The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-09
Denver Wants a Reduction In
Freight Tariffs.
Santa Fe and Southern Pacific
Are Under Fire.
TO MAKE ARGUMENTS.
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion VIII Meet in Denver.
Railways Insist That Their
Denver Rates Are Fair.
SUNDAY.

The Santa Fe is involved in a freight
rate controversy with the people OF
Denver, and on next Monday. the
United States Interstate Commerce
Commerce commission will sit in Den
yer and for the third time hear the
arguments pro and con.
Associated with the Santa Fe in the
defense of the present rates is the South
ern Pacific. The plaintiffs are Edward
Kindel, the Denver Chamber of Com
merce, ct al 1t is claimed that the
Santa F'e and Southern Pacific make
lower rates to points east of Denver
than they are to Denver. The railways
admit that they do this, but insist that
these low rates are compelled by COM
petition, and that the Denver rates are
fair and equitable.
P. ]. Farrell, the attorney for the In
terstate Commerce commission is in
Denver making some preliminary in
vestigations for the session of the COM
mission. He says, in speaking of the
case:
The commission has decided broadly
that the rates from Pacific coast ter
minals to Denver should not exceed
those charged to Missouri river points,
but 1T has admitted that there may be
circumstances and conditions surround
ing the business of freight transporta-
ton which might justify higher rate
on certain commodities shipped to Den
YER
The railroads complained Of the
Southern Pacific and the Atchison, To-
peka q Santa F'e system, in their an
swer have set up that such conditions
and circumstances do exist, and that
owing to the necessity to meet rates of
competing lines, they are compelled to
cut their rates to Missouri river points.
They hold that their rate to Denver is
reasonable, and Monday they will
have a chance to show this to the COM
mission At that time as / have said
the Denver people will have opportunity
to show that the rate to Denver is not
reasonable
The Southern Pacific road has sub
United to the commission a list of forty
or more commodities on which the rate
to Denver is largely in excess of that
made to Missouri river points 1t con-
tends that this higher rate should be
maintained and, through it's attorneys,
Will endeavor to show the commission
why If the commission is not con-
WINGED that such rate is equitable and
just, it will order a reduction of the
rate
In the list of commodities and
schedule of charges, the charge on bak-
ing powder to Denver in less than car
load lots is $3.50 per hundred. while to
missouri river points the rate is 81. 35.
Blankets in bales are shipped to Dem
yer at a rate of So per hundred pounds;
they go to Missouri river points for
81 so.
Chocolate and cocoa to Denver. 81 20:
to Missouri river points, 81.
Hides, sheep pelts, etc, to Denver.
$3.50, as against $1.20 to points farther
east.
Mohair, compressed in bales to Dem
Yer, 50. against $3.50.
Quicksilver, in TASKS, to Denver, IS,
against 20 cents
Fur sealskins, to Denver, $3.50,
against $3.50
I will put in the time this week in
consultation with Attorney W. B. Har-
rison of Denver, who represents Den
yer citizens said Mr.. Farrell. land shall
assist him in any way in my power in
making clear presentation of the case
TO the commission. In my capacity as
counsel for the commission my only de-
sire is that all matters pertaining to the
case be clearly and fairly set out When
that is accomplished my function is
purely an advisory one