The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-02-28
FIGHT GETS HOT
COMMERCIAL CLUB WANTS TO PER.
Feet AN ALLIANCE.

Send Delegates to Wichita to Form a
Powerful Alliance Which VIII Remove
the Barrier, That Grain May be Shipped
Direct 20 the GuIf-The Club Issues a
Stirring Appeal for the Organization
Proposed-Ask for Justice.
AS predicted by the Eagle the Wich-
tia Commercial club would prove OF
great benefit TO the city, and that the
very necessity which forced its organi-
sation would rebound to the benefit not
only of the city, but of the entire south
west, including Oklahoma.
They realize that in union there is
strength and with this object in view
they are making a move to organize the
entire southwest into a powerful al
lance who united viii strike AT the
gate erected by the railroads TO shut this
country from the benefits of a southern
outlet without being compelled to ship
via. Kansas City, Mo, and then en-
ioying the satisfaction Of three days
later seeing the same car load brought
back through Wichita. until the bar
rier s removed. There is not man in
either Kansas or Oklahoma but who
should lend all aid 10 the movement now
liz hand and push the battle on to vic
tory. To this end the club has prepar-
I'd the following circular letter which
VIII be sent 10 all shippers and COM
merCial clubs, asking that a large con-
vention De held in this city TO take unit
co action. The letter reads:
Wichita, Kan, Feb. 81, 1896.
The Wichita Commercial club, realizing
the great benefits that will result TO the
people Of Kansas by the successful COM
pleJion of the deep water port at Gal
weston, urgently invites the attention TO
the importance Of the subject and calls
upon the enterprising business men of
this great region tributary to the Gulf
Of Mexico 10 take advantage of the time
now so OppoTtune for the formation of a
commercial alliance that will solve the
grea test difficulties in the way of that
growth and prosperity that natural and
equitable conditions would bring to the
people
The time has come when our people
need 10 longer point 10 the east and ex-
claim: There is the sea" We are in
communication with the deep water
port at Galveston a thousand miles
nearer. Nothing but imbecility and a
willingness to submit to unWarranted
eNtortion viii excuse a determined eff
fort for commercial emancipation, when
The opportunity is present and within
our reach.
Commercially speaking. Galveston il
rs near the ports Of foreign nations as
are New York. Philadelphia. Boston and
Baltimore. The distance from Calves
ton to central Kansas is about $50 miles,
while the distance from New York to
central Kansas is about ], 700 miles.
1t IS with no sectional or unfrien!ly
spirit that we assert that there is not
that community Of interest between the
extreme east and the west that makes
q commercial alliance between the two
longer profitable or desirable to
our people. If we are moved by no
other considera tons the time has come
when We must, for self-prOtection
against the encroachments Of combined /
corporate power, join hands with that I
section Of our country which has mutual /
wrongs 10 redress and mutual benefits !
ID exchange
The Gulf Of Mexico is the natural out
ct Ter the surplus products of this
state. IL is the natural sea port from
whence should come every pound of /
from foreign lands. That /
L will in fact become so is inevitable to 4
the manifest benefit of the people
Shall we enjoy the benefits now. or
wait for the gradual wearing away OF /
existing conditions. is the question be- /
fore US. The south invites us with out /
stretched hands. 1t is in her friendship f.
and cooperation that we will find an /
Inseitish co-labOrer in the work of max
ng happy and prosperous people
The Wichita Commercial club earn |
fly requests the people not only OF |
Wichita. but Of the whole state. to unite
some action looking to the esta blish-
Glent of early and closer commercial re-
ationS with the city of Galveston.
We suggest as appropriate and bene-
fetal in this direction that the business
neu Of this state be requested to call
public meetings in their respective 10
.alit.es to petition their representatives
= congress. the governor, the interstate
commerce commission and the state
board O. railroad commissions, to use
heir influence and efforts to relieve the
people of this state from the present I'M
lust and terminating freight rates
l"W being charged to Gulf ports by the
southwestern railway combination.
Railroad rates should be adjusted 70 |
The common law principle of compensa-
ion according 10 service, so much per
ton per mile. on a mileage basis in the
same proportion according to distance
with the rate now in effect to the At
ante seahoard points the rate from CEN
trail KANSAS points to Galveston on corn
would not exceed 10 or II cents per bush
FL While the present rate now being
charged IS IS cents per bushef. making
4 di!,elenC Of ! cents per bushel- =
greater part of which the railroad pool 1
absorbs, which rightfully belongs TO the
producer
out IF the two hundred millions OF
bushels Of corn produced i'm the state of |
Kansas last year probably one-half will
go Yer export. which calculated on diff
ference Of cents per bushel. would !
amount to several million Of dollars 10
he state Of Kansas on last years crop
'lone. 70 say nothing Of the wheat and
rat crops.
With the new and direct lines Of rail-
cad leading direct to New Orleans and |
Galveston. Kansas City should no lon
;er be considered a baSing point or
gateway f|Sr the grain Of central and
Kansas. and the produc-
rs Of this territory should not be COM
'ele5 la ship their grain two 70 three
hundred miles northeast in order to
START il for the Gulf ports. but just
anG reasonable rate direct to the Gulf
ports from this territory should be de
handed
NJ several cities and towns in cen
"a! ana southwestern Kansas and Ok
ahelha VAL he requested 10 select one or
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