The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-01
FROM THE ANTIPODES.
A Distinguished Australian Visits the
State House and Leaves Much
Information

Information.
Joseph D. Russell of Brisbane, the
capital of Queensland, Australia com
mercial agent of the Queensland gov
eminent, arrived in Topeka today and
spent some time visiting at the state
house. Mr. Russell came with a let
ter from Prof. Shelton, a formerly of
Kansas man, to Secretary F. D. Co
burn Of the state board of agriculture.
These men had an interesting visit,
after which Mr.. Russell was introduced
to the state board of railroad commits
S1OnerS, the members of which spent
some time in questioning him for in
formation and statistics concerning the
operation, by the government, of the
railroads in Australia.
Mr. Russell comes to the United
States for the first time after an alb
sence of thirty-two years from his old
home in New York, to interest, if pos
sible, the owners of capital and secure
from them investments in the future
of that country.
Speaking of the operation of rail-
roads Mr.. Russell said: Il thought our
system is not what it should be until
I came to this country. Now I am con-
WINGED of the merit of our plan and be-
lieve it to be by far the best which
can be secured.
The construction of a railroad in
that country is not like it is in the
United States. The first thing we do
| is to consider the substantial features
| of the line. This consists first of put
I
| inches. No road is built until thor
| oughIy baIlasted. OF course we have
/ in Australia the same jingoes that you
/ have in this country. The fact is. our
! people are like the people of the Unit
! ed States. They want to ride for
/ nothing and ask that freight be hauled
/ free. However, our freight rates, es-
pecially upon farm products, are much
| lower than in this country, although
| our passenger rates are a little sitter.
! I mean by that the rate is somewhat
I higher.
1--WE do not pay freight on round
! about lines. The government makes
! the rate at so much per ton per mile.
! but the mileage is figured in direct
! line and not by the circuitOus route
usually followed by railroads. In one
/ instance call to mind the distance be-
/ tween two points, following the line
| of the railroad is lis miles. AS the
i crow would fly it is SO miles. This is
! the distance for which payment of
/ freight charges is required. The gov
! eminent practically comedies to the
/ shipper 80 miles of free hauling.
I'VE discriminate in our rates, how
! ever, continued Mr.. Russell, depend
/ ing upon which direction the shipment
! is going. Our markets are all situated
I on the coast and secure the lowest
! rate.
I'VE have also duty on imports which
! is such that protection is afforded to
| our own Industries. We do not have
| a tariff through the operation OF Which
| manufacturers grow rich at the ex-
! pense of the people, but simply a pro-
! lection which keeps out inferior for
! eign products. The country, in my
| opinion, after residence there OF 70
| years, is without an equal in the world.
Just think of it," said Mr.. Russell
| enthusiastically, this is our winter
| time in Queensland We rarely If
| ever have a frost At Christmas we
/ have our summer. Last Christmas
| my family and some visitors who We're
| with US sat out on the veranda OF my
! a7.o mir ami
| bananas mangOes and all those things
| Not only are the climatic conditions
| first class, but the industry OF the
country is something wonderful. The
people of the United States have ap-
| parently as little knowledge about Aus
tralia as the people OF London nave
| about Topeka
| our death rate, figured according to
the English system of estimating NOR
| tality tables, is 11.3S. This is the low
| est found in any country on the globe
In 1895 Australia exported $4,000 tons
of wool so 900 tons of tallOW, 10000 tons
| of sugar hides to the value of 218,OOO
| pounds sterling, pearl shells to the
! value of 5000 pounds sterling and 1000
| tons of tin"
| what is there you don't have in that
country?'' said Commissioner Level
| ling in surprise.
Nothing, my dear sir, nothing" re
| Dlied Mr.. Russell. I'VE have gold, sill
| Yer. coal. wood magnificent timber,
| fine cabinet woods, fruits in fact,
everything which makes life pleasant
and one can live much cheaper there
| than here
| What did that suit of clothes cost
| Won in Australian said Commissioner
| billiard, realizing an opportunity to Sc
| cure some anti-tarim Information.
''WeI, take look at it and see what
| you think Of it.
MY guess would be- said billiard,
chat it is all wool goods and its ap-
| pearance indicates a fine texture"
That suit cost me, made to ORDER
said Mr.. Russell, $15.
| Great Scott!' exclaimed billiard,
| there's a coat that cost me $40 and it
| isn't half as good as yours
Come over and live with US and you
will enjoy these luxuries."
what we want in Kansas, remark
| ed billiard looking out of the window,
lis a reduction of freight rates"
Turn the transportation companies
| over to the government" said Mr.. Rus
| sell ,.--o..,o, -,
Lewelling. ..,,
Mr.. Russell will visit Prof. Shelton s
son at Manhattan tonight and will go
from there to Kansas City, then TO 81
/ Louis, New York. thence via boat TO
| New orleans, up the river to st. Louis,
| chicago and St. Paul, seeking the CO.
operation of wealthy men in the de-
veIoDnnent of Australia, particularly IN
+ba colony of Queensland.