lengthy and
able article upon the recent order of the
railroad commissioners giving Wichita
terminal rates. wherein much solicitude
seems to be expressed that the board
| will not adhere to its decision. The rail-
roads interested are to be represented in
the coming conference on June 4th, by
their principal managers, and the COM
missioners will find that between the
claims of Wichita to be allotted superior
and perhaps exclusive advantages, the
insistance of Topeka, Fort Scott and
other cities for equal privileges, and the
combined opposition of the railroads to
the order, they experience the severest
pressure Of their official career. The
situation is this, briefly stated: Wichita,
by virtue of presenting to the
commissioners satisfactory evidence of
the possession of business establishments
to warrant the concession, obtained the
grant of what are known as Missouri
river rates, by which her dealers would
be able to supply customers to the limit
of seventy miles eastward, and to an I'M
terms with Missouri river points. There
missioners were Unfortunately influenced
by the claims of the peerless Princess"
There is no question that all her charms
were exhibited to the admiring gaze Of
the commissioners, neither IS there any
just ground for belief that they were I'M
worthy of any but the most favorable
verdict. The volume of business trans
acted and the number and capacity of
manufacturing plants convinced these
gentlemen, who in knowledge of
general affairs and in calm, con-
siderate judgment thereupon are not
excelled by any three men in the state,
and not one of whom has dollars per-
sonal interest in Wichita, that that city
was entitled to consideration solely upon
account of proper business considera
tions. Not one of them lives, or has
property interests within the Wichita
system. They evidently did not intend
by the order to bolster up the claims of
an ambitious town upon considerations
of selfish nature. There is no ground
for a charge that the board intended by
this act to build up commanding COM
mercial city in the heart of Kansas.
These commissioners are not employed to
boom cities, and no men in the state are
more fully aware of tho improperly and
Of such a course. They did
conclude in view of the claims of
founded upon actual transac-
tons and establishments that she was
entitled TO justice, and they did not
hesitate to accord it. So much for the
They are not likely to
be moved from position, intelligently
and deliberately made, except upon
most excellent reasons. We do not be-
lieve that opposition to these rates as ap-
piled in this single instance, will be
made by the railroads or can
vassed by the commissioners.
But a new question presents itself, |
and therein likes the main difficulty. |
Other cities in Kansas consider them |
selves as entitled TO consideration in the |
matter of rates as Wichita If she OBJ !
aims favorable terms SO should they. |
This seems to be the head and front of |
his argument. Wichita led the way,
md now that she has obtained the con-
,eSsiOn, others asked to be served also. |
Upon this demand the railroad managers
all halt. As we understand it, they |
nave not seriously objected to allowing
Wichita the rates, but do object to the
,xtention of the order to apply to !
I'll the cities of the state. |
70 meet this, the proposition is made
hat when these cities shall be able to
show volume of transactions compare
Die with Wichita they may be allowed
equal advantages. There is surely no
unjust discrimination in this policy. The
abroad commissioners, we repeat, are
lot intrusted with the labor of building
titles, they can only obtain for them the
)est possible relations with the railroads,
md the railroads,,are not slow to discover
hat their best policy lies along the line
If liberal treatment to all the communi-
les they traverse. So we trust that the
IproaChing conference, which is likely
o be one of the most important in the
business history Of the state, both on
ccOunt of the high character of the con-
erees and the diverse and important
interests involved, may ultimate in a pol
cy that will tend to the prosperity of
III sections of the state, and which will
evelop at Wichita or otherwhere a
commercial emporium within the limits
f Kansas.
If there is to be anything new in polit-
al inquiry, Boston may be looked to