The Topeka state journal., 1897-04-28

handling grain and other shipments from
the north. We also found that in the
event reduced freight rates can be Sc
cured Ka-nsas and adjoining states VIII
have the first opportunity 70 secure from
the south the articles which are imported
in preference to the portion of the United
States lying farther east, reached by
long Journey via the water. The Texas
people assured the representatives of the
northern states that We should profit so
stages of the changed conditions which
would follow a reduction of freight rates.
Mexico would also take more of our
corn since the tariff has been removed,
but the freight rates are now practically
prob hibitive- A reduction in rates in that
direction would be worth thousands OF
dOilszrs to Kansas alone. The solution of
the freight rate problem Will in my Opin-
ion. bring to the people OF the middle west
great advantages the scope OF which
one is unable to conceive in a casual
ami1ationS of the conditions in the
south have convinced me of the more
than usual lmpor taElce OF this question
Colorado and New Mexico have notified
the commission they desire TO send rep
resenta tIVeS to the mass convention and
have asked for Information as 10 when 1t
Every effort will be made to facilitate
matters and interest neighboring states
in the plan and convince the railroads
that something must be done for the peO-
pie in this matter.
OF the proposed convention Mr.. Hack
ney. who is secretary of the Kansas
The people are now awakened and the
railroads are also apprised of the fact
that this Is not merely movement of
the dissatisfied element of the people of
any state. neither is it move on the
part of any political party. They also
saw at TIE Austin meeting, men repre-
Senttng the three great parties and unani~
nous in their determination that the gulf
and gulf states should be fairly treated
Nv tTe railroads If the peonIa of the
various states which are tributary to the
gulf will follow up the advantages which
We have already gained. by having q
rOuSing convention during the month of
June at some convenient place, they viii
by force OF public sentiment cOmpel
the railroads to treat this a serious
matter; viii show to them that what Is
the demand from all the people of these
great states can not but be to their in
Jerests and that it will not be safe to
fuse TO accede to the peoples demand
for just trea tment.
This convention. if proper interest is
taken in ii, viii certainly result in
curing TO the people of Kansas and the
west. far better rates that We have ever
prices on our products than We have ever
had before. This is some hing in which
every farmer should take :-n active part
and they should see that their localities
roads of the south see the advantage of
having the products OF our country ship
ped south as In a great many cases il
would add to the tonnage of their lines
largely under the domination of the great
eastern lines IN the matter of the division
OF tonnage and profits and traffic. And.
If the people can make strong enough
showing and manifest sufficient interest
il this matter it will help the railroads to
break lose from their eastern mOOrL1gS
Santa Fe which have through southern
connections would he able 30 say to the
T5ilroad systems and transportation as
SOciatiOnS that their people were growing
VentiOn as an evidence that il was abSo-
lutely necessary to do something.