The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-06


good health" Mas. ]. 81. JONES, Parker
City, Ind.
Hoods sarsaparIiIa promises to
cure and keeps TIM promise.
familiar with railroad rates and the man
ner in which these rates are made up
Mr.. Middleton explained the difference
in rates between Kansas City and
Wichita IN the following way:
Competition lowers railroad rates; the
sharper the competition FOR the traffic
the lower the rate. There are I'VE large
roads competing for the coal business in
Kansas City. which can haul coal cheaper
than small ones : large tra@ic can be
handled cheaper than a small one, and
the proximity OF mines to city is an i'm
po-tant factor in determining the rate
No comparison can be made in the rates
from Pittsburg to Leayenworth and Pitts
burg to Wichita. as there are mines sig
uated close 20 LeavenwOrth that supply
the city with coal; cannot make a rate
TO Leavenworth that would result in haul
ing coal there except under abnormal con
ditions; that many rates are published
company is required to publish rates ana
provide for contingencies.
When asked if he considered the rate
10 Wichita reasonable, he replied that il
is He added that the cost of operat-
ing is much higher than it was two
years ago. In explaining the difference
of rate into Kansas City and wichita.
Mr.. Middleton said the rate was lower
on account of close proximity of mines 10
the city. it being only IS miles distance:
also that the strict competition in Kansas
City reduces the rate
Was Cross-Examined.
On cross-examination by A. e Helm.
Mr.. Middleton admitted that he knew
nothing about construction and nothing
about the cost OF help in operating roads.
He admitted that the competition in
Kansas City is sharp and the roads are
forced to make the rate 50 cents there.
He admitted that the company charged
what 1t could get in Kansas City; was
ASKED If the company ever tried to charge
more, replied that they did NOT. Mr..
Helm asked him if the company charged
sl-6o in Wichita simply because they could
get it. He replied that the competition.
not being so strict and no mines near.
Is the cause for the high rate here: that
his company is making money at an So
cent rate TO Kansas City; also that il
makes money at 20 cents, which is less
than one-half the rate to Wichita He
admitted that his company hauled coal
into Wichita and then delivered il to
connecting carriers here for SIS cents. and
said his company was not losing money
on this proposition. One-half the coal
hauled into Wichita by the Frisco system
is done at a rate of IS cents; said that
Wichita is the farthest point west where
lie S1.6o rate is charged.
A. n. Webb Sworn.
a. II. ,,ebb. superintendent OF the Mis-
souri, Pacific in southern Kansas. gave
in evidence the following facts: That
there are many grades and curves which
effect the cost Of transportation; that
there is steep grade from Reece TO
Summit with curves from three to eight
degrees. These conditions make reduc-
ton Of tonnage and trains have to double
on the hills and pull about 455 to 595 tons
to the train load: while from Pittsburg
TO Kansas City they haul three times as
much coal TO the train load Some fig
ureS were here introduced which showed
the cost per mile OF hauling coal
on cross examination by Judge Nh
baugh, he admitted that the Wichita
branch is not the crookedest line Of the
Missouri Pacific system; admitted that
the line from Kansas City to ST Louis
is worse; also that the grades in Mis-
souri, are as bad as those in Kansas He
ha4 fc oil f~fa Of
gines on the Wichita branch. and con-
sequentIy each could not haul as heavy
loads as are carried on the main lines.
Adjourns for Dinner.
The hearing was then adjourned TO 30
O'Clock Aftcrward Mr. Webb was re-
called. but his testimony vas closed
shortly and : II. Kngore. commercial
agent for the Missouri Pacific. was sworn
His testimony was given principally in
figures and he was vigorously cross ex-
amined by Mr.. Helm.
Left the Room.
{. W. Cook. assistant general freight
agent for the Santa Fe. was the next
witness He endeavored to show, by
quoting principally rates in Colorado.
that those TO Wichita are not high. He
asked if he doesn't make the rates for
the Santa Re. Mr. Cook says he does.
1t was during this part OF the cross ex-
animation that Mr.. Cook remarked. The
people De d" as Mr.. Ashbaush said
in his closing argument When his ex-
animation was finished. MI Cook left
the council chamber and did not return
during the remainder Of the hearing.
J. A quinn. who has been superinteu6-
ent Of the Frisco az Neodesha Tor three
years. was sworn. on cross examination
he testified that the actual cost Of haul
ing coal per ton per nile IS : mills. That
is not including wear and tear or the
cars. engines or rails. lie also said
that % per cent % the cars which are
shipped loaded 70 Wichita return 70 the.r
starting point empty
Middleton Was Recalled.
!. A. Middleton assistant general
freight agent for the Frisco, was recalled.
he is the man who makes rates for the
Frisco. His testimony was net lengthy.
and consisted OF Mr.. Helm asking hin:
II the average cost Fer ton per nile.
mills. is an average Of 81! classes what
proportion Of that would % charged 10
coal rates? There is 10 question. SAID
SIR. Helm. but what IL would be the
lowest" The witness failed to auswer
that question.
= I Davidson vas recalled and testi-
fed that al the previous DAYS session
q the hearing ne made mistake in
stating the amount Of the bonds tina; were
voted 10 help build the Santa Fe ran