The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-16
NOTE OF WARNING
Railroad Commissioner Issue
Their First Proclamations.
Warn Managers Not to Discrim-
mate In Grain Shipments.
HAVE THE CARS READY
Attention Called to Promise of
Enormous Wheat Crop.
Kansas Railroads Must Be Pre-
pared to Move 1t.

Two bulletins have just been issued by
the state railroad commission to the gem
eral managers of the railroad lines doing
business in Kansas. The bulletins show
a Iaudable purpose to get away from
the dO-nothing system and ought to
start something
The first bulletin asks that an open
record be kept of all applications of ship
when the cars asked for are supplied.
This is move to prevent "freeze-outs. "
The other bulletin is a friendly warning
to the railroads to buy lot of cars and
prepare to move q big crop.
The bulletins are gems of endeavor to
fulfill duty. The first bulletin reads as
1T is a matter of common report that
the various railroad companies doing
against those shippers who do not own
or control elevators along their lines Of
grain are supplied to the men who oper-
ate elevate in preference to other ship
pers, and many complaints of this ma
ture have been made to this board in
an informal way.
Among other duties of this board, we
are charged with the enforcing of the
law enacred at the last session of the
quires the companies to furnish cars to
any and all persons, without discrimina-
tion, who may apply therefor in good
Whatever may have been your previ-
GUS rules or customs in this matter, we
trust that in the future you will give
your patrons no just ground for com
provision of the law. For your prOtec-
t1On against unjust criticism and for the
Information of this board, We desire that
your station agents keep a record, in q
book to be used especially for that pur-
pose, in which a list shall be kept of all
applications for cars, giving name of ap-
p1cant and date OF application, kind OF
car wanted and for what purpose. also
the date when car is furnished by your
company and the applicant notified, not
ing the kind of car, the capa city, of size.
giving the number and initials; this book
70 pc open TO the Inspection OF all ship
pers, their agents OF attorneys, as Well
This is the text of the other:
From observation, as well as the many
hattering reports that reach US from all
portions OF the wheat growing sections OF
our state we believe that We are justi-
fed in anticipating one of the largest
wheat crops in the history Of the state;
'"Fhe reports received by our careful
and efficient secretary of the state board
of agriculture confirm and emphasize this
'sThese facts together with the many
evidences of prosperity among the farm
ers and stockmen, as well as the increas-
ed activity in our large and constantly
growing mining and manufa cturing in
dustries, all point to a largely increased
demand upon the transportation compa-
nies doing business in this state.
I'm view of this, and the further fact
that for a considerable portion of the past
year the facilities of many of the roads
doing business in the state were made
quate for the prompt handling of the busi-
ness along their lines, therefore this COM
mission, being charged with the duty Of
enforcing the laws governing transporta-
tion companies desire at this time to
call your attention to this matter and to
submit a few suggestions concerning the
same.
IF you have not already anticipated
the demand which in all probability will
be made on your company when the COM
ing crop is harvested, we desire to urge
that you take immediate steps to do So
and that you use every effort in your
power to furnish that prompt and eff
cient service to which your patrons are
For the information of this board you
are requested to report what if any, ad-
ditionS or improvements have been made
within the past six months in your facili-
for shipments of grain, within the state
How will your facilities for handling
this years crop compare with those Of
last year, and to what extent has your
rolling stock been increased; in other
words, how will your equipment and abil-
ity to handle the same on the 1st day Of
July, this year, compare with that of
July l. 1900?
This board trusts that you have fully
recognized your responsibility as com
mon carriers and will be prepared to
meet all reasonable requirements to those
who furnish the business for your roads
and hopes it may not be called upon to
exercise the authority conferred upon it
to enforce the law. which requires that
you furnish ample shipping facilities for
your patrons.
This commission desires the hearty CO.
operation of your company in all efforts
people, and believes the more efficient
the service to your patrons, the more
satisfactory will be the returns to your
company.