The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-09
WANTS RELIEF, TOO
WELLINGTON FAVoRS THR MILLION
BUSHEL ELEVATOR.


clare for Ex-senator Forney Explains
the Subject 10 Their Satisfaction-He
Said the Railroad Commissioners
Couldn't Do Anything for Them
willis Folks Tells About the Outrage of
the Kansas City BasiEg Point,
The following from the Wellington
Voice shows that that city is in earn
est in its efforts to get relief from the
burden Of high and unnecessary freight
rates:
The meeting to discuss the grain rate
question, at the council chamber was
attended by many of Wellington's best
business men, about thirty-ive or forty
persons being present. Mayor Savage
occupied the chair and Willis K. Folks
acted as secretary.
Senator Forney stated that the object
of the meeting was for the purpose Of
obtaining views of the business men, in
regard to building an immense elevator
to hold half million or a million BUSH
els of wheat, at Wichita. He stated
that in order to get lower rates some
thing must be offered the railroad COM
panies 10 induce them to reduce rates.
He explained how the Capitalization of
all the grain at Wichita would give
basis to deal with railroads. He show
ed now with natural outlet on the
south, within zoo miles, as we have, and
a low freight rate, farmers could get
from to s cents more per bushel for
their wheat. A small gain means pros
perity. If grain costs forty cents per
bushel to raise it, forty-five cents
means prosperity, while thirty-nine
cents means adversely. The farmers
here should get as much for their grain
as farmers within 700 miles of New York
He said he did not think the railroad
commissioners were of any benefit along
these lines and thought the Office of rail
road commissioner a sinecure. The cen
tralization of all the grain in this sec
ton of the country was the only rem
edy, as the railroads would not reduce
rates until there was something in sight
for them to figure on. The way things
are now it costs more to send grain
directly to Galveston than it does to
send the grain north to Kansas City
and then from Kansas City to Galveston
showing that the farmers must pay
tribute to Kansas City whether the
grain goes TO Kansas City or not. One
great elevator, under one management
could deal with the railroads and get
low rates. AS matter of fact, the
railroads pay no attention to traffic
rates when it is to their advantage not
to do so. The people must build the
elevator themselves, as the Export Com
mission company in whose interest he
was talking, could not afford to take
he ,-iz
farmers to study these rate questions
and with five or ten thousand people
behind it, the railroad would be oblig-
ed to make concessions.
Senator Forney spoke at some length,
after which D. C. Imboden explained
that the scheme was for the people to
build the elevator and then his company
the Galveston Export Commission COM
pany, would come here with capital
10 establish a market. The people buy
bonds in any sum from ten dollars up.
If man puts in ten dollars he gets ten
one dollar bonds, one payable each year
so that in ten years he gets all mis-
money back and the benefits of the ele-
vator at all times. This money is put
into the hands Of a treasurer elected by
the people. When enough money is in
the hands of the treasurer the company
builds the elevator and after compile
ton gives the people first mortgage
on II for the money. They will charge
one cent per bushel for storage of grain
and this will also be their sole commits
sion charge, and they will be the only
commission men between the producer
and consumer. He further explained
how the thing would work for ali con-
cerned, and succeeded in getting those
present interested in the plan. The |
cost of million bushel elevator would
be $4,000, ten per cent more or less;
of a one-half million bushel elevator, |
$50. 900. 10 per cent more or less, accord |
ing 20 time, prices of lumber. and whe- |
Their work was carried on both day and |
night
Willis K Folks then made a few re-
marks, and told how he had shipped |
fifty cars Of wheat to Kansas City and |
these same cars came back through the |
very point he had shipped them from. |
destined for Texas poina at a lower |
rate than he could have sent the cars |
direct TO Texas. He said he thought 1
some freight rate remedy was needed |
and that every man who had 100 acres |
of wheat could afford 10 give part of it |
for anything that would afford relief.
George H. Hunter, J. T. Stewart. w. |
r. .Spicknall and w. A. Rem each spoke I!
a few words on the question.
The following persons were appointed |
as a central committee to form other |
committees TO aid the work: Hon. W. |
r. Spicknall. George H. Hunter, w. Vol |
Sheriff Heskett and George 7. Pitts.