The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-03-17
A TRADE CONGRESS CALLED,
A. Movement OF Importance 10 South
Colorado. South Kansas and
Oklahoma


Oklahoma
Subsequent to conference held in
Galveston, at the suggestion of General
Manager Goddard of the Santa Fe, be-
tween some of the officers of the Mallory
line of steamships and the editor Of the
EAGLE, shipment of goods was made
from New York city to Wichita, by the
lines indicated, via the Gulf. The time
consumed in transportation was little
short of nine days as against the average
time by all rail, direct, of from ten to
fourteen days, the rate proving prac.
tically identical with the Missouri river
basing line schedule, saving the Wichita
shipper the additional local" That
single shipment subjected the Santa Fe
managers of every trunk line of railway
reaching from the Atlantic to the west,
ed. That incident was the basis
of the fight inaugurated by the
EAGLE against the basing line robbery
and the Transmissouri Traffic associa-
ton, which after several months was
supplemented with motion to dissolve
said association and trust by United
States Attorney Ady, before the federal
oil nv thn carried
before the United States interstate COM
mission, and by several cases brought
by the city of Wichita before the state
commission. Mr.. Ady's case is now on
the docket of the United States supreme
court with the promise of an early
hearing.
The conditions of the traffic, as to
freight rate schedules for all the country
lying between the Missouri river and
Denver, have remained practically IN
changed except as to rebates granted
individual firms and corporations and
as to modified open rates on two or three
secured in response to
rulings made by the state board of rail-
way commissioners.
As viii be seen by call made by the
Wichita board of trade, printed else
where in these columns this morning,
and which call was largely inspired by
grain shippers of south Kansas and
grain exporters at Galveston, "grain
and trade congress" has been called to
meet in this city Tuesday, April 18th,
1894. The object of the congress is most
clearly and definitely set out.
Kansas is easily the great wheat pro-
ducing state of the Union. The bulk of
the product is grown south of the Kan
sas river. One-third of the enormous
yield of two years ago was harvested |
within sixty miles of the city of Wichita. !
With an equitable Gulf port export rate
all the wheat, and the crop of every |
year, should command as high price at
Wichita as at the Missouri river, where |
the Chicago and Lake consignments are
made. This is Just as true of all other
grain as well as of animal food products |
destined for southern markets.
As the call, referred to, sets out, new
basis of business relations is demanded |
by the growth and development of this
vast and productive region, reaching
to the gulf, which is still
tributary TO the Missouri river. a tribute /
only by an arbitrary and Who'll
" imaginary dumping line of freight
re-ratirg subterfuges. There can be no
possible sense or excuse in forcing the
products of this region designed for
either southern consumption, or export
north TO the Missouri river and around
BY either Chicago or st. Louis with added
rates for the unnecessary haul.
Upon the other hand merchandise pur-
chased in Boston, New York or Phila-
ielphia can be shipped by cheap water
rates to southern ports, and thereby a
very greatly diminished rail haul, to
Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas and the
greater southwest generally.
The possible results of such move
nent as the convention alluded to, con-
are beyond computation and
he hone is that tho interests directly
affected may be impressed with such a
-ealization of them as TO guaranty a
vide spread and united action.