The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-31
5aasTus< - Eagle
M. Nj. MURDOCH, Editor.
OF SERIOUS IMPORT TO WICHITA.


Wichita has very important pending before
the Interstate Commerce Commission 1t is d Case "
volvng number of complaints of freight rate discrmin
aons by the railways against Wichita VI such hpoi
are these complaints of such reaching consequences
that the Commercial club of Kansas City retained emf
nent counsel to Wichitas appeal for justice NJ
man no set of men, any interest whatever more
keenly appreciates equitable freight rates "ouiu
mean for Wichita the shippers who constitute
the Commercial of Kansas City But for these dS
examinations against Wichitas schedules ana tonhae
upon the hand and the undue advantages cohceue
to Kansas City the claim of the navlgaollty Oh '
Missouri river upon the other hand, Wichita wouu oe
very much larger city today and be doing vastly greater
business An equitable Gulf would insure all the
export grain of South Kansas going through Wlchlea
elevators at saving TO producer instead OF first be-
ing bauled to Kansas City as This is but one item
Manufacturing interests have languished at this point
because of the denial equitable rate on steamng
coal Wichita is compelled higher freight rate
on lumber coming the SOUTH than is paid on the
same lumber by Kansas City, Omaha and by other
more distant points These but few of the com
plants involved alluded to- as pending ana
as being fought by Kansas City's commercial bodies
TO the facts and TO sl1C the eFlueHCe 0oN
shutting Wichitas required much painstakng
and much time and good deal of money. The ev-
dence was all taken this city, at special sitting OF
the commission but the a whole had TO De
brefed and argued by Wichita lawyers in Washington
And after ALL sometimes think that Kansas Cltys
bluff proved good and this city have dropped
its case despair of reaching anything but Tor TWO
men other than the attorneys. J. E. Howard OF the
Union Mills was and is not only interested in the COM
pants as dealer in grain manufacturer and ship
per of export -four but deeply interested property
holder and citizen of Wichita Many and long have been
his consultations with the writer of this over the stua
tion He made trip after trip one to ST Louis, two to
Washington endeavos to keep the suit alive and
the commissioners interested.
The compiling arranging and entering the suit which
means so much Wichita required not only time, pa
tience and money but backbone. The average heavy
shipper like to antagonze the railroads that
haul his freight Many and many an interest has
been ruined by disgrunted revengeful railway man
agements Wichita's evidence secured the COM
plants had to be sworn and filed, at which point it
looked as if the entire proceedings would fail and fall
At this juncture B. F. Mclean forward, not only
the leading plaintiff and this too, Notwithstanding
that he is heavy shipper whom the railroads could
make sweat But what is more, came forward not only
grit of justice but forward with
his money to continue the fight The proprietor of the
Union Mills says the promptness energy and iber
atty of Mclean put life and encouragement into
the contest and final hearing last had by the
commission in Washington Kansas Citys Intervention
the contrary Notwithstanding, and to mayor he
Equitable freight for Wichita, especially to her
carload shippers distributors only
this city its packers elevators implement houses,
wholesale houses mers and manufacturers generally,
but to every property holder The growth of the city
commercially the enhancement of the values of
all properties of homes of real estate and of what not
So every is interested in what Mayor Mclean has
done has effectively accomplished in this direction and
in far he has surely their commentator, and
therefore deserves their support.
But these not should not, be ended, whatever
the decision the pending There are many other
freight concessions the tonnage of this city
determinations which should adjusted
tc equitable basis. 1t would prove calamity fall
down We the fight forced and along the Nc
Lean Howard lines The present suits not only be
prosecuted vigorously looked after and
the grit and gift continuance who never been
found hanging back when spending his money
in the interest of his fellowcitizens.
MERGER OF UNNUMeERED MILLIONS.