The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-28
REFUSED IN ADVANCE.
Railroad Commissioners Demands
are Rejected Before Reaching
the Companies.

In accordance with the agreement
reached at yesterdays conference the
state board of railroad commissioners
has made a formal demand upon the
Kansas railroads for reductions Of
freight rates and has sent out the fol-
lowing letter:
representatives of the railway comPa-
MES doing business in Kansas and this
board, May 81, after the board had YER
bally stated its views with reference to
a reduction of freight rates charged by
the several companies for the carrying
of freight, the representatives of the var
iOus companies requested that the
board submit to the companies its views
and wishes in writing.
In accordance Herewith, the board
deems the following reductions reason
able, and asks that the same be made:
"A reduction of 20 per cent upon the
distance tariff schedule now in effect in
"A reduction of 20 per cent upon ex-
"A reduction of Is per cent upon ex-
listing grain and grain produce rates.
"A reduction of per cent upon ex-
listing rates upon live stock
THE board is of the opinion that the
best way to- arrive at this reduction, if
the companies will agree thereto, is for
the board to make an order covering
the above mentioned rates, and for the
companies to agree to put them in force
and effect within a reasonable time"
An index to the probable action of the
a demand is evidenced by the following
statements:
President Ripley: 1.-THE Santa Fe
cannot, under any circumstances sub
nit to such reductions. The present
rates, compared with general conditions,
are reasonable, and it is unreasonable
to demand such reductions"
Vice President Morton: The Santa
Fe cannot make the reductions de-
manded."
General Manager Yoakum of the
Frisco; Our company will not agree
to such reductions. They are unreason-
able and unjust
J. H. Richards of the Missouri Pa
cihc; Those reductions cannot be
made by the Kansas railroads under
any circunstances. I am astOnished
that the commissioners should make
such unreasonable demands"
J. w. GIeed of the Frisco: 1.-THE de-
mand is unjust and it is my opinion
that our company will not agree to any
such reductions
T. N. Sedgwick of the M K. & T
In justice to our employees, the owners
of the road, in fact the company in all
respects, we cannot afford to make such
sweeping and unreasonable changes as
are demanded by the commissioners"
]. ]. Fletcher of the Memphis: Our
road cannot and in my opinion will not
commission
NJ. A. Low of the Rock Island: 81
have nothing to say. do not care to
reply to a communication which have
not received"
Mr.. Low said yesterday before the
commissioners that his company would
not for a moment, consider any propo-
sition to lower the existing live stock
rates.
Charles S. Gleed: st do not believe
the demand made by the commission
ers is fair; the rates now are reasona-
pie; no one can prove the contrary and
l do not believe the railroads will agree
to any such reductions"
A. L. Williams of the Union Pacific.
Il think this whole business is a polftf-
cal scheme, and I am astonished that
the commissioners should make such
unreasonable Demands