The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-07
AT THE STATE HOUSE.
Railroad Attorneys and State
Railroad Commissioners
TO Confer and Formulate More
Equitable Rates.
Governor ILeedy Says if This is Done
He Win Not Call Special Ses-
sion of the Legislature.

Gov. Leedy has conceded to the rail-
roads an opportunity to put in operation
the reduced rates about which represen-
Hatives of the legal departments OF the
various companies have been comforting
with the state board of railroad COM
missioners.
The governors position, having here
kofore been an unequivocal advocate of
maximum rates, is a surprise, but he
says that if the railroads will furnish
relief to the people on the transporta-
Hion problem, he will be glad to meet
them half way and avoid the great ex-
pense OF securing the ful6lment of his
desires by legislation.
Last Sunday afternoon, as previously
published, the governor and the state
board of railroad commissioners held
a. long conference behind locked doors,
Ahe commissioners reciting to the gov
RTnor the statements which had been
made before them by A A. Hurd, M.
"A Low and other representative rail-
road men.
The governor is reported to have said
TO a member of the commission:
Whatever the railroad attorneys Of
Ter to do, by all means have it reduced
In writing. Put them where there will
be no lodging. If they mean what they
say, let US give them an opportunity
TO act. If they propose to continue in
their present practices, something must
be done, whether or not they act
This last statement is taken to mean
that the governor will take up the sub
ject of a special session and see what
effect that will have.
A member of the commission is re-
ported to have said:
1.-THE governor and the commissioners
have decided that the railroad lawyers
will be given a hearing, at which they
will be expected to present their plan
10 get at the proposed reduction of
rates When this plan is discussed by
the commission and the governor, if it
has any merit whatever, the railroads
will be requested and expected to re
duce their proposition to writing and
present it properly certified and signed.
The governor and the commission
will become parties to the agreement,
which il is hoped will be effected and
become the basis for the much needed
and absolutely necessary reduction of
freight rates.
When the hearing will take place re-
mains unsettled. The governor is said
TO have counselled as much haste as
would be consistent with good results
and urges the railroads.
This conference demonstrates that
khe state board OF railroad commission
ers, however far apart they may have
seemed to be during the visits of the
railroad lawyers to the Offices of the
commissioners for the purpose of con-
ferences, will work together as far as
possible. But as the governor told B.
p. Waggener when ne first suggested
such a conference, 1.-The people will
commend the railroads in proportion to
the earnestnesS manifested and the good
accomplished in this matter
When this hearing is arranged, about
which there is so much secrecy, all the
Kansas lines will be represented. The
Santa Fe, Rock Island, Missouri Paci-
fic, Katy, Fort Scott and Memphis,
Pittsburg and Gulf, Frisco, Wichita
and Western, Union Pacific, Hutchin-
son and Southern, B. and O., and other
ainesif there be any which tap or touch
the state, will enter the agreement and
permit the commissioners and rate men
of the various lines to prepare the
schedule of rates.