The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-24
CattIemen and Railroad Officials
Effect a Compromise.
PaSturaI Rates Restored But
the Rest UnmOIeSted.
DISSATISFACTION.
7. NJ. Potter and J. T. White
Say Shippers Surrendered.
Some Sharp SalIies Between
Interested individuals.

Governor Stanley's conference ar
ranged between the Kansas cattlemen
and the railroads ended today, the diff
ferences having been adjusted. J. T.
White claims the adjustment is unfair
and means nothing; Thomas NJ. Potter
says it is a compromise in which the
cattlemen surrendered. The railroad
men claim they have met the cattle
men more than half way, and made
important concessions. However, no
bad temper was manifested.
The conference was resumed at 10
O'Clock this forenoon. 1t was nearly 1
o'clock when it ended. At the opening
the railroads, by Paul Norton submit
ted a proposition which was later
amended by the cattlemen and finally
adopted with the approval of the par
ties at interest, as follows:
'FirSt-A careful comparison of the
cattle rates as now published in Kan
sas with those in effect in Iowa and
Missouri show approximately that the
Kansas rates are not higher than the
rates in these two states, and that the
rates from Kansas points to the Mis-
souri, river markets are lower than from
Iowa and Missouri stations to Chicago
and St. Louis, respectively, for similar
distances, Notwithstanding the much
greater volume of business in Iowa and
Missouri.
''Second-The Kansas railroads will
undertake to put into operation before
the first of April a basis of interstate
pasturage or feeding in transit rates
via direct lines, whereby the additional
cost of stopping cattle in the feeding
lots of Kansas shall not exceed the
through rate to Missouri river points
more than seven cents per 100 pounds
This arrangement to be subject to can
collation. on same notice as any other
interstate rate. The minimum charge
to be SIS
''Third-The railroads agree that any
inequalities as to the relation of rates
between contiguous stations or as to
the relation of rates between cattle and
hogs under the readjustment of rates
to the 100 pound basis will be further
considered with the view of removing
such inequalities.
..Fourth-On, shipments of stock cat
tie to feeding lots in Kansas from sta
tions in Colorado east of Colorado COM
mon points the minimum weight on 36-
foot cars shall be q, 900 pounds.
'Fifth-The railroads will undertake
to arrange with the Kansas City and
St. Joseph stock yards companies so
that the actual weights ascertained by
those yards shall be used, thereby avoid
ing the detention and inaccuracies
claimed on account of the railways
weighing the live stock themselves"
Mr.. White protested against the ad-
jusUnent of the differences along the
lines agreed upon by the committee and
the railroad men. Mr.. White said:
This arrangement benefits only a
very small part of the stoekmen. The
benefits to be derived from the feed in
transit rate will largely inure to Texas
and Colorado StOckmen who ship in cat
tie for grazing and can take advantage
| of a feed in transit rate. The great body
of Kansas feeders and shippers will be
/ compelled to pay from 81 to 81 per car
more under the per hundred pounds
/ than under the old load The
/ fight is yet to be made in the courts to
establish justice between the stock
shippers and the railroads. The neceS-
| sary steps viii be taken at once to
/ bring the case through the courts. The
/ fight will be reorganized on these lines" Z"
The railroads gave the cattlemen a
/ paSturage rate, but declined to restore
! the old car load rate. The roads propose
to abolish the weighing system of which
the cattlemen complain and accept the
weights at the Kansas City stock yards
by which the cattle are sold The roads
also promise to take up the individual
cases complained of and make an effort
| to right wrongs which may exist.
| The paSturage rate is to be made eff
! fectiVe March 10. A meeting of the traf-
fic men will be held one week from
Tuesday, in the meantime an effort will
be made to give cattlemen the advant-
age of the pasturage rate.
The conference ended by a general
handshaking desipte the fact that Mr..
White and Mr. Potter charge that moth
ing has been gained for the fat stock
shipper. You still make us pay an in
creased rate said Mr.. Potter, but this
compromise will be accepted because
nothing better is to be given us.
The litigation which the cattIemen
have inaugurated will be pushed vigor-
ousIy, meanwhile they will take advan-
tage of the concessions which the roads
| have made
The coal shippers and lumbermen will