The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-27
RATE HEARING BEGINS.
Board of Railroad Commission
ers and Representatives of
Railroads in Conference.

Lack OF Eufnc1eDf Recommendations dl
their offices compelled the state board
of railroad commissioners to adjourn
today's conference to the eenate cham
Der, where at 1:80 this afternoon the
first action was taken towards securing
an agreement between the commission
ers and the railroads upon a reduction
of freight rates In Kansas.
The railroad men are participating in
this conference, confident in the belief
that it is a gigantic scheme on the part
of the administration to make political
capital. Feeling as they do, the repre-
sentatives of the railroads are not in
clined to make material concessions
upon the question of rates.
The commissioners deny the imputa-
ton and assert that the part they are
taking is not prompted by political mo-
tives nor a desire to create or foster po-
Htical buncombe, but is an effort to give
to the people of Kansas needed relief
with reference to transportation char
ges.
The hearing. it is believed by the
commissioners, will establish some rea-
sonable ground upon which will end the
controversy, the railroads the one
side maintaining they can't afford to
reduce rates; the people on the other
demanding relief and insisting that in
make needed changes the commission
ers should now do So
The conference as first suggested by
the railroads was to remove existing
Determinations Now the commission
ers propose to demand a general reduc-
tiOn of rates, a step which will be VigOr-
ously opposed by the companies.
Chairman billiard in opening the con-
ference said: I'VE are glad to see so
many Of you here. We hope you are
here in the same spirit in which the
letter from the board was sent to you.
This conference was called with the
hope that out of this conference there
might result a reduction of rates which
are charged by your companies in haul
ing Kansas products to market. The
object of the commissioners is to bring
about a reduction of freight rates. They
know that your position now is that
rates for hauling freight within or
without the state are now as low as it
is possible to make them.
Taking into consideration all of
these facts, however, there is gener-
al opinion among the people of Kan
sas, without regard to politics, that
your present rates are too high. We
admit also the fact that this board can
do but little, owing to its limited pow
er. Yet we hope to show that rates.
particularly with reference to grain,
are now too high and we hope to in
duce you to lower these rates
I'VE shall also ask for reductions in
distance tariffs.
I'VE shall also ask reductions in ex-
listing terminal rates on coal, grain,
live stock and other products.
I'VE hope to accomplish the object
of this conference in a friendly way,
and I desire to say that this board has
no feeling of hostility in this matter
whatever We realize that the people
are dependent upon the railroads, but
they in turn, are dependent upon the
Mr.. Low of the Rock Island was first
to respond to Mr.. billiards. remarks. He
said:
I suggest that we consider one thing
at a time For example: Distance tar
ifs. We could take that up and go into
it in detail.
80 far as the Rock Island is con-
cerned we will never consider a prOpO-
sition to lower the rates on live stock
which now in Kansas are % per cent
lower than anywhere on the face OF the
earth"
Vice President Paul Morton of the
Santa Fe said:
There is no disposition on the part
of the railroads to be unreasonable, but
we would like to know in a specific way
where these complaints come from;
what they are; who makes them and
what the charges are"
sas City to Modoc 397 miles you charge
81. go per ton on coal; to Sherlock $3.70,
which is the same distance. That is a
discrimination of $110.
Ever been any coal shipped there?"
queried Mr.. Morton.
II can't answer that question. Your
tariffs show the rate"
Perhaps the tariff shows it but be-
cause our attention has never been call
ed we have never corrected it,
HAS anyone ever complained about
that rate" continued Mr. Morton
No said Mr. Dillard, but we have
a complaint against your company from