The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-09-27
GRAIN RATES TO GALVESTON

The following letter to one of Wich-
ita's local grain dealers was received
yesterday morning, and its subject mat
ter being of general interest we are per-
mitted to publish it:
GALVESTON, Tex, Sept %, '92.
The export business continues to drag
along, same as for the last six months.
We were working hard in the last
meeting of the railroad association in
st. Louis to get the freight rate
Strengthened out, and for the time being
we were in hopes of being successful,
but we are again advised that the meet
ing has adjourned without accomplish
ing anything; so we are now after the
various railroads again and are prom
ised relief about the beginning of next
month.
The ground upon which we make our
stand is principally the distance, and
while there are many other points OF
importance this is the principal one.
You are great deal nearer to tide
water from your point to Galveston
than to any other point, and if we are
placed upon mileage basis, assuming
New York Baltimore or any other points,
as basis of our freight rates, they will
be lower than we require to do the bus
mess. We are, however, not asking
this, and if the railroads will only put
in freight rate of % cents on wheat
we think we can build up a very nice
export trade.
The further reason for a change in
freight rates is that other seaports have
comparatively lower rates than Calves
ton. Then our ocean freight rates are
somewhat higher than from other points,
which the railroads also consider; so this
is another point that we hold forth, but
not so strongly as the two former points
distance and cheaper freight rates to
other markets.
The objection that the railroads raise
to giving US lower freight rate, is that
they charge us with not being prepared
with facilities foI handling the grain.
This is grave error. In the first in
stance the depth on our bar is increasing
while slowly, nevertheless daily. The
reason that it is increasing slowly, is
that the south jetty has not reached the
crest OF the bar, as yet, which Is, how
ever, expected now shortly. When we
once reach the crest Of the bar with the
jetty. we will obtain the full benefit of
the current and sweep over the bar and
cut it out. So that Oh that score the
railroads may rest easy.
AS far as the elevator facilities are
concerned, we do rot think they can be
better at present, and they are far
superior to those of New Orleans. La
addition to our 400, 600 bushels elevator.
which is connected with the channel by
an endless belt of 5000 bushels per hour,
we have the new large 1000, 00o bushels
elevator built, with handling capacity
of 200 cars per day loading and unload
ing This elevator Is situated right on
the docks, and can load four vessels at a
time.
As to our terminal charges, they are
as low as they are in any place, and if
the railroads will absorb them, as they
are doing in New Orleans, there will be
no trouble.
As for banking facilities and purchas-
ers aud handlers of grain, there are am
pie of either here, and as soon a. we
show more of exporting, we
would draw so many more buyers here:
80 far as the facilities are concerned. the
railroads need nos hold back TO give a
rate and start the business at once. They
cannot Jump into the lhias III once with
cur handling Thousand ears; so, there
foge. they have 10 start II some time, and
the quicker the better. 10 build up a
trade. Yours truly.
CTS REYMER>AFFER