The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-02-20
BLUE TAKES A HAND
Puts His Finger in the Corn Railroad Rate
War.

Topeka, Kan. Feb. 19.-The people
of this state viii be pleased to know
that the corn rate situation has at
tracted the attention of the Kansas del
egation in congress. Congressman
Blue, in letter to the state board of
railroad commissioners states that the
Kansans are making an effort TO &C
complish something that will relieve
the situation.
Mr.. Blue inquired for information
concerning the corn rate which has
been furnished in the following letter
mailed yesterday by Secretary B. L.
Flenniken.
Your letter of February u is re-
ceived, and for answer l am directed
by the board Of railroad commissioners
to say that the corn rate now in effect
upon Kansas roads is substantially as
il mad been for years prior to October
8. 1895 AT the latter date some of the
roads and within a few days thereafter
the remainder of the roads operating
in or through Kansas put in force new
tariffs by which the corn rate from
Kansas points to the Gulf ports was
variously reduced. The result was
large shipments of that grain directly
south to those ports. This appears to
have been unsatisfactory TO Kansas
City and some of the eastern roads
and presumably through their efforts
the rates in force prior to October 3.
1895, were on January 20. 1885, restored
with a consequent immediate stoppage
of shipments of grain south and a de-
crease in the market price of corn in
numerous points in Kansas from l to
cents per bushel. 1t is impractical
hi in LOT m tn h.a ipr
in detail as regards all Kansas points
affected, therefore Wichita is selected
as an illustration to show wherein the
interstate commerce act is violated and
also how the shippers and producers
are injuriously affected by the present
rate.
The short line distance from Wichita
to New Orleans is go miles; TO Gal
weston 704 miles, and these distances
are used as a basis upon which to es-
ablish comparisons in shipments from
different points in Kansas TO the Gulf
ports mentioned. For the purposes of
this Illustration examples will be con-
fined to the Santa Fe and Rock Island
routes through Kansas, though other
routes enable the same showing. BY
the routes mentioned the short line dis
lance from st. Joseuh, Mo. to New Or
ttdiS IL lilo UllitS, 10 NdlN Is ION SOt
miles; the rate per 100 pounds on corn
is q cents, and the shipment passes di-
rectly through Wichita, point 233
miles nearer the ports men toned over
the same lines in the same direction,
whence the rate TO the same ports is 81
cents-a clear violation of the fourth
section of the act TO regulate commerce
among the states. From Leavenworth.
Kan, New Orleans Is distant 1.136
miles: Galveston $50 miles; the rate per
100 pounds on corn is q cents; from
Wichita, 226 miles nearer the southern
termini, the rate is 81 cents.
From Kansas City. Kan. the dis
lance 10 New Orleans is 1924 miles: to
Galveston 91S miles; the rate, y cents
per 100 pounds; the rate from Wichita,
PA miles nearer. is 81 cents
From Aochison, Kan. 10 New Or
leans. 1,122 miles:to Galveston 916 miles
rate y cents; rate from Wichita, 2l2
miles nearer. - cents.
HoltOn, Kan. TO New Orleans, 1895
miles; to Galveston SIS miles; rate 80
cents; from Wichita, 1S4 miles nearer,
rate 80 cents.
Lawrence. Kan. to New Orleans. l.
O94 miles: 70 Galveston. SIS miles; rate
IS cents; rate from Wichita, 1S4 miles
nearer, % cents.
Topeka. Kan, 10 New Orleans. 1854
miles; 10 Galvestn $50 miles; rate, 80