The Topeka state journal., 1901-08-03

as much wheat raised in the eastern
part of the state as in the west, and in
order for US to get enough to keep our
mills going, we might have to bid
above the market for it, and even then
be getting an inferior wheat. The
dark berried and largely sought after
turkey wheat, which has made Kansas
flour famous. grows principally in the
western part of Kansas, and from there
we always try to draw most Of our sup
plies. This wheat. we believe makes
the very best flour for family purposes
of any grown in the United States, ana
it is the same wheat the Minneapolis
mills insisted upon having this year.
when their crop was short and they
were compelled to buy Kansas wheat.
and for which they were at all times
willing to pay premium Of from to
3 cents per bushel-
STRUGGLE FOR MISSOURI RIVER
RATES.
For a number of years, the citizens OF
Topeka have thought they should have
Missouri river rates on merchandise
shipped in from the east. Our Com
mercial club has been fighting for this
for a long time, but without success.
The railroads have always characteriz-
ed 1t as absurd for our city to expect
anything of the kind They however.
on the other hand, think it all right
when grain and merchandise is shipped
to Topeka from the west, to charge
about the full Missouri river rates II
1t is absurd to expect Missouri river
rates in the one case, is it not just az
much so, to be compelled to pay them
In the Other2 It surely is a Door rule
that viii not work both ways We be-
lieve in practice and principle. IL is az
untenabie to allow a railroad to col
lect the Kansas City freight rates on
wheat, corn, etc. shipped to Topeka
as 1t would be to allow them to collect
from a citizen Of Kansas buying "a rail-
road ticket at some western town 10
Topeka, as much money for IL as they
would charge him for one to Kansas
City. What would the people OF KAN
sas say. were they to attempt anything
of the kind2
In conclusion we wish TO make the
assertion that the rates in our state on
everything are already excessively high
and IT Is only a question of time when
they VIII all have to be lowered. Every
one who is familiar with the situation
knows this to be a fact This being the
case, we think the present a very in
opportune time for any railroad to
make even the slightest advance in
their rates on ANYTHING anywhere fu
Kansas. The large shipping Interests
all over Kansas are of the opinion that
the time for a substantial reduction IS
close at hand.
We firmly believe your board (which
has been created for the purpose OF
dong justice between shippers and rail-
roads). after you have gone into our
case carefully and conscientiously.
which we are certain you win do. viii
see to it that right is done. and that
you will not allow the Santa Fe rail-
road to permanently force their un-
just distance tariff upon the Topeka
millers, and that you viii also at once
order them to put back as soon as pos
sible the old wheat rates into Topeka.
under which we have established our
selves in this city for the past quarter
to a third of a century.
We viii be pleased to be given an
opportunity to verify any statements
herein made.
Respectfully submitted.
WILLIS NORTON & CO,
THOS PAGE.
SHAWNEE MILLING CO.,
TnPEIkA MILLING CO.