The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-28
tons demanded by the commission


quest it will be without any cOmpulSiOn
from the board said Commissioner
Campbell. I'VE realize he continued,
that this board has no power to COM
pei you to do this. We simply make
this request in the interests OF the peo-
pie of the state
The conference was a fat failure. Alb
sOIutely nothing has been or will be ac-
complished as the result of it. It was
called with hopes of success. 1t adj
journed amid scenes of disgust in
which the commissioners themselves
admitted that they had failed. State
officers guyed the commissioners at the
National last night until they left in
disgust. The effort of the commits
sioners has become the laughing stock
of the railroad men. The general in
dicatiOn of having an elephant on their
hands made the commissioners appear
hOpelessly buried under the weight of
the propositions which they We're con-
tending for, even at the outset The
adjournment was followed by a sigh
Of great relief from the three members
of the board
published in the Journal, and after Mr.
billiards. remarks concerning the COM
plants against the Santa Fe coal rates.
MI Morton said:
I suggest that we have some specific
Information, bill of particulars, be-
fore We proceed.
Tt seems to me-" said B. P. Wag-
grener that the proper method under
which we should proceed would be for
the board to make complaints, or, as
Mr. Morton suggests, furnish US a bill
of particulars, which would show us
the Determinations complained Of
J. w Gleed, representing the Frisco
supported Mr.. Waggener and asked
that the commissioners provide a basis
for the beginning of the investigation.
Mr.. Dillard-If you gentlemen de-
mand specific complaints, 1 will say
that this board believes that your charge
of 10 cents per leo for a haul of first
class freight five miles is unreasonable.
The Santa F'e charges from Kansas
City to Lakeview, 46 miles, p cents per
hundred; to Wellesville, the same dis
lance, the company charges 29 cents.
Mr. Low-The short line makes the
rate, and I imagine that is why the
differences complained of exist.
Mr.. Gleed again urged the commits
sion to furnish a text for the railroads
Mr.. billiard showed comparisons of
rates in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas, the
difference being against Kansas.
How does the population of these
states compare with Kansas" said Mr..
Waggener
we expected that question: retort-
ed Mr.. billiard, land suppose that your
theory is: That to him who hath shall
be given; and, from him that hath not,
shall be taken away
The commission then accented the
suggestion of Mr.. Low to take up the
distance tariffs, and Mr.. billiard said:
Should this board make an order re
ducing the distance tariff, would the
railroads accept it and would you help
enforce it?'
rs this with the understanding that
the legislature shall enact the pro-
posed rates as a maximum law" ask
ed Mr. Waggener.
I'VE know of no such intention" said
Mr.. billiard.
Commissioner Campbell exclaimed:
Il would oppose such action. 1t would
be very unwise, and should not be
done"
President Ripley suggested that the
Iowa rates are unreasonable and have
never done the state at large any good
and have cost the railroads large
amounts of money. The rates were
unreasonable when put in and have re-
manned so ever since, he said.
Mr.. billiard then submitted a table
prepared by the interstate commerce
commission showing that the freight
rates in Texas are Z cents per ton less
than in Kansas.
"Oh, no" said Mr. Morton. IN the
same report you will find table show
ing that the rates per ton per mile in
Kansas are lower than in Texas. Had
we received on Kansas business the
same rate received in Texas. we would
have earned One-half million dollars
more in this state"
Mr.. billiard renewed his question and
asked how low the companies would
permit the rate to go.
Mr.. Waggener-DO you expect us to
put in a rate that is not compensa-
tory?
No sir, we do not" said Mr.. Dill
lard.
Mr.. Richards of the Missouri Pacific
What do you regard as a reasonable
rate, Mr. billiard?
B. F Yoakun, general manager of
the 'Frisco-1as the commission reach
ed any conclusions on that point?
I'VE believe your present distance
tariff is from 20 to 30 per cent too high
replied Mr.. billiard
Does the board expect US to answer
this afternoon 2T' said
I'VE viii give you all the time you
want" said the chairman.
Mr.. YCakum of the Frisco went back
to Mr.. Morton'S proposition that a bill
of particulars should be provided con-
tanning specific charges as to exOrbi-
tant rates and determinations. This,
in my opinion, is the only method by
which we can reach a solution of this
matter.
I'VE will answer any specific charges
or complaints and will do our best to
meet the commission on common
grounds. If, as Mr. billiard says,
only reasonable rates are de-
manded, we can show the COM
missiOners that there are few, If
indeed there is a single instance, in
which the present rates are unreason.
able, and we can prove this to you II
given an opportunity"
Mr.. Lewelling, member OF the com
mission Endorsed Mr.. YOakum's ideas,
and suggested that each of the roads:
after assuring the commissioners of
their intention to act in good faith, ap-
point some one person to represent
them for conference with the commits
sioners and attempt if possible to ar
rive at a reasonable rate.
I'VE should be practical rather than
technical, if we hope to accomplish
anything" concluded Mr.. Lewelling-
Mr. Waggener-DO understand that
the chairman holds that it will be a
waste of time for US to attempt to
prove that our present rates are not
unreasonable?
ss,The commission holds that it will be
a waste of time to attempt to convince
US that your present rates are not too
high" said Mr.. billiard.
well if you have made up your
minds on that subject and refuse to
-. $1,000 Nc have no business here