The Topeka state journal., 1905-12-14
WIN FIRST POINT.
Railroads Fail to Bring Grain
Hearing to End.
Asked That Board Of Commits
sfOners Drop the Case.
THEY STRIKE FIRE.
Carr Taylor and Members Of
Board Clash.
Issuance Of Subpoenas the Point
at Issue.
Freight Hen Threaten to Cancel
Milling in Transit Rate.
THEY STRIKE FIRE.
Issuance Of SubpOenas the Point
at Issue.

wednesday over the railroads in the
grain rate fight before the state board
Of railroad commissioners. The board
overruled the demurrer fled by the
railroad companies to all of the evil
dence introduced by Mr.. Taylor.
Indications are that the board viii
grant at least a slight reduction in
grain rates, though the showing made
by the complainants has not been
strong.
When Mr.. Taylor completed the
testimony on behalf of the complain
ants, the railroads entered a demurrer.
and elected to stand upon that demur-
rsr without argument. The board re-
tired for consultation. and when they
reassembled, Mr.. Wheatley announced
that the board had concluded that evil
dence had been introduced which
might warrant q reduction in rates, and
that the demurrer would be overruled-
This was the opening for the millers
to get into the case, and John H. At
wood OF Leavenworth, their representa-
tive, Immediately arose and said:
I'VE now wish to make formal in
auiry Of the railroad representatives
whether or not they will cancel the
milling in transit privilege and other
privileges accorded to m1llers, In case
the board orders q reduction in the To-
cal grain rates in Kansas"
After hasty conference, each of the
freight traffic men, representing the
four roads which are defendants in the
case, stated on behalf of his road that
in case of any reduction, his road
would be obliged to cancel all privi-
leges which have been accorded to the
millers.
Lose Milling In Transit Rates.
]. R. Koontz of the Santa Fe said:
EFF the rate to Kansas City should be
reduced, we would have to look for
some way to retrench. We believe that
we would be entirely justified in with
drawing these special privileges which
have been given to Kansas millers'
:'In Iowa and Illinois," said Chair
man Robson, where the grain rates
are lower than in Kansas, you allow
these privileges; why can't you do it
here?"
Because conditions are different in
those states" said Mr.. Koontz.
But why should you Tetrench along
that particular hne2" persisted Mr..
Robson.
Because our. grain rates are now on
a reasonable basis" said Mr.. Koontz
land If they should be reduced. we
would feel like making our retrench-
ment along that same line of goods"
1T seems to be very strange said
d4f. Robson, that with conditions as
they are, the railroads will not consent
to a small reduction, at least, in grain
rates without interfering with the mill
ing in transit privilege. Illinois has
rates one-third lower than Kansas and
yet the railroad board of that state. af-
ter hearing lasting for several months
mas deemed IL wise to order still fur
ther reduction of 20 per cent"
j. c. Lincoln, freight traffic manager
OF the Missouri Pacific, then made a
Similar statement to that of Mr.
koontz, and was followed by Mr.. Wood
Of the Union Pacific, and Paul Walker
oft
spoke on behalf Of Mr.. Embry, the
Rock Island freight traffic manager who
had left the room.
Taylor Calls It a Bluff.
In reply to these statements, Carr Tay-
lor, the attorney for the board said:
Inere are many things which have
tfansplred which lead me to believe
that this therat of the railroad eompan-
les viii not be carried into effect
do not believe that it will be sanctioned
by the head trafhc men of the respec-
tlNe ROADS. II the board is inclined to
take this threat seriously, I can pro
duce proof to show that the railroads
have at times made a much lower rate
TO points east of the Missouri river
than the rates now in effect"
Mr- Atwood stated that he would be
ready at the morning session of the
board to introduce testimony showing
that any reduction in rates, leading to
car collation. of the milling in transit
privilege would be ruinOus to the mill
ing interests of the state. A large num-
ber Of millers are in attendance at the
hearing.
TaylOr's Clash With the Board.
It has been evident for some time that
an IS not harmonious between Attorney
carr Taylor and the board Of commits
sionera, but the difficulty has been kept
under cover until it appeared during the
nearing Wednesday afternoon.
The clash came over the issuance of
HrTnnnangg
Taylor stated that he desired to have
the board issue an order calling upon
each railroad company to file with the
board maps showing the pro1les, grades
and curves Of all their lines.
The railroad attorneys objected siren
0Dusly to this.
1T would cost $1,000 to have such
maps prepared for our road said NJ A
Low of the Rock Island.
I'VE would have to get part of oalr
road surveyed to give such fnforma-
ton said n. y. LOOMS
These maps Of our road would make
strip ten miles long, and as big as a
hogshead, said w. r. Smith of the
Santa Fe.
Mr.. .Loomis criticised Mr.. Taylor
sharply for making such a demand
1Er. Taylor replied by saying that he
was able TO conduct the case and did
not consider Mr.. Loounis' remarks cour-
teous.
BIr. Loomis retorted that he didn't
consider MI Taylor courteous either,
and that he was able to hand back Just
as good as Taylor could give
Then Mr.. Taylor said that possibly he
might be able to get his desired infor-
nation by subpOenaing the chief engi-
reers Of the various roads II viii ask
the board to issue subpoenas for the
chief engineers, said Mr.. Taylor. Il
haven't any authority to issue sub
roenas without the consent Of the board,
or / would have done So Besides. I
rather thought some Of the engineers
would be present at this hearing.
aThis is the first time Mr.. Wheat
the board said. that this board