The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-01
Mr.. GEORGES IDEAS.
His Suggestions for New Rail-
road Law.


H. L. Reising, of Wichita, secretary
of the Kansas Federation of CONNER
clal Interests, is sending out to prom
lneRt shippers over the state copies of
a new railroad bill which it is proposed
to present to the next legislature fer
passage, backed by the federation. It
is supposed to be an improvement on
the present law, and Mr.. Reising asks
for suggestions from shippers TO still
further improve it.
J. S George of Hutchinson. the
wholesale glOceryman who was a can
didate for railroad commissioner at the
Wichita convention, backed by the
commercial interests aas suggested the
following ideas which ne thinks should
be included in a new railroad law:
"First-That the mere conditions of
rates in other States put in effect by
a line which is also operating in Kan
sas in order to establish a reasonable
rate, is not sufficient, but that it should
be mandatory upon the commissioners.
and where they consider that con6i
lions are similar, that they establish
a rate no greater, for a like service on
the same line in Kansas. That Where
the question of conditions may be ia
vOrable to a lower rate in another
state, that in no case shall the charge
in Kansas exceed such rate in other
state by some definite amount-say one
half.
'Second-That where commodity
rates on car loads are in effect from
any manufacturing or producing point
to the large distributing centers in 9TH
er states, or upon the borders of our
state, that such commodity rates shall
be continued within the state of KAN
saS upon the same basis of rate, i. e..
that the same relative difference be-
tween the carload rate shall be main
tanned to the distributing points in
Kansas and that if the railroads will
not, of their own accord, adjust such
interstate rates on this basis, then it
shall be the duty of the commissioners
to <sK a rate upon such carloads from
the border of Kansas through which
such commodity enters, and to the
distributing points III Kansas Whfcn
will accomplish the same object, and
that if any railroad in the direct inter
est of competitive points in 9th r
states attempt to adjust rates in their
favor by reducing the less than car
load rate, that it shall be the duty and
shall be made mandatory upon the
commissioners to reduce the carload
rate spondingly, so that just
and equitable extension of such COM
modify rates on carloads into the state
of Kansas be always maintained.
"Third-That it shall be the duty and
made mandatory upon the commission
ers to carefully study the tariffs of all
| lines operating in Kansas both as to
their rates within the state and their
rates through other states to points
upon the boarder of Kansaswithout the
state and which are competing for the
I commerce of Kansas, and that wher-
ever such tariff show rates made es-
pecially in the interest of such COM
peting points for the purpose, or which
/ have the effect. of controlling the COM
| merce of this state to the detriment of
the jobbing and distributing interests
within this state, it shall then be their
duty and made mandatory upon them
/ to put into effect within this state such
| commodity rates on carloads or less
quantities from the border of the state
/ through which such commodities are
entering, as to place the jobbing and
/ distributing points in other states. OF
I to give to such points in Kansas such
advantages as should accrue to then
/ BY reason of the longer through haul
in carloads and the shorter distribute
ing haul
''Fourth-That where grain or fioui
rates to the sea board are made espe-
! cially in favor of large concentrating
| or forwarding points without the state
| and any line within the state of Kan
sas participating IN the same, that Il
| shall be the duty of the commission
ers to adjust rates within the state OF
| such commodities to as far as possible
| offset such determinations. that con.
structive rates be not applied on shin
| ments of Kansas products to the sea,
board.
''Fifth-Where the railroad commits
sioners fail or refuse to obey any o
the mandates of this act. then 1t shall
be within the power and privilege o
any person, corporation. firm, munich
pality, or community. to bring man