The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-03-08
RATES TOO HIGH
CattIemen Kick on Change In
Method of Charging
FOR CATTLE SHIPMENTS
B. H. Campbell Explains
CattIemens' Position.
FOR CATTLE SHIPMENTS


Prominent in the recent conference be
tween the cattlemen and the railroads
over the new classification, has been at
home for two or three days. The confer
once resulted in some compromises, but
not on the withdrawal of the suits, the
Kansas City Star having grossly misrep-
resented Colonel Campbell, he makes the
following statement in an interview for
the Eagle which will interest the cattle
men Of the southwest Colonel Campbell
said:
There appeared in the Kansas City
Star recently a statement of the conclu-
siops of a conference Of the stockmen If
Kansas and the traffic officials Of the
railroads operating in cur state. This
was published as the result Of an inter
view with me. but so entirely misrepre-
sents what occurred at that conference
or what / intended to have reported
occurred, that L beg for space 10 make a
correction. There appeared a statement
Of a like interview with two morning
papers, and as these interviews were all
taken within an hour Of each ether and
as the same two gentlemen were pre~ent
at each who were with me at the Star
interview, they should have been much
alike yet two of them, If they did not
give much information, certainly did rot
rnislead the public as 10 what lid occur.
The reader would understand hy the
STAR report that we were satisfied with
the results-that while we had gore to
Topeka full OF our woes we went sway
righted, but because we had been con-
WINGED by the traffic managers that We
had no wrongs to be redre ssed.
Now, the facts are these: The stock
men of Kansas have considered tie
freight rates on stock very nigh for some
years past, while the rail,0 Ids, com9ar-
ing our Kansas rates with the rates in
other states contiguous to the Kansas
City market, have declared them too low
and they have advanced their carrying
rates from time to time and, coupled
with an advance on carload rates, they
decided six months ago to change the
system of charging by the carload to that
of weighing our stock and charging by
the hundred pounds. To this we made
many objections. First, it was an limo
walton on a long established custom in
Kansas Again, we questioned the accu-
racy of weighing stock in the cars, while
moving, and we objected to the delay
caused b. trains waiting in Kansas City
TO he weighed. when we were anxious to
get our cattle unloaded. But the greatest
obstacle to the change would be the Diff
Guilty Of agreeing upon a basis which
would be equitable to shippers ~ all
classes of stock. whether it be the man
shipping 1000 pound steers or the nan
shipping 500 pound Arkansas year;ing5
We claim that so far as tried the
change from dollars per car rate to cents
per hundred pounds rate had increased
the charges over the old rates, uarticu-
larry on heavy cattle.
THE railroads discaimed any intention
OF collecting more freight by the weigh
ing system, and then we had to agree as
to what was a fair carload in weight,
which would be used as a divisor upon
the old car rate in dollars from any given
point to ascertain its equivalent in cents
per 100 pounds from that point We
finally agreed upon 1900 pounds as he
weight, and while this is too low to sa,-
isfy the shipper of heavy cattle, it is to
the advantage of shippers of light cattle
Another and serious cause of. com
plant was the abrogation OF what is
known as the feed in transit rae"
which has been in use in Kansas sane
years BY this arrangement the shipper
from the far west say New Mexico. could
pay his freight through to Kansas City.
bat when he reached the corn belt in
middle or eastern Kansas. he could IN
load and feed there six months or a
year. and when finished ship his cattle
into Kansas City without any additional
freight. except paying SO per car for
such privilege.
This charge was intended to cover the
cost of handling the cattle twice. and
finishing the haul after the long delay.
This extra charge was raised to SIS. and
finally TO $50 per car. and later it was
abolished altogether. The railroads COM
p.ained that, in these long delays the in
demnity of the original shipment was
sometimes lost sight of by diversion. and
the unused portion Of the contract was
sold. often below the local rate from the |
unloading point to Kansas City. thus ere
aung dissensions between the rival rail-
road lines under the charge Of cutting
rates
Now add the complaint. that OF slow
runs generally called bad service. and
YOU have the charges upon which we
asked for remedy, and not getting a sat
isfactory answer. We took our complaint
TO the court Of visitation. Pending these |
proceedings Governor Stanley was con-
suited by our association. and entirely /
upon his motion brought about the meet /
ing at Topeka. The governor beloved |
Was
difficulty than by litigation.
The results to use his own Ian
guase. OF lawsuits often being unsatis- |
factory 10 both parties and he might I
have added productive Of wounds. sow
TO heal With This friendly feeling to /
both parties, the governor communicated |
70 Mr.. Paul Morton. vice president OF The /
Santa Fe. and at the head Of tho lraf7c |
department % that system, and the meet |
ins was soon arranged The governor |
introduced the parties and stated the OBJ |
tecJ Of the meeting and his hope Of good |
result. urging both parties TO come 70 the |
work in a spirit OF fairness. I think his /
good advice started US with a kindly de- /
sire TO avoid friction, and this spirit pre- /
vailed throughout with little exception.
Ar. ! w. Robinson. president rof the /
State Cattlcmen's association. was chosen |
chairman OF the meeting on motion OF /
the ira ffic men. and We also asked him to 1
present the argument Of the cattlemen in /
SUPP IT Of our complaint. which he did in /
. f6rci5le manner
AR Merton was the principal sneaker (
WHAT 90 The CHILDREN DRINK /
Don't give them tea Or coffee. Have vo,,