The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-26
TALK ABOUT RATES
WE'LL KNOWN GRAIN MEN GIVE
THEIR VIEWS OF KANSAS CITY.

They Declare That the Recent Order Fore
ing All Grain Intended for Shipment to
the Sea Board Via Kansas City is an
Outrage Worse Than Highway Robbery
and VIII Rob Wichita and Adjacent
Counties Out of Thousands of Dollars
1t is Unjust aud Discrimination for the
Commercial Club to Think About
Wichita grain men are red hot with
reference TO the high handed robbery
made upon them and the corn produc-
ers tributary 10 Wichita, and viii pre-
sent certain startling facts TO the Com
mercial club and also the farmers Of
Southern Kansas.
If one was 10 judge from the tone Of
the shippers, both here and at Calves
ton, the Kansas City cut-throats viii
be called 10 answer for the crime Of
robbing the people OF South Kansas
out Of over $1,000, 900 taken directly from
the corn crop raised last year.
prominent shipper was met yester-
day and ne was ready 10 talk. Among
other things he said:
When il become an assured fact
that Southern Kansas was 10 be bless
which ever blessed a country the men
at the mouth OF the Kaw set about 10
steal the crop if possible, and the fol-
lowing carefully prepared article taken
from the Kansas City Star will show
how successfully they have succeeded
in their attempt. The article reads:
Grain rates on export shipments
from Kansas and Nebraska 10 Atlantic
coast and Gulf Of Mexico ports We're re-
c-+n -..
before the recent demOraliZa ton set
in. The restoration of rates viii great
~ assist Kansas City as a grain mar
ket and will bring heavier shipments,
especially for gulf ports. through this
gateway. There is no certainty, how
ever, as to how long the rates will be
maintained. as the North and South
lines are working for and securing the
bulk Of the export grain business at
the expense of Chicago, ST. Louis and
Atlantic ports.
Some time ago the railroads reduced
rates on grain shipments from Kansas
and Nebraska points to New Orleans
and Galveston. As a result grain was
sent direct 10 the south by the prOduc-
erS. Kansas City'S grain interests Suf-
fered 10 a considerable extent while
Chicago and st. Louis were hard hit
by the diverting of the grain traffic
n. j.
the Transportation bureau and dele
gate from the Board of Trade held a
conference with the traffic managers
of the interested railways at St. Louis
recently and as a result it was agreed
that the rates should be restored on
Jan. 20. Kansas City did not ask that
the rates be restored a [ the expense Of
the shippers-what it really wanted
was a reduction in the grain rates TO
I,se .s% q, -,
and make more business for the rail-
roads. Kansas City is the nearest and
best grain market for Kansas and Ne
braska shipper and will become a great
grain redistributing market as a result
of the movement of export grain to
Gulf of Mexico ports.
At the St. Louis conference ii was
agreed TO refer the whole rate question
to J. n. Faithorn for adjustment, with
the understanding that he should rem
der his report before yesterday, in or
der that any changes which he recon-
mended should become effective then,
or as soon thereafter as possible. The
Kansas City, Fort Scott and Memphis
withdrew its consent to the appoint
ment of Mr.. FaithOrn as the sole arbi-
traitor, and insisted upon a second re-
fierce being named. This has been done,
Mr. r. Howe. the nominee of the Kan
ing selected. 1t is expected that these
gentlemen will take the matter up at an
early date. Executive officers of the
lines in interest will meet today to con-
slider the division of tonnage"
q doubt if ever there was such a
high-handed outrage attempted upon a
people who are oppressed by the smooth
~ prepared device. You see it looks
simple upon its face but il means a
Of dol 70, 2 n,
people. / want TO ask the people of the
country adjacent to Wichita a few prac
teal questions in replying to the article
taken from the Star, and then see If
they are willing to sir by and see this
outrage carried into effect without
bringing an injunction suit. If the
Commercial clubs of Wichita and Okla
hOma City, whose people are being rob-
bed by the scheme are willing that il
should be permitted well and good, but
1 can not think they are ready 10 sur
render TO this outrage and give them a
few thoughts.
rs it right to force the people OF
Western and Central Kansas TO ship
and export their surplus grain through
Kansas City at an additional cost Of
~ cents per bushel? \ sum which
ought to move i nearly 10 tide water,
when the natural outlet and most di-
IttI Iouie - ~ way 'l New DIltdIi9 Ut
Galveston? The direct mileage 70 New
Orleans is 913 miles: 70 Galveston 7O5
miles. By way of Kansas City. New
Orleans j. l.l6l miles; Galveston 9IS
miles. Is il reasonable then that eN-
ports should be routed via Kansas City
when saving OF from 250 10 800 miles
may be made in following ths North
and South lines2
DO the people Of Kansas realize what
this protection of their interests mean