The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-05-17
ROADS ARE WARNED
That They Must Furnish
Plenty of Cars.
FOR WHEAT SHIPPERS
No Discrimination in Favor
of Grain trust

Topeka, Kan. May 1.-two import
: ant orders have been made by the state
: board of railroad commissioners. Both
were general IN their character and
aimed at the various railroads. One
directed the roads to cease discrimination
} in the matter Of furnishing cars to grain
dealers; 10 treat the independent dealers
the same as they do the trust elevator
men. The other instructed the roads to
begin getting their equipment in shape to
move the big Kansas wheat crop.
The orders were In the nature Of letters
to the general managers of the various
Kansas roads. The one relating to dis
examinations against independent grain
dealers follows:
Gentlemen:-It is a matter Of common
report that the various railroad COM
panies doing business in this state are
discriminating against those shippers
who do not own or control elevators, in
preference TO otner shippers, and
many complaints Of this nature have
been made to this board in an informal
way.
Among other duties Of this board. we
"A e charged with the enforcing of the
La enacted at the last session of the
Leg. stature, one provision of which re-
ou=r es the companies to furnish suitable
cars TO any and all persons. without
olsen nination, who may apply therefor
in goo ! Iaith.
yVhaa sver may have been your pre-
zious n les or customs in this matter,
we truss that in the future you viii
give voln patrons no Just grounds for
complaint on account of any violation
Of this pro vision of the aw. For your
protection a gainst unjust criticism and
for the satiA faction Of your patrons and
for the inform alton of this board, we de-
sire that your station agents keep a
record in a DO ok TO be used especially
for that purpoA e, in which a list shall
be kept for ar applications for cars.
giving name Of applicant and date of
/ application, kind Of car wanted and for
/ what purpose, also the date when car is
! furnished by your company and the ap-
plicant notified, noting the kind Of car,
/ the capacity or size, giving the number
and initials. this book TO be open to the
J inspection of all shippers. their agents
or attorneys, as well as dlis board.
The order requiring the roads to get
I their equipment in shape TO handle the
new wheat crop reads:
CONDEMNATION obs Arvation, as well
as the many hattering reports that reach
rs from all portions Of the wheat growing
sections Of our state. we believe that we
are justified in anticipating one Of the
largest wheat crops in the history OF
the state.
The reports received by our careful
and. efficient secretary Of the state board
OF agriculture confirm and emphasize this
view.
These facts, together with the many
evidences of prosperity among cur farm
ers and stockmen, as well as the in
creased activity in our large and con-
stantly growing mining and manufactur-
ing industries, al point to a largely in
creased demand upon the transportation
companies doing business in this state.
In view Of this. and the further fact
that for considerable portion of the
past year the facilities of many of the
roads doing business in this state were
Inadequate for the prompt handling Of
the business along their lines, therefore.
| this commission, being charged with the
duty of enforcing the laws governing
transportation companies, desire at this
time TO call your attention to this mat
ter and to submit a few suggestions con-
corning lie same.
II you have not already anticipated
the demand which in az probability viii
be made on your company when the COM
ing crop is harvested We Desire to urge
that YOU take immediate steps TO do 50.
and that you use every effort in your
power to furnish that prompt and EN-
{ Gent service to which your patrons are
entitled.
For the information Of this board. you
are requested TO report what, II any,
additions or improvements have been
made within the past six months in your
facilities for handling freight and especi-
ally for shipment of grain withiE this
state.
How viii your facilities for handling
this year crop compare with those of
FOR last year. and TO what extent has
your rolling stock been increased: in
other words, how viii your equipment
and ability 10 handle the same on the
p first day OF July, this year, compare
with that of July 1. 1900
This board trusts tnat You have fully
recognized your responsibility as common
carriers and viii be prepared TO meet
all reasonable requirements o. those who
furnish the business for your roads and
homes it may not be called upon TO ex-
q ercise the authority conferred upon il
TO enforce the law. which requires that
- you furnish ample shipping facilities for
{ your patrons
The commission desires the hearty CO.
r operation OF your company in all efforts
b Tor the promotion OF the interests Of the
p people. and believes the more efficient
r the service 10 pour patrons. the more
p satisfactory viii be the returns 10 your
5. { company.
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