The record-union., 1893-02-08

were in Kansas LOSS miles of road. From
1885 to 1887, inclusive, 2,51l miles were
| constructed. Since then the annual con-
structlon has been as follows: 1883, 1867
miles were constructed; 1889, 239 miles
were constructed; 1890, 136 miles were
constructed; 1891, 10 miles were con-
structed; 1872, mile was constructed.
The conditions in Kansas controlling
rates and traffic have thus brought rail-
| road construction in that State to a
period.
In 1880 the Kansas commission had
under discussion the adoption of the Iowa
distance tariff, the rates of which were
lower than those in Kansas, and decided
to maintain the higher tariff for the fol-
lowing reasons Rep. 1890, PIP. III ct seq.):
l. The population OF Iowa is greater
than in Kansas.
/ 2. Freight tonnage is correspondingly
| greater. For the year ending June 30,
1889, the freight tonnage over all the roads
operating in Iowa.was 36, 645, OBS; In Kan
sas, q, ,454, 1867. Tons per mile of road in
Iowa, 1,452; in Kansas, 1,32I.
3. Expenses in Kansas more than in
Iowa. Operating expenses and taxes per
mile in iowa, 50, ,l44 40; in Kansas, S3,-
347 IS.
The commission then concludes: GAS to
those roads whose sole or chief depend
ence is local traffic, the reports show
| thdb tLlcy dIc ldI 1IOIl
ing. What the people living III the agri-
cultural States of the West are chiefly in
terested in is low rates to points where
the great bulk of the surplus products
must go to find a market for consump-
ton; there the prices are fixed. Rates OF
charges for transportation to intermediate
points do not affect the prices to the pro-
ducer. but the cost to the consumer"
| Up. IlS.)
! If the items of this comparison made
by the commission as between Kansas
and Iowa were applied as between Kan
sas and California, the result would
! prove greater argument against the pro-
posed California distance tariff than even
that shown by the commission against
the Iowa distance tariff.
Compared with Iowa, Kansas shows
less freight traffic by l3l tons per mile of
road, with an increase of S2O3 per mile for
expenses, or six and one-half per cent.
The returns for all California roads are
not summarized so as to afford compari-
son; but comparing the Pacific system
lines of the Southern Pacific Company
with the Iowa lines, shows for the Cali
| tornla system less freight traffic by 106
| tons per mile of road, with an increase of
! y, IA per mile for expenses, or sixty
eight and one-half per cent.
y comparison of results for all roads in
State can clearly be used only in most
| r
all the conditions is apt to mislead. Thus
| the 900 miles of road which the Kansas
| Commission characterize as worse than
worthless to its owners but blessing
to the country along its line, would, if its
returns were added to those of a prosper
Gus system, modify the total result so as
| TO give the false impression that the pros
! porous lines were poor. Railroad sys-
TENS similar in size traffic and general
conditions, so far as such are available,
! furnish the faireSt and most reliable basis
Of comparison possible. Such COM
parison can be made between the Pacific
/ system of the Southern Pacific Company
and the Missouri Pacific system. AS
shown by the maps published in the an
nual reports OF these companies. the
former consists of main lines with num-
erous branches and feeders extending
through the State of California and into
neighboring States and Territories, and
| the latter occupies a relative position to
| the State of Kansas. AS the author of the
! proposed amendment to our Constitution
was an officer Of this Kansas company,
| he will be able to exercise a careful criti-
| cism of my statement of facts regarding
that system and save your honorable
committee from error in founding upon
them any false conclusions.
The following is a comparative state
| ment of the operations and the cost
thereof for the systems named: