The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-11-04
BIG ATTENDANCE
IS LOOKED FOR
Chamber of Commerce Urges
All to Be Present.
AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
Railroad Commissioners to
Hear Cases IoGay'
AT THE COUNCIL CHAMBER

merce held in the city hall last evening
the Importance of having a large dele
CATION of the citizens of Wichita pres
ent before the railroad commissioners
who will meet in this city this morning
was fully discussed, and from the
speeches made by everyone. it is quite
evident that all consider the matter of
having a large audience present tomor-
row matter of vital Importance 10 the
business interests of Wichita. Judge
Ashbaugh said: THE citizens of Wich
ita are expected to come out TO this
meeting and show the commissioners
that they are interested; that they are
aroused over the matter; that they are
out to win in this fight; that the law
yers who are presenting the city's case
to the commissioners are doing a work
in which all are interested; and that
they are backed by the representative
ciizens of Wichita. This Will not only
make an impression upon the commits
sioners and railroad men who will be
present, but it will encourage the law
yers. and thus they will be able to pre-
sent their case with great deal more
spirit, if not more ably"
He continued: The strongest factor
at the meeting of the railroad commits
sioners held recently in Topeka was the
presence of 200 or 800 determined cattle
men from all over the west. fighting
for their just rights, and there is no
doubt but what this fact made a decided
impression on the minds of the commits
sioners and helped win victory
The Importance of the coming session
of the commission is a matter that can
hardly be appreciated by citizens who
have not made a study Of the situation.
MIR. Ashbaugh also made a few more re-
marks, in the course of which he quoted
a few cures mat will, in a general
way, throw some light on the situation.
He said: "Over 100000 tons of coal are
consumed in one year in Wichita, and
that. while other states are paying a
freightage of 81 cents a ton, the state of
Kansas pays S1.60 per ton. The large
institutions of Kansas are burning
slack for which they pay a freightage
of $135 per ton, while other states are
only paying Y cents" Judge Ashbaugh
thinks the people of Wichita who had
possession Of these facts should be
day He said: 1.-The railroads and the
people have it in their power 10 lower
the freights, the railroads have refused
to act and now the people-the great
mass, the real sovereign power of this
country-must act, and if the proper
pressure is brought to bear upon this
commission the result of their efforts
will probably result in victory"
H.
in which he urged the representative cit
liens of Wichita to be present tomorrow,
and especially asked that the business
men come out to the meeting, for.
said he there is no item of business
in the city so important to the business
men as that which will come up before
the railroad commissioners here, and to
stay away from this meeting VII simply
be a neglect of ones own business, as
favorable decision will mean a saving
Of many dollars to every resident of
Wichita who burns COAL
Arrangements have been made 10 have
a number of chairs placed ir the coun-
| ell chambers for the accommodation Of
those who attend. and the members Of
the Chamber of Commerce not only want
but expect to see 400 or 500 people pres
ent Arrangements have been made 10
seat that many persons.
1t is an old adage that the man is
not deserving of help who does not help
himself" This is equally true of cities,
and Wichita If she wants help must
through her representative citizens, comt
forward and give some assistance TO the
work that is being done by the Chamber
of Commerce, say the members.
me committee that was appointed to
see that Wichita, Sedgwicl1 county and
the Arkansas valley are properly adver-
tised at the world s fair. was to have
reported, no report was given on ac-
count of the absence of the chairman
The worlds fair commission meets at
Topeka or November 5. at which time
a person viii be appointed to edit and
publish a book giving a general history
of the state of Kansas. to be used at the
worlds fair. The chair was empowered
to select a representative 10 this meet
ing and also to choose a committee who
would gather and furnish material for
this history.
A letter was read from the National
Board Of Trade of Washington. D. c.,
inviting the local organization 10 have
a paper prepared and se1t the secretary
( of the National Board of Trade at least
forty days prior to the called date Of
the national meeting. which viii be hell
in Washington. commencing the 18Th
of January. 1884 This invitation was
accepted and paper viii be prepared
and forwarded.
Secretary Smith read paper on mem
bership. in which a number Of important
facts were discussed.
A resolution was offered recommend
ing that the membership feet be here
after graded as follows: First class. SIS
per annurn. second class. so per annum;
third class s. per annum; but that the
class be not taken into consideration IN
the election q officers II was also -ec-
f commended that the time limit for join
ing be extended TO five years and the
fee must be paid in advance. provided
that for good reasons shown at any an
rual meeting this obligation may be
Cancelled by majority vote Of those
present This matter was referred 10
the board Of directors.
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