Wichita eagle., 1890-02-06
WHAT is NEEDED.
Nr. j. o. Davidson Talks on the Leading
Questions for Kansas and Wichita
Reduction OF Grain Freight
Rates Needed.

In conversation yesterday Mr.. j. O..
Davidson stated that within the last two
weeks Mr.. c. L. Davidson had received
over six hundred letters from parties in the
east making inquiry for lands in Kansas.
The inquiries at present are coming IN
more rapidly than ever and never before
were there as many earnest inquiries.
Most of them state that the writer and
parties concerned expect to move west in
the spring and they seek information con-
cernlng Southern Kansas. One letter
stated that the writer, his uncle and a
dozen others had expected to move to Ore
gon in the spring but owing to recent in
formation concerning Kansas they had de-
cided to move to Southern Kansas some
time in the month of March. Another had
a colony to locate in Kansas in the spring
and the writer suggested cheap
rates would be good thing for Kansas, as
he knew of many who could be induced TO
move to this state should the rate be re-
duced
And this brings up the immigration
question" said Mr.. Davidson. land many
of these letters have something to say OF
the state bureau. They have heard of the
heard all about it; they think the bureau
will certainly succeed in getting low rates
to Kansas and they want to know what is
being done in that matter. A very i'm
portant thing for Kansas, as / am inclined
to think, is that the Omaha meeting re-
suits in prompt action on the part of the
passenger association, giving Kan
sas reduced rate. There are
other things that might be done
that would lead to immigration in
Kansas, but the movement on foot now
can do something quick ana in fact as
believe do a good deal"
Mr.. Davidson being chairman of the
railroad committee of the board of trade,
on that subject said: "As many know
there are some important matters on hand
relating to railroads. We think at least
two more railroads will be building into
Wichita during the present year. At the
spring election in all probability the peo-
pie will be called upon to consider one or
two railroad propositions"
Continuing Mr.. Davidson said: 'Tt is
important to get as many trunk lines into
Wichita as possible. But while this is
true it is equally true Wichita should be
able TO get some ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS from Cne
roads already in the city. In this connec-
tion we have great hope of being able to
reach important results. In fact we look
upon this as about as important as more
railroads
ON THE CUT RATE.
On the topic of the day: eve all know
Kansas towns depend on Kansas
soil. We have an abundance of grain, but
the low price brings little money to the
farmer and hence it is also hard on Kan
sas towns. Something should be done to
get relief. If the railroads can carry grain
to the market at rate below the present
one they should do it and if not of their
own ruling be made do it. The scheme
for temporary relief is better than none at
all. The move by the farmers alliance for
the legislature to bring about reduced
rates on grain is all right if that is the
best way to do 1t. Kansas could we'll af-
ford the expense of an extra session if it
would bring many hundreds of thousands
of dollars to the farmers by the way of re-
duced freight rates. While better finan-
cial times as l believe will soon, any way
the reduced rates would be felt in very
short time"