The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-21
Secretary OF Commercial In
terests Talks of the Plans.
Believes That Topeka will Get
Better Rates.
NOT OUT TO INJURE.
Organization Doesn't Desire to
Injure Railroads.
Only Purpose Is to Secure Ju 3
tice for Shippers.

According to H. L. Resting, secretary
of the Wichita Commercial club, and
secretary of the Kansas Federation of
Commercial Interests, who was in To-
peka this morning in response to a call
from the transportation committee of
the Commercial club to meet Shawnee
county's next representatives in the leg
islature, the chances of Topeka for an
early equitable adjustment of freight
rates for its shippers are decidedly
bright
Chairman William Green of the trans
portation committee, called the meeting.
With the members of the committee he
met Mr.. Resting and Shawnee's repre-
sentatives, with the exception of John
Howerton who was absent, in executive
session at the club rooms. After the
gathering, Mr.. Resting stated that Rep
resentativeS Robert Stone and w. A. S.
Bird, and State Senator ]. B. Belts,
practically endorsed his proposed meas
ure. He said that he feels sure that he
can depend upon their support, although
they did not commit themselves.
The bill which Mr.. Resting has been
at work on for over two years is to
have the legislature empower the next
board of railroad commissioners to
adopt a uniform freight rate for Kan
sas, oE, to equalize the present and ex-
listing rates.
my desire" said Mr.. Resting, sis to
stop the discrimination which is going
on all over Kansas right now. That is
where the trouble lies. We have no in
tention whatsoever to harm the rail-
roads. I believe that they will not lose
one dollar. Just now the people of
Kansas are paying annually the sum or
$95, 900, 900 to the railroads for conveying
their freight. That in my estimation
will not be reduced one iota. What we
ask for is that all parts Of the state be
treated exactly alike. Now certain
parts have very high rates, such as you
made such a hard fight in Topeka to
reduce some time ago. There are other
parts of the state which are paying a
whole lot less. But the main object OF
our attack is Kansas City.
"That town has the better of it all
the way through. We desire to give
the manufacturers and business men
as their competitors are having at
Kansas City. We want to do that for
Wichita. We want to do that for the
whole state. Why over in Wichita
for instance, cannot send his wares
ten miles out of the city, without los
ing money on it in comparison to what
the Kansas City jobber has to pay for
the transportation Here in Topeka
you are wrestling with the coal situa-'
ton. Kansas City gets it for 80 cents
and you pay Slip. Those things count
in the business world and they are
what we wish to wipe OUT
What do the railroads think of
your bill % was asked of Mr.. Resting.
The Santa Fe," he replied, will
do little to hinder it. I believe that
road will be neutral. Vice President
Paul Morton told me that he should
like to see it a congressional enact
ment. President Ripley told me the
same thing. But I feel sure that the
Missouri Pacific and Rock Island will
fight the measure to the very last
ditch. Neither of those roads will give
to make it a death struggle"
what are the chances of the pas
sage of the bill ?"
''I think now that they are very good
have canvassed the state thoroughly
during the last two years, and of late
have been doing harder work than ever.
1 have received invitations right and
left from commercial clubs, such as /
attended here in Topeka today, and the
sentiment in favor of the bill is crystal
lizing with astonishing rapidity. That
is especially true of the middle and
western part of the state. The eastern
part has not as much at stake with the
exception of the big towns. And the
majority of the latter are getting right
into line. In some of the counties the
commercial clubs called their legislative
representatives before them and de-
manded of them that they support the
measure. No bones were made about
it. Men who will be in the next law
making body from great many differ
ent portions of the state are committed
right now to vote for it. But that does
not say we are not going to meet with
opposition. I expect it hard and strong,
and the Missouri Pacific and the Rock
Island in my estimation will lead the
attack
The passage of this bill will mean
something to Topeka. 1t will give this
city an equal basis with the rates at
Missouri River points and remove the
bugaboo which shippers here have al
ways had to contend with, namely, the
lower freight rates granted to Kansas
City jobbers. Mr.. Resting is just COM
Of Is1 n II ant
forward in favor Of the bill which was
born in the Kansas Federation of Com
mercial interests. When asked for the
salient feature, he Enthusiastically re-
piled: Justice"
HAD CHECK FOR A MILLION