Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-02-15

On the 9Th of February a conference was
held between representatives of the railroads
and Governor Humphrey and prominent
farmers, in Topeka, which resulted in the
| following agreement:
TOPEKA, KAN, February g, 1850.
Hon. L. U. Humphreys, Governor of the State OF
Kansas.
DEAR S1R-The committee representing
| the various railroad companies doing busi-
| ness in Kansas. after full conference with
the governor, railroad commissioners, and
committee representing the farmers OF the
state. on the subject of a reduced rate OF
transportation of corn from points in Kan
sas to Chicago and st. Louis, at which rep
RESERVATIONS have been made in substance
that the price obtainable for corn by Kan
sas farmers is at present insufficient to
afford them fair remuneration, and that
by reason thereof great distress exists, and
that it is q general belief on their part that
q reduction in rates of transportation will
mat erially benefit them in enabling them
to obtain higher price for corn, beg leave
to state that they have carefully considered
the subject in its various bearings; that
while they do not concur in believing that
reduction in the rates at the present time
will materially advantage the farmers of
the state, in view of the condition of the
market and the relation of the present sup
ply to the listing demand, yet they desire
made by the adoption of the most liberal
policy that circumstances will Justify or
that may result in any benefit to the pro-
ducer. They recognize the fact that it is to
the interest of the railroad companies, as
well as of the farmers, that the price OBJ
tainable for corn at the railroad stations
should be advanced if possible, and they
believe that the course they have agreed to
adopt is more likely to accomplish the re-
suit than any other one suggested at the
above mentioned conference. Statistics
are readily obtainable which Will show con-
clusively that reductions of rates under cir
cumstances like those in question do not
inure to the benefit of the producer of the
the commod ty. If the large reduction that
has been determined upon shall result In
benefit to the producers of corn this COM
mittee will be exceedingly gratitied; but we
cannot refrain from expressing our fear
that the heavy loss which the railroads will
certainly sustain will result In no cores
ponding benefit to those at whose request
the reduction is made.
Taking eject February 20, the Kansas
roads will unite in a reduction on the tariff
rates on corn from Kansas points to Chicago
at 10 per cent. from present figures, subject
to a mil imum of 20 cents and maxi
mum of p cents per hundred weight with
the established differentials at other points.
In adjusting the tart is, rates to be Bade
even cents and ha cents. Very respectfully,
Signed by all the Railroads
Gentlemen who were present represent
ing the farmers expressed themselves as
gratifed with this action upon the part of
the railroads, and the conference then adj
journed.
While the roads agree only to reduction
of 10 per cent. on the through rate from
Kansas points to Chicago, 1t Is equivalent
to reduction of nearly 20 per cent. on the
rate within the state, which is all that the
farmers demanded in their petitions.