The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-05
LOWER GRAIN RATES.
Farmers and Railroad Presidents Gel
Together.

Spokane, Wash, Aug. 5.-Grain rates
will be reduced from all points in eastern
Washington and the reduction will take
place in time to benefit the farmers on
this years crop. The amount of reduct-
ION is not determined, but conjecture ran
from one to two cents per bushel.
The Great Northern and Central WASH
ington branch of the Northern Pacific
will be connected by a cross road to run
from the terminus of the Central Wash
ington in the Grand Couies to Adrain on
the Great Northern. 1t will be IS miles
in length and will cost about $350,000 and
will be built as soon the surveys can
be completed, contracts let and the work
done under pressure. 1t may be complet-
ed before January l.
As a result of this arrangement the
Northern Pacific will cease hauling grain
eastward to Spokane and thence west
ward to the coast and will move it's share
of the tonnage of the terminus of the
Central Washington branch. There will
be taken by the Great Northern and
carried to Seattle instead of to Tacoma
as heretofore.
These announcements are made by Presi-
dent Mellen, of the Northern Pacific, at
Davenport today. The occasion was
unique in the history of American rail-
reading. Three railroad presidents, in re-
Spouse to a petition from the leading far
mers Of the Big Bend county. had assem-
bled at the county seat of Lincoln county
to hear their case, plead their own inter-
ests and renders argument. They were
James ]. Hill, president of the Great
Northern and Northern Securities COM
pany, combination with securities rated
on Wall street at more than a billion
dollars; President c. S. Mellen, of the
Northern Pacific and President A L.
Mohler, of the Oregon abroad & Navi-
cation lines, of the Hartman system.
With them were a group of lesser rail-
road notables. Public addresses were de-
1ivered by the three presidents. The ad-
journment was taken to the armory
where an old fashioned country dinner was
served to the railroad guests and visitors
from the surrounding country. The preSi-
dents entered heartily into spirit Of the
occasion. Mr.. Hill deposited his hat under
his chair, remarked that he had not en-
joyed himself thoroughly in many a
day and rubbed elbows with wheat
grower from the Egypt country and an
other from the Cedar Canyon camp.
After dinner hundreds of people gather
ed around the railway presidents shaking
hands and listening to spirited discus
sions. Mr.. Hill talked farming and stock
rising Mr.. Mellon elaborated his
previous announcement and Mr.. Mohler
spoke of the immigration plans of the
Hartmann roads.
All this was preliminary to the rea
conference of the day. Various coun.
ties and districts had sent delegates to
the convention and after dinner these
delegates reassembled in the convention
hall and through their spokesman lai6
their wishes before the railway presi-
dents. The spectacle was impressive
The large hall was packed to the door.
and scores of farmers, fruit growers an6
miners stood in the aisles. Many sat OF
the carpeted floor. Earnestness wa.
stamped upon their features and earnest
ness ran through all their speeches Mr.
Hill was the only president speaking a
this conference. He answered many ques
tions from time to time, offered numerou.
voluntary explanations of matters tina
seemed all wrong to the farmers and re
peatedly asked the farmers to speak GU
their beliefs and convictions. He wa
frequently applauded and the convention
was always alert to applaud any telling
point whether made by delegates or b.
the president
The entire proceedings were character
tied by good spirit and there was mucl
good nature in the badinage.
The special train bearing the railroa
men and newspaper correspondents re
turned to Spokane this evening. Late
the party left for Colfax in the Palous
county, where a similar conference vii
be held tomorrow. They have decided no
to hold third conference at WALL
Walla-