The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-10
KICK HAS CONE
General Complaint of Advance
in Freight Rates.
HOW PRICES HAVE RISEN
Reason for Delay in Cone and
Cornell Building.
HOW PRICES HAVE RISEN

The Wichita railroad. commercial and
general agents have been busy during the
past two weeks answering inquiries re-
garding the advance in rates on various
commodities. One of Wichita's agents
said yesterday: Like every other com
modify for sale or use, railroad transpor-
aation is steadily advancing. The upward
course of freight rates began more than
a month ago and it has been steadily
proceeding ever since. 1t shows no sign
of having reached the highest point or OF
having taken in all the articles on the
list that il is the intention to cover.
Grain, coal and building material were
the first to be affected, but gradually
other things were embraced and now ii is
sntimated that no commodity will be
omitted from the general advance, but all
will have to bear an equitable proportion
in the increased cost Of transportation
The rates have all been checked and the
advances agreed upon, but the date ef-
fective has not yet been given publicity.
AS an illustration Of how building ma
terial has advanced, the iron cormce
work which would have cost 1925 for Cone
&, CornelTs new laundry building year
ago. would not cost $3.50. Other stuff has
advanced almost in proportion.
1.-THE general advance IN rates is justi-
fed by the traffic officials in the general
advance in the prices of al commodities.
1t costs considerably more to carry on
the operation of a railroad than it did a
year ago. The market price of every artl-
Gle required in the maintenance and oper-
alton Of a railroad has enhanced in value
and unless the roads can get more for the
work performed by them, they claim they
will have to go into bankruptcy, while
every other industry is prospecting. Some
of the railroads contracted for steel and
cars before the advance in values, but
the majority were unable to make con-
tracts until after the general advance II
Drices had been settled. The railroads
have been carrying the burden for Ions
time and while the general markets have
been steadily advancing, freight rates
generally have been the same, and tn
executives think it is about time the!
were enjoying part of the general pros
perity.
Throughout the period Of general de
pression many attempts were made TO al
vance and maintain rates. They all prove
ahortive. If the advances were put IN
all. they were not maintained two day
dn succession. 1t is now declared VIII
much confidence that the advances WI
hold. There is an immense business I
be handled, with comparatively Unite
facilities for doing the work. The ca
famine is serious all over southern Kan
eas Oklahoma and other places. Shir
ners generally will doubtless be willing
nav the advanced rates if they are there
by assured of prompt service. Owing
the scarcity of cars, traffic othclals nav
refused to make contracts in advance an
the advanced rates were collectible
once. Under ordinary conditions, niue
opposition would have been manifested I
an advance IN rates, but the railroads ar
sicinated such a move by making the ac
vances gradually. One thing at a tim
was taken. so that any general outer
AGAINST the rise was avoided.
1.-THE postponement of the classihci
4ion meeting until early in December wa
in the nature OF a respite The easter
lines contemplate a great many change
and the western classification committ'
postponed its meeting 50 that its actic
would be uniform with thata Of the cas-
ern roads. The general increase in II
business offered has had the effect
etiffening the general rate situation. ar
now It is impossible to get concesSl'
of any sort. whereas formerly rebau
and concessions were as free as air.
To Wash Table Linens.