The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-12-07
BIG CHANGE IN
FREIGHT RATES
Many Points West of Wichita
Gel Big Blanket Reduction.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN7
Is an Era of General Correc-
ton for This Section Dawning

A change in freight rates took place
December f. which came 10 light yester-
oay and among those interested in such
matters was the sole topic OF converse
ton and discussion. Among the several
interpretations put upon the important
change this. in Wichita. is the one ac-
cepted; that there is dawning an era OF
general freight rate reduction for all this
part Of Kansas and that al points viii
share proportonaIy in this immense adj
vantage. The cnange. in effect Decemher
4. is this. briefly: All points west Of
Wichita as FAR as Harper are given on
Glasses and commodities as low rate as
Wichita now mas. The rares to all these
points have been too high. They are
still too high. The new move means
evidently that the day of correction IS at
hand and that the initial move of the
railroads was TO extend the lower rates
20 all points for q certain distance west,
and that this initial move wiz be
followed by lower rates to Wichita, as
well as an equitable adjustment for kan
sas towns west of Harper which have,
as yet, been extended no beenhts.
The railroads operating in southern
Kansas have apparently arrived at the
conclusion that their freight rates into
this territory have been too high be-
cause they have voluntarily made some
very material reductions in the same.
That they were exhorbitant was as
covered by those who pay the freight d
long time ago, but the roads were some
what slow in making the discovery and
even then their uureasonabieness had 10
be pointed out to them by those bear
ing the burden Of the high tariff. It is
gratifying, however, TO note that at last
q move has been made that VIII result in
much relief when fully carried out as it
no doubt viii be before a final settlement
Of the freight rate situation in southern
Kansas is reached.
Taking effect on the 4th inst. reduc-
tion in class and commodity rates has
been made from Missouri river points to
Harper. Kan. as follows: First, Zoe; md,
&c; Srd &c; 9Th. Sc; 9th. &c; A.. SIC; B.,
&c; c.. 1c: D., &c; L, &c. Sugar c. T., lie;
ana T.. c. L, pc; canned goods c. L.,
12c; I. c. l., 12c; beans, c. L.. ice; lum-
Der. &c; salt, c. T., 2-3c: lime cement,
etc, C; hard coal 31ac; emigrant OUTFIT,
c. T.. 2izc. All intermediate territory
west and south OF Wichita has shared
in this fortunate reduction TO a greater
or less degree. Inc towns Of Clearwater,
Conway Springs. Argonia, Anthony. King
man. wellington Belle Plaine. Winfield.
Arkansas City Cedarvale. and an inter
mediate towns share this reduction. The
towns en- the Santa Fe system alone that
arc affected 10y the change number more
than a hundred And on the Missouri
PaCihc about fifty watch SHOWS that the
effects of the reduction win be far reach
ms in point of benefit to the country.
II Is gratifying TO know that those con
cessions have been made voluntarily on
The part of carriers and FOR no other APP
parent reason that the rates to the terri
tory mentioned were found 60 be too hish
and furnished mere than its proper share
OF revenue 10 cauieTs. and also FOR the
reason that they were unreasonably high
es compared with other and similarly
situated localities Nor are these reduc-
tons confined to the Missouri river cities.
The rates from an Mississippi river cross
ings, Peoria ana common points. St Paul
and Minneapolis have received like at
tenuon.
That this reduction IS only a forcrun-
ner of what is to come. It may be cited
that some very gross injustice would
result TO some communities were the adj
Justment TO stop where r. IS IL present
Fer example. hrst-class rate Kansas
City to Anthony. under the now tariff is