The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-25
CITY TO COMPLAIN
OF FREIGHT RATES
Council Instructed Mayor to
File Bill Immediately.
BEFORE KANS. COMMISSION
Advance of Coal Rates to Take
Effect Soon Are Considered.

The city council held special meeting
last night and the mayor was instructed
TO bring a complaint before the Kansas
board Of railroad commissioners complain
ing against the advance in the freight
rates on coal. which goes into effect the
10th of next month AS told in the Eagle
last week. the railroads have announced
that an advance of 10 cents per ton on
lump coal and the same amount on slack
or steam coal. with the additional raise
of . cents per ton dinerential which has
heretofore existed
The effect of this advance on steam
coal. which would be 80 cents per ton,
and making the rate from the Kansa~
mines 10 Wichita sl.75 per ton, would
tend TO crush out every large consume
Of steam coal in this city. The presen+
rate of SI35 is considered too high and
unreasonable by every large consumer of
slack in Wichita, and the additional ad-
vance Of 10 cents per ton would take every
cent of profit from several manufacturers
who figure on a very close margin when
the fuel rates are as high as at present
Resing Of The Commercial club. appeared
before the council on behalf Of the two
commercial bodies of the city and the
consumers of large quantities of coal, and
asked the city to bring some action which
would afford relief. Mr.. Helm was in
structcd to prepare the complaint and
file il at the earliest possible date and get
a hearing as soon as the board could ar
range for one.
The new Kansas law regulating the rail-
roads within this state is said to be
great deal more powerful than was here
tofore believed. This is the first action TO
be taken under it. According to the new
law. those damaged by high rates can
complain. or a municipal government can
do so. As this matter of coal rates affects
every manufacturer in Wichita, and
means much to the city, it was thought
best to have the mayor and city council
bring the complaint. AS soon as possible
after the complaint is filed the board of
railroad commissioners are compelled to
make thorough investigation OF the al
legations in the bill and they are to de-
eide on what is a reasonable rate from
points to another within the state of
the railroads given proper notice to put
ii into effect, if the roads do not put in
the rate the commissioners or the COM
plainants are allowed to bring their case
before the supreme court, where the evil
dence secured At the commissioner hear
Ing is considered prima-facie evidence
The complainants ask for a writ of man
damus to compel the railroads to put in
the rate which the commissioners have
declared to be reasonable. Mandamus
proceedings are advanced on the supreme
court docket above all others except Grim
inal cases.
The case of the city of Wichita against
the railroads viii be brought this week
and it is hoped to secure a hearing near
the first of the month. The commissioners
would then have three weeks TO so over
the arguments and evidence and make
their decision before the rate goes into
effect. If the railroads do not then put
in the lower rate, if such is ordered by
the commissioners, the case viii be taken
10 the supreme court on a writ Of man
Janus.