The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-06
Rock Island Plans to Carr,
Much Coal.
Statement by B. l.. WinchelI of
the Frisco.
AFTER LUMBER TRADE
Expects to Cut in on Santa Fe
Traffic.
System Is in Shape to Make Big
Earnings.

B. L. Winchen. vice president and
general manager of the St. Louis & San
Francisco road, has outlined plan for
making the Rock Island system great
coal carrying route. In speaking of the
matter, he said:
ON the Frisco system we have coal
at seven or eight points, far apart, but
each near an important market. Our
most important coal supply is obtained
on the lines of eastern Illinois and in
Greene and Sullivan counties, Illinois. it
is the coal from these two counties that
will be carried into the northwest. We
believe that with the advantage of sew
eral hundred miles in our favor we
should be able to make the tonnage
pretty heaVy-say, well, in excess of l.
100000 tons per annuTn. Previous to the
purchase of Frisco by the Rock Island
there was no trade in coal from this
territory into the northwest. The Hook
ing Valley grades hold the markets to-
day They reach the northwest by wa
ter and rail, from West Virginia and
Ohio. By the purchase of the Evans
Vile we reach q grade of coal that we
believe will finally supersede the Hook
ing Valley grades up there.
The northwest is great coal con-
Stunning country. The cold weather lasts
long. There are great manufa ctures.
They all use coal, and nearly all use soft
coal. The domestic supply of coal is
necessarily heavier than what is used
for the factories. etc, and it is to this
demand we shall cater above all others.
1t is not to be understood that there is
to be any invasion of the northwest. 1t
is simply and solely a carrying out of
the natural law that the nearest source
of supply will be called upon in the
long run to supply the demand. either in
coal or in any other staple. We expect
no sudden and sweeping change We
look fer q gradual development of traf-
fic toward the northwest in coal from
Greene and Sullivan counties. That is
all
I'VE carry Alabama coal to Memphis,
Arkansas coal to the agricultural re-
gions southwest and to Kansas City
and viii carry Illinois and Evansville
coal to St. Louis when the new cutoff
is completed. In every case it is the
nearest coal field supplying the wants
of the region supplied
THE St. Louis & San Francisco is
specializing on the lumber traffic. That
is partly because we consider it about
as good all-year-round tonnage as there
is, and partly because when the system
is completed we shall be carrying the
principal part of our grain freight into
and through lumber territory and we
knew of no better return tonnage than.
lumber. We reach the southern timber
belt in Arkansas, eastern Missouri, and
by means of the Rock Island lines and
local lines recently purchased by Frisco,
in Louisiana and Texas We are not yet
receiving by any means all the lumber
tonnage that we expect to get-Or rather
that we shall get-from the Kirby linn
it's. Atchison is at present in position
to bid for this traffic better than we
can. There are, however, great many
mills on Southern Pacific lines along the
gulf, and the lumber from these mills
viii come north over the Rock Island
and Frisco lines in great part