Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-11-30

Marked reductions were through the
railroad secured TO Fort Smith, Ark. and
intermediate territory. greatly improving
Kansas City's position as compared with
st. Louis on all classes and commodities.
The entrance of the Frisco line was care
fully watched. and a successful effort made
TO prevent establishment of st. LOUIS
Kansas City rates as maximum at inter-
mediate points. Hal st. Louis succeeded IN
securing such a basis practically all ter
ritory In Southeastern Kansas and South
! western Missouri would have been on an
equal footing with Kansas City on west
bound rates. Not only have We been grant
ed rates which permit of extension of our
trade relations along the Frisco, which
has heretofore been impossible, but i'm
proved conditions followed on the Kansas
City. Fort Scott & Memphis and Missouri
Pacific lines.
There are certain inequalities which
must be removed along the Frisco. Gov
Kansas and all classes in Arkansas and In
dian Territory, explanation OF which has
been made in circulars published. by the
bureau. Extension of this line from Poteau
to Oklahoma City. very recently completed.
has opened up new territory to kansas
first and only direct line thereby. no injury
VIII be felt by Kansas City if proper effort
Is made 10 retain our business.
Grand Island n Kansas City Line.
The st. Joseph & Grand Island railroad
is rapidly becoming 4 Kansas City line.
While We We're granted changes at stations
reached thereby, our request for eQualiza-
ton with 81. Joseph has not been fully
complied with. although constant effort Is
being made in that direction. We may
look for Increased train service and i'm
proved conditions generally. when what Is
known as the cutoff of this line is COM
pleted from Cover to Carpenter, Mo.
"A recent notice canceling the rule per-
mitting, mixed loading of vehicles and agri-
cultural implements called forth protests
from our implement interests. and notice
was also issued to interior dealers who de-
pend largely. upon this privilege OF loading
in the handling of buggies. The railroads
were induced 10 withdraw cancellation no.
tce and continue former rule in effect.
The latest matter of Importance han
died by the bureau was the proposed con-
solidation of the ST. Louis and Kansas
City Car Service Associations. and in pre-
continuance of headquarters at Kansas
City, We owe much to our members for
prompt response to call contained in circu-
lar No. III. As to the policy of the bureau
during the present year, / could commit
myself in no manner different from last.
Our constant aim and object is to secure
Tor Kansas City the very best rates and
facilities possible to obtain and to prevent
loss OF what We already possess"
Mr.. Trickett's Address,.
Commissioner W. P. Trickett delivered
an address on the work of the Transports
ton bureau. of which he is the head:
The Transportation bureau of Kansas
City, organized and conducted under the
auspices of the Commercial Club for the
protection of mercantile and manufacture
ing interests and the extension of trade
relations, has practically completed its
third term OF three years and January
Will mark the beginning of the tenth year.
The value OF railroads 10 commercial
centers Is almost incalculable. and cities
are of equal value to the transportation
interests. some more SO than others. l
venture the statement in this connection,
based upon careful observation. that Kan
sas City as u whole is more valuable to
all hnr rnttrnnHS fhnn any nfhar ntftr In,
the United States: Notwithstanding the
fact hat some of our lines reach cities of
greater magnitude.
secured i've new lines of railroad. making
a total OF twenty systems and t~hirty-nine
lines. Without an exception our new
possessions have proved immensely valu-
able to the city and the opening of new
territory is but one Improvement incident
to the change. Our adjustment of rates
created has been greatly improved and
such changes made in the operation of
trains as would enable Kansas City to do
her full share of the business.
For years Kansas City was practically
unable to get into the territory tributary
to the Grand Island and Frisco roads. as
neither had the slightest interest ~ this
market, and verypnaturaiiy sought TO ia
yor cities reached by their own rails. Dur
ing that time the opportunity existed for
our competitors TO SO establish themselves
as to render difficult the task you gentle
men now have before you. that of breaking
SUCH business aHllaIOnS. InlS Is DartlC-
Clarly true of the Frisco line. and only dill
gent work on the part of all interests will
secure for Kansas City the business which
is rightfulIy hers.
There is another territory to which |
wish to call special attention. For years
we have sought removal of the obstacle in
the way OF securing trade in Northwest
Missouri and not until completion of the
Kansas City L. Northern Connecting rail-
road were we able to obtain an adjustment
OF rates which Kansas City should never
have hapn denied Thpra {g sufficient hn-i-
less in North Missouri to justify increased
effort on our part. and l believe Il step in
that direction would not prove Improbable.
Oklahoma and Indian Territory.
Probably the most valuable territory to
Kansas City in proportion to size is Okla
homa and Indian Territory. So much has
been said on this point recently on account
of the extension of a St. Louis line to Okla
homa City that very little can at this time
be added. No doubt a majority of those
interested are fully informed as to the sit
uation through issues distributed by our
bureau during the past thirty days. The
value. of this business is recognized by ST.
Joseph. as shown by the action of local
jobbers raising funds sufficient to construct
the new line from Sapulpa to Oklahoma
City. The advantages of Kansas City have
not been seriously impaired. but our bust
ness men should not lose sight of the fact
that there is now a direct ST. Lcuis-Okla-
homa line. and ii is natural to assume
that the jobbers at that point will make
{" AZ otItl liz HUH Io me
trade.
From my point of view. there is a field
In Northern Texas for Kansas City which
our business men do not fully appreciate.
l have had occasion to discuss this matter
with several of our prominent members
during the last six months. and have yet
10 be advised of a venture made upon our
suggestion which has not borne good re-
suits. The rates are such as to permit of
a profitable business being done from Kan
sas City. II properly gone after.
Hard to Sell in Nebraska,
.'of all territory tributary to this mar
ket, Nebraska is the most difficult to sell
to. on account of the excessive rates
charged Kansas City. as compared with
other Missouri river cities and ST. Louis.
A determined effort will be made TO inn
prove this situation. and when the matter
reaches a certain point. of which you will
be advised. the combined force of the
move the unjust di. .iiminations.
IT Will be found that throughout terri
tory Immediately tributary TO Kansas CITY
and competitive with Missouri river and
of time on freights in transit is looked
upon as more important than the freight
charges. which is probably due to the
fact that there exists but a slight differ
ence between rates from the different dis
tributing points. This is the class of BUSH
ness your travelling men should devote spe-
cial attention to, as with little additional
effort it can be ascertained IL
are moved and delivered promptly from
Kansas City.
kansas City as a Basing Point.
The question of making Kansas CITY
a basing point has been discussed in most
all its phases. and 1 feel it my duty as
least my theory of overcoming some, if
not all, the conditions complained If. In