The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-28


Mr.. Morton then said he believed Mr..
billiards. position was absolutely unfair
and that it was wholly unjustifiable.
A. L. Williams asked the commits
sioners if it was fair to the roads to
intimate that a general reduction
should be made, and that following the
assertion that unreasonable rates
would not be demanded, the roads were
asked to pledge a reduction in advance,
not considering what might be the re-
suit, and then contrary to all estab-
lished rules of evidence, refuse to give
the companies a hearing.
This caused an extended explanation
from Mr.. DillaTd, who said that if the
. companies desired to go before the
commission and attempt to prove that
the present rates are unreasonable, 1T
is nothing more or less than an indi-
cation that you desire to do nothing
and Will do nothing. This conference
would then just as we'll end. I do not
mean that you gentlemen shall not be
given an opportunity to present evil
dence, or defend your case, at all. I
am sorry that you gentlemen have so
interpreted my statements"
I'VE are at this time replied Mr.
Williams, very much in the position
of the chicken. in the good old days
when birds could talk. which was sum-
mOned before the philosopher securely
bound in basket for conference.
You have been summoned" said
the philosopher, Ito decide whether
your head shall be cut off or your neck
shall be Wrung."
If you please. sire said the chick
en-, I prefer neither
"Oh, no." exclaimed the philosopher,
you wander from the subject
THE railroads are much in the same
position as was the chicken. Mr. Dill
lard and the commissioners wander
from the subject"
This caused a general laugh at the
expense of the chairman, who again
fastened to reassure the representa-
uVes of the railroads that he did not
mean to preclude them from the oppor-
tunity of presenting evidence with ref
erence to their rates.
Charles S. Cfleed, referring to Mr..
billiards. remark that from him who
hath not should be taken away" said:
If that be the policy of this hearing
I defy any man to show that the Kan
sas railroads are in a position differ
ent from that. They have been in bank
ruptcy for years. None of them are
earning 4 per cent on the investment.
The present rates then only in specific
instances, should be complained of and
the roads be given an opportunity to
correct these instances of discrimina-
ton and unfairness. The roads should
be given an opportunity to reply to
specific complaints and not defend the
entire system of rates in effect"
Mr.. billiard ended the anxiety as to
what reductions the commissioners de
sired by submitting a request for the
following reductions:
On coal rates, 20 per cent
On grain rates, Is per cent.
On live stock rates, 5 per cent.
THE Missouri Pacific wants time to
answer that request" said Mr.. Rich
ards.
J. W. Gleed-If the roads made those
reductions would the commissioners be
satisfied?
Mr. billiard Speaking for myself,
they would be.
Mr.. Campbell-It would be entirely
satisfactory to me.
Mr.. Lewelling did not respond. He
wants a fiat rate on everything and is
not in sympathy with the demand made
by billiard and Campbell. believing that
it does not extend far enough and that
distance tariffs should be included
Mr.. Morton then proceeded to a dis
cussiOn of rates with the board. He
said: I'VE much prefer that you re-
duce your demands to writing. so that
we may know who is Complaining
We are complaining" exclaimed Mr..
billiard.
we are not getting any great
amount of business from you gentle
men"
Mr. Morton asked if there is any rea-
son why the commission should insist
that the railroads should bear more
than their share of the burdens of ad-
versity which have visited Kansas and
the western states during the past few
years.
No, we do not want to do anything
of that kind We believe. however, that
the policy of the railroads has been to
take everything that traffic would bear.
Now we would like to have them give
the people a chance"
That is, perhaps. in a measure true,
ranlfed Mr. Morton yet are we given
to understand that no difference how
disastrous rate may be, we should
place it in effect just because the peO-
pie want reductions?
Does this commission insist upon
compelling US to put in rates that are
not compensatory to the company?
In other words, does this commission
propose that we shall make the COM
pany we represent subject to de-
crease in revenues simply because of
this conferences?
This fire of questions from Mr.. Nor
ton, who in fact did most of the talk
ing for the railroad men, temporarily
astonished the commissioners, but
Chairman billiard recovered his equi-
librium and managed to say:
mo, all we want you to do is to act
in a shirt of fairness and justice"
IF that be the basis of your effort to
secure reduced rates, then we will meet
you any time or any place. But the
utterances of the chairman TO the erect
that we would not be permitted to IN
troduce evidence or have a hearing do
not accord with his recent statements
with reference to the same subject IN
which ne says the commission wants
simple justice.
- hesitate to say it. but neverthe-
less it is true, I believe" said Mr. Nor
ton with a smile, that the comnls-
siOners themselves 90 not know "HsAO
they want
Although they die not admit at once
the truth of Mr.. Morton's remarks, the
look on Mr.. billiards. countenance IN
dictated that he was in accord with the
tenor thereof.
There were some desultory remarks
passed around by the various railroad
men and the commissioners talked
among themselves, after which the
conference" adjourned, with the IN
Outstanding that the commissioners
oiiroads the demands for reductions,
accompanied by specific reasons why
the changes were demanded. While the
commissioners had such an opinion, and
go leaving the senate chamber had
made up their minds that the demands