Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-06-28

ToPEKA, KS, June 10.
The Kansas railroad commissioners have
promptly rendered their decision upon points
discussed June 4 and s. before the board by repre-
Bentatives OF the railroads. They tirst Eehearss
the matter OF complaint originally coming from
Wichita, and the decision by them rendered
March %, 1ss9,-when rates were ordered to be
put In force which should give Wichita Compel
itivera Of freight for its merchants and man
ufacturers.
This decision goes over the arguments inside by
the railroads. and then says:
In reviewing our action under this complaint,
rendered necessary by this EeneaElng, We deem 1t
imperative 70 De more explicit Un3n would De es-
sential for the information of railroad men, to
guard if possible. against a repetition Of the
gross eIstlOlls 70 WIlc4 our oLllc1s- &C
ton has already been subjected. This seems 70 be
TINS board q sheriff to execute Its orders. Their
efficacy rests in a very large measure in the
strength OF the public conviction which they
create. Inc complaint oLQ not ask not u1u the
decision pretend to Interfere with change any
rates from the Missouri river or from any points
easI OF that line 20 H1ch3ta; IN view OF yAe IN
ambiguous terms OF that decision, and the TACT
that the limitations of state authority in respect
ence of the Interstate Commerce act and its Op-
Grafton have been the subject OF popular discus
sion Tor several years. 1t seems quite astounding
that such statement as the one just denied could
have gained currency. Yet it even seems to be
necessary to the public that in this matter
we have not attempted to usuFp the functions OF
the Interstate Commerce Commission, and make
rates nom other states iutO this
The complaint alleges the existence Of unjust
determinations to the prejudice OF certain lines
of business existing In Wichita in rates of trans
pOrtatiOn over certain lines of railroad operating
to that point, compared with rates charged
upon similar lines of business existing in several
other towns in the state, naming Kansas City,
LeayenWOrth and AtchisOn. The complaint had
reference chiefly, as already stated, to jObbing
rates from wholesale houses and manufacturing
establishments at Wichita and rates on live stock
from points IN tbs state to the stock yards at
tn a vgTTT
Der OF wholesale houses had been established
and were conducting a wholesale trade, and sew
eTaI lines of manufacturing were being carried on,
4uC40O1lS one large packing mouse IN operation
and another being erected at this point. 1t is not
necessary reteFate in detail the facts already
stated In the original decision In respect to this
matter.
The railroad companies had so far recognized
the necessities OF the wholesale business at WIch
tia, as to have adopted some time ago special
tariff to number OF points south and west of the
city. These were a compromise between the rates
on the distance tariff and those on the terminal
tariff. These rates were confined to a very re-
stricted area: they were also still considerably in
excess OF rates charged upon like frelghts shipped
over hansas railroads from ACchlEons LeaVen-
worth, and Kansas City. No, to their Kansas Gus
toners Inc terminal farms contain a scheO4le
OF rates charged upon trelgts rom points on the
Missouri river, other points at the terminus OF
roads, to points in Kansas, and upon IreIghts
rom points IN Kansas to terminal points. Inc
distance tariff contains classes OF rates applying
upon shipments made between stations In the
state other than those upon the Missouri or other
terminal points. The rates upon the distance
tariff are about an average of 20 per cent. higher
than the rates for the same distances upon the
terminal tariff. Laying aside Tor the moment
the consideration of this special tariff referred to
as applying over a restricted area, man engaged
iron OF other goods for chiefly a home demand in
any town or city the interior OF the state, Jun
Less he IS gwen a private rate that Is a rate nor
known to the PubIc)' Is dlscrlInlnated against as
compared to the shipper at the Missouri river, en-
gagged in the same business, in the same territory
over the same railroads, in existing rates fol-
lows (rateS quoted for example,;