The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-06-17

able by comparison with Kansas City.
We are not responsible for the fact
for so cents. Market competition
does that. Missouri cuts a big factor
there. The mines of that state also
furnish coal to Kansas City, st. JOS
eph, and those points. Here in Kan
saS the coal mines, down in the south
eastern part, are owned by Topeka
people. Much of the money they
make is spent here. If we should re-
tire from hauling coal from Chicopee,
Frontenac, Weir City and Pittsburg to
Kansas City and st. Joseph, would the
city of Topeka be benefited? Would
not Topeka suffer from the loss of that
trade? The Missouri mines would get
the business. / am not sure out Ihat
the operators of the Kansas mines liv-
ing in Topeka would have to get more
money for the coal to make up the
difference I explain this to you so
that YOU know why the rate is lower
to Kansas city than to Topeka. Some
of your manufacturers have shown
where they are damaged. We snail
take this matter up with the other
roads running through here. Results
are obtained by a series of compromises
and concessions in these matters. This
conference will be held and we think
that we can do something for you"
From Mr.. MOrtOn'S argument 1t
must be concluded that market COM
petition" as he terms it, is respon-
sible for the low rates in other cities,
but some of the local consumers and
dealers of coal cannot see how that
has anything to do with Topeka. The
Missouri mines, according to Mr..
Morton make it necessary for the
roads to haul coal cheaply into Kan
sas City. st. Joe and Leavenworth,
else the Kansas mines could not COM
pete with them. That is a matter
said one of the Topeka dealers re-
Gently, which lies between the mines
and is not an argument for a discrep-
nc
City, Leavenworth, Atchison, and St
Joseph.
yet the Topeka merchants say that
the reduction of Is cents on slack
coal is a very good thing. Topeka
consumes on an average of 500 tons
of slack coal every day of the year
This will save at least $40 every day,
or in the neighborhood of $4,000 a
year to the manufacturing interests
of the city. The Edison electric light
plant will be the largest gamer. That
concern uses 40 tons of slack coal
every day in the summer, and IS tons
every day during the winter, or an
average of about 5 tons each day for
the year, making an annual saving of
practically 5000 or $4,000. That is
the way that reductions in freight
rates figure up, and shows conclusive
~ why they are worth fighting for.
Topeka's competing cities enjoy saw
ings much in excess of that mentioned
which Topeka will receive from the
new rate. The lower rate on slack
coal is a big inducement to manufac-
turing concerns to come to this city,
and will doubtless have results in that
way.
Nothing definite has vet been heard
with regard to the new rates which
are expected to benefit the jobbing in
terests of the city. That they will be
made is an assured fact The West
ern Freight Rate association will
take up the matter shortly. The con-
cessions are of such a nature, as has
been previously announced, to induce
the Parkhurst- Davis Mercantile com
pany to remain in Topeka and re-
build its big store.