The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-22
COAL RATE HEARING.
Indications Point to a Reduction in
the Rates.

1hC AdIlSetS COd1 rate nearing, III
| which the cities of Wichita, Emporia,
Salina, Usage City and F'redonia and
practically all the railroads of the state
are interested, was commenced before
the board of railroad commissioners
yesterday afternoon.
There is but little doubt that the
hearing will result in a reduction in the
rates on coal as the mem bers of the
board and Attorney General Boyle be-
Heve the rates to be excessive.
Attorney General Boyle conducted
the examination on the part of the
state The following attorneys, repre-
Sent1ng the complaining towns, occu-
pied chairs near him: E. w. Cunning
Mclaughlin, c. S. Martin and B. Hill
burn, Usage City; J. A. Wilson, Salina;
City Attorney Willis, Fredonia; City
Attorney Adams, Wichita.
The Santa Fe was represented al the
hearing by MI. A. A. Hurd, the Mis-
souri, Pacific by Mr.. J. H. Richards and
Judge A H. Horton, the Union Pacific
by Mr.. N. H. Loomis and the M K &
T. by Mr.. T. N. Sedgwick
AT the start of the hearing Mr.. Hurd
suggested that it would probably save
time and expense if Attorney General
Boyle would submit a statement of the
information wanted and allow the rail-
roads to prepare it. Mr.. Boyle, how
ever, was at that time intent on ask
ing questions and ignored Mr.. Hurd's
suggestion.
Mr.. W. J. Hea1y. chief clerk in the
office of the auditor of freight receipts
of the Santa Fe, Mr.. c. r. Hudson,
assistant freight agent of the Santa Fe.
and Mr.. J. c. Lincoln, assistant general
freight agent of the Missouri Pacific,
were examined. Mr.. Healy was ex-
cused after a few questions with the
request that he prepare a statement
showing the monthly freight earnings
of the road from July 1 of last year.
Mr.. Hudson was asked what data
was used in fixing freight rates, and
tance tariffs and governed to a great
extent by competition. He also said
that the length of the haul had an
effect in the fixing of rates.
What other conditions are consider
ed in fixing a rate?" asked Mr.. Boyle.
''None other" said Mr. Hudson.
''Well, your road couldn't exactly be
called an eleemosynary institution,
smiling.
81 don't like for you to use that
word" said Mr.. Hudson, sit rather
scares me-"
think it would seriously injure Mr..
Hudson, and then asked if profits didn't
govern rates to great extent Mr.
Hudson stated that profits were always
taken into account, but that competi-
ton was the greatest element in the
fixing of rates. He said that it often
forced the railroads into making rate
which was a clear loss to them. AS
from Pittsburg to Kansas City.
Attorney Cunningham of Emporia |
then asked Mr.. Hudson the following |
questions:
s.FIow do you reconcile the fact that !
Ottawa, which is approximately the |
same distance from the coal fields as
Enporia pays so cents per ton, while |
the latter city pays $3.50 per ton? If |
one is a just rate, the other must be |
unjust Which is the just one?"
1.-THE Emporia rate is the just one"
said Mr.. Hudson, "and the Ottawa rate
is unjust-uniust to the railroads"
''Why continue it then? =
because we were forced to put in |
the so cents rate to Kansas City, and |
the ruling of the Interstate commerce
prevents US from making
an excess rate to an intermediate
point"
DO you carry coal to Ottawa at
a loss, them"
You say" continued Mr.. Cunning
ham, that competition enters largely
into the fixing of rates. suppose
through some unheard of miracle the
NJ x & T. should cut the rate to Em-
poria from $3.50 to $1.0O, would your
road meet it ?"
Il dare say we would
''And lose money!"
Mr. Lincoln was called upon as a
witness after Mr.. Hudson, and in the
he stated that lower
ate to Kansas City than to any other !
Kansas points of equal distance from
he coal fields would be reasonable be-
cause of trainload hauls. He said that
he coal to other points was largely
shipped in carload lots, and introduced
isures to show that the cost of trans |
oortation in trainload lots was much
over.
The hearing is being continued TO-DAY.
t is probable that Mr.. Hurd's sugges-
ion will be acted upon, and the rail-
Dads requested to furnish the inforna-
ion desired by Attorney General Boyle
This will do away with the necessity
# several days of examination.
An Accommodation Train