The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-12

Iowa and the cost of operating railroads
over the greater area is increased. Not
withstanding this the amount of mileage
to be maintained and operated in Kansas
/ and to divide the traffic exceeds that of
Iowa by 442 miles. These diverse condi-
| tions express themselves in precise fig
ureS In the last annual official report,
thus: The total freight tonnage carried
over all railroads operating in Iowa for
| the year ending June 80, 1899. amounted
to SO, 645, 038 tons, distributed equally
among the mileage it amounted TO ASP
tons per mile. For the same period the
total tonnage carried over all roads oper-
ating in Kansas was "a, 454. 367 tons being
l. 21.7 ton per mile Hence the Iowa
roads had 1902 tons of freight to carry
for every mile of railroad operated in eX-
cess of the tonnage of Kansas roads
Their earnings were not only greater but
their expenses were less. The oper-
ing expenses and taxes of the Iowa
roads for the period mentioned above per
mile were 50. IA 40. The same expenses
for the same period of Kansas roads were
81, 347.SS excess of expenses and taxes
Kansas roads over Iowa per mile $203. As
The railroads operating in Iowa after
income
all expenses, taxes, interest on debt and
rentals on leased lines, had a net income
for 1889 of $685., IA 9S
The roads operating in Kansas, includ-
ing the main line of the Chicago. Rock
Island & Pacific. only two miles of which
are IN Kansas, after payment of the same
class of expenses and charges had a net
income of S746, 574, or less than the net
income of the Iowa roads by an amount
exceeding 1000 00
But if we exclude the earnings and ex-
penses of the Rock Island main line, To-
Gated as they are IN other states and
since their earnings were not made or
incurred in this state, it is proper to ex-
clude them for the purpose of ascertain
ing the financial outcome of Kansas
roads. and with these left out the ac-
count for 1899 stands thus: Earnings and
income for all roads operating in Kansas
from all sources, $50, 235, 049; expenses,
taxes, rentals of leased lines and interest,
SS1, 49, S6: net deficit, 1921 ,233.
If should be understood that the COM
pariSOn here instituted Is between the
systems of roads of which the mileage
in Iowa and Kansas forms a part. There
Is no statement that shows the earnings,
expenses, ETC., arising from operation
within the state as distinguished from
those made by operation of mileage be-
yond the state as to those roads whose
entire mileage is within. And to those
roads whose sale or chief dependence is
local traffic the report shows they are
far from being self sustaining. What
the people living in the agricultural states
of the west are chiefly interested in is
low rates to points where the great bulk
of their surplus products must go to find
a market for consumption: there the
prices are fixed. Rates of charges for
to intermediate points do
not affect prices TO the producer, but he
cost to the consumer the rate per ton per
mile charged on grain from points in
Kansas to Chicago and eastern markets
is less than the like rate from Iowa
points to the same markets.
The reduction made upon wheat. flour,
corn, oats, ETC., from the former rates on
the local di lance tariff average about 30
per cent. The other rates 10 per cent.
1t is ordered by the board that the
rates herewith submitted and found to
be reasonable rates be adopted and be-
come effective September /, 1890.
By the board.
Topeka, August 8. 1890.
Attest: CHARLES S. ELLIOTT.
Secretary.
Wheat rates cover shipments of wheat. !
-four, corn meal, castor beans, fax seed, |
millet seed, sorghum seed or broom corn |
seed in car loads.
Other grain rates cover shipments of |
corn, oats. rye, barley, bran or mill stuff |
car load.
The new schedule submitted bv the /
board and which is to be put into effect
1 is as follows: