The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-09-11
THAT ELEVATOR PLAN.
Topeka Grain Men Do Not Be-
IieVe That Pres. Stickney
Of the Maple Leaf, Intends to
Carry 1t Out
In All the Details First Broached-
Mr.. Stanford of the Capital
Elevator Talks.

The grain deaIrs of tn west do not
regard as something destined to mater
tally affect the handling of the grain
trade IN the west and southwest the
gigantic scheme of the Chicago & Great
Western railroad, mentioned in the dis
patches few days ago, by which a
series of monster elevators are to be
built at different points throughout the
country and business of the railroad
identified with the business of the Iowa
Development company and the Anglo
American Grain and Provision Co., two
of the largest grain companies in the
world. It is believed that the scheme
viii settle to a much smaller basis, and
that it is but move towards self-pro-
lection on the part of the Chicago &
Great Western railroad.
Mr.. S. NJ. Stanford, president of the
Capital elevator in this city and proba-
bly, one of the best informed men on
grain matters in the west, in speaking
of the proposed scheme said:
THE only object, I think, which
President Stickney would have in put
ting such scheme in operation would
be the manipulation of freight rates,
and at the same time the protection of
his road. By Identifying the interests
of the Iowa Development company and
the AngIO-Amer1can Grain and PrOVis-
ion company with those of the railroad
the plan would be to make sufficient
in the handling of the grain to cover
the loss Occasioned in hauling the
freight at a reduced rate.
The question of putting the scheme
through depends alone on the amount
of money they can raise for the con-
struction and equipment of elevators.
don't think that more than three ele
vatOrs will be built, one at Kansas
City, one at Minneapolis and one at
Buffalo. In my judgment there is no
reason why more than three elevators
should be built. The western grain can
be shipped through to Kansas City as
easily as it can be shipped to Topeka.
In the matter of the scheme proving
of permanent benefit to the western
producers, I don't think that 1t will.
The Chicago & Great Western railroad
isn't any more anxious to play philan-
thropist to the western farmers than
any of the other roads. They may
build the elevators and come into the
field, and then reduce the rate and
thereby raise the price paid to the pro-
ducers for their grain. The other road
will stand this until business COM
mences to leave, and will then make
similar reduction. If such a condition
as this would become permanent, then
the producers would be benefited, but
no railroad will continue to handle bus
mess at a loss, and all such things
equalize themselves sooner or later
Il don't think Mr.. Stickney has any
intention of handling more than his
roads share of the grain business of
the west and southwest. The scheme
of the Chicago & Great Western will
not mean a war on the other roads or
in my opinion even material change
in the present conditions. Only in the
event of q rate war will that road have
the advantage They can then mani
puIate rates as they wish without ref
erence to the interstate commerce COM
mission, as they can prove that they
are handling their own property.
1.-The plan of owning elevators is not
new. All the trunk lines of the east
own large elevators. The only new fea-
ture is that of a railroad buying and
handling grain