The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-08-09
RAILROAD PROBLEM
Wichita'S Growth Too Fast for
the Roads.
SWITCHES INADEQUATE
More Facilities Alone viii
Break Blockade.

The new switch engine assigned for
use at the packing house district does
not seem 10 have entirely relieved the
blockade Of cars. The packing house
switches still have TO be used for stor-
ing the overflow Of grain from the Wat
son mills and the Nevling elevator.
Mr Nevling said last evening that IN
his judgment, the business in that sec
ton of the city would soon demand two
switch engines. He said the trouble with
his elevator and the Watson mills was
that the stock yards and the packing
houses kept the engine about al the time
Mr. lNeviing said that wheat was not
moving nearly as fast now as it VIII IN
few weeks because the late rains had
stopped the threshing. He said when
wheaC got TO moving lively the railroads
would need more switches than they now
have in the north part Of the city. There
is every indication of d big increase IN
business and the grain men think the rail-
roads would better recognize that fact
and get ready for it by providing more
joint switches.
Superintendent Charles Darrigrand was
on the dock at the Dold packing house
watching the loading OF a car Of hams
for California and one car load for Bos-
ton and the fact Of the two switches
north of the big Dold plant being used
for storing cars for the Watson mill
caused Mr.. Darrlgrsnd 10 make a few
remarks about the car blockade
Just to put this thing in a nutshell"
said Mr. Dsrrigrand the business Of
this city has outgrown the railroads.
Their terminal facilities are probs bly,
what they supposed Wichita would need
at this time but this city has grown
faster than the railroads figured on. The
only remedy is more switch room.
IF I were going TO say anything TO
the people OF this city at this time, 1
would tell them not TO be TOO hard on
the railroads. This city has gone beyond
the expectations Of most OF the people
living here and We cannot blame the
railroads altogether II they are not at
all times prepared for the increase Of
business. This blockade of the railroads
is simply the evidence of the great pros
perity OF southern Kansas and Oklahoma.
We have to climb over cars here to do
our business, but we are not jumping
onto the railroads.
If want TO ride around the city for
pleasure and find a cross street block
AIDED by cars. I just say. look there at
the prosperity and I wait or drive
around TO another street 70 get across
1 would rather be put to this inconve-
nience than to see the switch yards in
this city empty and the switch engines
dead on the switches. Sometimes we
stay up here and sweat blood while the
railroads are trying to get in coal to
run our engines and lumber 70 make
boxes We are all being smothered by
the oyerpiUs of business in the city
caused by this great prosperity. l do
not like to be crowded of the sidewalks
when I go down TO the business center
of the city. but would rather be thrown
into the gutter and look at the crowd
pass than to see the streets deserted be-
cause OF hard times. We must all make
up our minds to stand the inconvenience
which comes with the rapid growth Of
business"