The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-05-07

see what billiards. and snow storms
| will do for you. AT one time i had
three hundred cars of grain sidetracked
between Kansas City and St. Louis by
reason of a snow storm that delayed
| them more than week. Imagine the
situation at such times along the more
| northerly route to Chicago.
Let US refer TO the project of the ex-
port company and see whether there
is not something in ii for US too. At
the present time Guthrie is nowhere.
Galveston is nothing to us-St Louis
| is out Of reach-and Kansas City gets
more from US than she gives. So far
as our surplus products are concerned
we are beyond the bounds of any base
| that has power TO dictate to any rail-
road or influence rates.
! Railroads do not make concessions
| 10 small shippers. No individual
| raises enough grain TO justify shipment
| at less than regular tariff figures. A
volume of business which secures the
| road regular and steady run of
traffic will bring rates to the minimum
Concentrat ton Of grain has been aud
must continue TO be a means to accom-
plish this end.
''The argument upon this point is set
| out in the circular Issued by the ex-
port company. II is an essential fea-
ture and necessary to the success of
| the project So far as our interests
are concerned there is no location bet
ter adapted as a base than Wichita.
| 1t is in the midst of region from
which are obtained some of the largest
| LOT oT in - Tr1r-r
the flow 70 Galveston everything along
the road goes with it upon correspond
| ingly favorable terms. In this case
| Wichita cannot have monopoly of
the benefits. intermediate points may
snare them II they Will
Everything We possess, or that we
shall ever have, is the product of the
ground, whether animal, mineral or
vegetable. The activities necessitated
in their production, manufacture and
exchange, are what We call business,
and We expect as a result OF thriving
business that which we call prosperity.
No mental grasp can take in a proper
conception of the magnitude Of the
single business Of grain moving. The
export demands of themselves require
thousands of cars, and ships by the
hundred, and the local traffic to meet
the wants OF nome consumption in
wolves yet more.
Get a good run of grain permanently
established over any railway and the
general tariff sheet is modified in the
interests Of the shipper. The rate is
always less the larger and more regu-
lar the business. The constant use of
the track, the forces the engine and
cars, the operation of the plant to its
mi h
lower the rates and still make more
for itself. Certain salaries and wages
must be paid whether the business is
good or bad, and the track and repair
expenses are not much diminished by
a falling off in the tonnage. The only
"sure cure" for high rates is to in
crease the traffic, and this is the essen
tial idea in every suggestion pro-
pounded.
Suppose this grain exporting scheme
becomes a success, what may We reas-
onably expect as natural and certain
sequence? Will the railroad company
wish to haul fheir thousands Of cars
on the return trip empty and without
profit? Will vessels that carry the
grain 10 foreign lands wish TO come
for it in ballast? How forcTble is the
argument that the inevitable result will
be the inaugura ton of an important bus
mess at Galveston which will fill this
gap and provide loads both ways for
cars and vessels.
Then Oklahoma shall derive further
profit. Instead of getting our import |
ed goods by the roundabout way of |
New Orleans, st. Louis and Kansas |
City, we may obtain them direct from |
the Gulf and have the benefit of the |
shorter haul.
This is sure to eventuate. II may
be hindered but it cannot be pre-
vented. II can be permitted TO take
its course and be crowded upon us by
the imperative demands of business, |
or it can be hastened through the con-
certed action of those who have
mind to urge its promotion. If any
enterprise deserves your thoughtful |
consideration and sagacious action,
surely this is one that should not be |
ignored. AS the grea ter includes the |
less, ii is likely to be the solution Of |
many minor problems that have been |
more or less veXing 10 our merchants |
and others who complain that freight |
rates are extortionate.
Il have merely introduced the sub |
ject. The project is one OF vast possi- |
bilities, and worthy of discussion as to |
its matters of detail, as well as regards |
its general scope and purpose"