The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-28
WANT AN ELEVATOR
Mr.. EEVELING MAKES SOME
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.

VIII Dehand an Adjustment u sne
Freight Rate Ousstion-some Advant-
ages of the Elevator to the Farmers.
K. Neveling of the Grain company
that bears his name writing to the Ea-
gle this morning on very important
subject says:
1--WE have noticed with some interest
the efforts that are being made in order
to have an elevator erected at this
point. and now that the matter has
been brought before the people of Wich-
tia again, we would suggest that moth
ing should be left undone that would
tend to secure this very desirable &C
u,1isition TO the business Adjustments
of the city, and we think the present
time is about as opportune for the ac-
complishmant of the undertaking as
any we may expect.
The subject has been discussed time
Ind again. and to say anything further
On the matter seems out of place. What
we want now is action, and unless the
business men of Wichita take hold IN
fead earnest we doubt very much II
we will have the elevator. We have
no doubt, that with some solicitation,
Galveston or Kansas City parties could
oe induced 70 erect the house, but we
ran rest assured that if erected by par
ties interested in the above named cit
!es, that it will be run in and for the
interest of these cities, and the welfare
Of Wichita will be q secondary consid-
era tion. It seems to US, If the people
Of Wichita could but realize the impor-
lance that a good elevator would bring
h. 81 \
time spirit of enterprise would come to
the front, and the necessary funds for
the erection Of 100000 or 25000 bushel
house could be raised in a very short
period Of time.
II does not seem necessary to enumer-
ate the many advantages which would
accrue TO this city from having an ele-
vator of the above mentioned capacity
as any thoughtful business man who
has given the subject any consideration
will have satisfied himself on this mat
ter. One of the most important ad-
van tages which would follow the cree
ton of the elevator would be in the
matter of freight rates. Great efforts
are being made by the Commercial
club of this city to secure more just
and reasonable rates on grain for all
the territory tributary to Wichita and
this undertaking is very commendable,
and we trust they will be successful in
obtaining the relief sought. In fact,
1t does seem that their labors in behalf
Of the people of this section are TO be
crowned with some degree of success
But we ask, is not the Commerce
club fighting against great odds, and
after securing for the people Of this
section some relief. wherein is Wichita
going to derive any special benefit.
Wichita does the fighting and the 9TH
er fellow gets the spoils- Are we going
10 lend our assistance to John Bull tao
tics and when the war is over, sit
down and take a dose of John Bulls
medicine? 1t would appear so.
Wichita at present is no better
equipped for the handling of grain than
Is Valley Center; how can we ask or ex-
pect any privilege from the railroads
other than stations of Valley Center's
size enjoy? Make Wichita an elevator
point where the grain can be accumu-
lated and distributed in any direction
and we will wager that e'er long Wfch-
tia win have no necessity to fight for
her rates, but will receive them as a
matter OF policy, from the roads. This
talk of give us the rates and we will
build the elevator seems to us to be the
reverse Of what it ought TO be. Let
us help ourselves in legitimate way as
far as we can, and embrace every op-
portunity to take advantage of our po-
sition, and it will not be long until as
sistance will he received from the roads
But how can we ask, or by what right
Fan we expect the railroads to assist
US in matters of freight rates on grain
when it is a fact, that we cannot offer
z road a single pound of tonnage in
position, as far as our grain trade is
concerned, we are of no more import
ince than some flag station.
I'VE have an abiding faith in Wichita
and her people, and we know that what
ever is for the public good. if properly
championed will be accomplished and
right here Let US say, that we admire
the persistency with which you have
always advocated the erection of eleva-
tors here. In the early eighties, we un-
derstand you brought the importance
Of the matter before the people Of
Wichita, and we trust the zeal which
you have displayed from that 10 the
present time, will be increased, TO the
md, that the people may be le9 70 re-
AliZe that which is for their best in
terests as a business community"
In connection with the remarks Of Mr.
Neveling It would not be an idle boast
to say that in very short time Wich-
lta viii have an elevator. There are
forces now at work in that direction.
The matter is being given more serious
attention at the present time than ever
before. One OF the reasons for this
increa sed interest is the fact that more
money has been spent in this county
this year for the building Of additional
cribs and bins to store away the sur
plus corn and wheat of the county than
would build an Immense elevator in
Wichita. the central point of the coun-
ay. as we'll as the great competitive
railroad center. And what good do
these additional cribs and bins do be
sides sheltering the grain? Absolutely
none. The cost involved would, as
stated, build an immense elevator and
1t is unnecessary to recite the import
ence of an elevator 10 the farmers
They could shell their corn in the win
ter when they are doing nothing else.
then they could put ii in the elevator
and get a warehouse receipt for II and
This receipt would be cash practically.
II they got short of money they could
take ii 10 the bank and get a loan on
Il al light rate of interest. AS il is
the grain in the cribs and bins is a long
way from town with an uncertainty
as 10 when il could be marketed profit
Ably, uninsured and hence not security
that would justify banks loaning mon
sy on II al as reasonable a rate Of in
terest as otherwise. Then there is the
matter OF insurance that cuts a big
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