The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-12-13
ROBB TOLD IT ALL
Reduction in Grain Rates Would
Benefit Farmers.
MilIers and Elevator Men Would
Not Be Affected.
UNLOADING CHARGE.
I. q. Maxwell Tells How 1t Helps
the Trust.
Serves as a Rebate From the
Railroads.
Admits That He Knows OF No
Specific Instances.

J. C. Robb, of Wichita, the grain man
Who is here attending the grain fale
hearing before the board Of railroad
commissioners in the interest Of
railroad companies, admitted this morn
ing on the witness stand that any re-
duction in rates which the rallroaos
rnfgbt make would be of no benefit
whatever to the millers and elevator
men. but would be of benefit entirely
70 the producers Of grain.
This is one OF the points which the
railroad companies have strenuously
denied. They have asserted that what
ever reduction the railroad companies
might make would simply mean a. low
er price for grain, and no benefit to
the Kansas grain producers.
Tt was Just at the close of Mr.. Robb's
testimony that this important fact was
developed, and it was evident that Mr..
Robb did not appreciate the signi1-
cnce of his admission. He had been
doing his best all through his testimony
to show that Kansas grain men are
getting a square deal, and that the rate
OF 285z cents from Wichita to the gulf
ports gives Wichita q sufficient adVan-
tage over Kansas City, in spite of the
fact that the haul from Kansas City is
hundreds of miles further and the rate
only 2 cents higher.
wouldn't you consider it a good
thing If you were given rate to Cal
weston prOportiOnate to the advantage
which YOU have over Kansas City in
distance2" asked Carr Taylor of Mr..
@Sure" said the witness.
And II you should get any reduc-
tion. would the mills and elevators be
mo, not a cent" said Robb. TT
would all go to the farmers"
1t was somewhat of a surprise when
Mr.. Taylor called Mr.. RObb as a wit
ness Robb was supposed to be here
as witness for The railroad companies.
The only other witness examined this
morning at the rate hearing was J. G.
Maxwell, of Mcpherson Mr.. MaXwellis
testimony was largely concerning
the unloading charges made by
Maxwell stated that the Kansas City
elevators get a rebate from the rail-
roads of I Il cents per 100 for unload
ing grain, and that this unloading
charge served the purpose of a rebate
in favor of the trust elevator.
Mr.. Taylor had the witness go into
a detailed description of the number
of elevators in Kansas City, and their
connection with the various railroad d
companies. He also told of the grain
-A-N4A WI AAO DAiN- ate BAA t4AG NdLAOuS lines
of road. Mr. Maxwell is a grain
buyer himself doing a sort of brok-
erage business, and fe had found he
stated, that he could not compete with
the buyers representing the railroads.
"DOn't you have the same unloading
privileges that anybody does? asked
NJ. A. Low.
mo, I don't" said the witness.
"Can you name a single instance in
which a shipper has not been accord
ed this privilege 2"
The witness hesitated and finally
stated that he couldn't. But" he
said, II can tell that the discrimina-
ton exists, and so could you if you
were shipping grain"
Wen, how do you know?" persist
ed Mr.. Low.
Just the same way that I know the
wind is blowing; I see the trees bend
ana the grass wave replied Max
The attendance at the grain hear
ing continued large this morning and
though only two witnesses were ex-
amlned, 1t is likely that the hearing
VIII be concluded Thursday
Tuesday Afternoons Session.
Opening of the Session.
The little court room of the board of
railroad commissioners was crowded
with people for the opening session.
afaln Shippers, millers, elevator men,
cupied all the chairs which could he
packed in. and lined the walls.
IN the center Of the room, somewhat
apart at a table by himself was Carr
1aylor' attorney for the board, the man
VINO single handed has dared to attack
the railroads and demand from them a
reduction in grain rates for the benefit
OF the shippers of Kansas
opposing Taylor in this fight, the
railroads of the state have sent their
very best legal talent: half a dozen ten
s2oQsand dollar lawyers, and a lot of
Irelght rates experts of equally high
standing. NJ. A. Low is representing
the Rock Island: W r. Smith and A
a Hurd the Santa Fe; n. II. Loomis
Lne Union Pacific; Frank Doster and J.
u Richards the Missouri Pacific. J. @.
Lincoln, the Missouri Pacidc's star
Ireight rate man, J. R KoOntz, general
freight agent of the Santa Fe; H H
Embry OF the Rock Island, and a dozen
minor freight officials from all the lines
IN the state are all present and in
constant conference.
To make good measure, John H At
wood of Leavenworth. hired by the
mlllers of the state, is lined up in op-
position to Taylor
With such an outlook, it is not sur
pllslng that people who come in to lis
ten to the hearing are impressed with
the fact that the state Of Kansas has
mace very inadequate provision to at
TEND to the gigantic conflict which it
has undertaken in its efforts to get a
square deal on freight rates. Carr Tay-
lor is making a good fight, but the state
should have more lawyers and freight
experts available in such an emergen-
cg.
JOhnk Takes a Hand.
]. II. JOhnk, the Solomon, kan. re-
former, created excitement for the
crowd while waiting for the hearing to
commence. Johnk is the man who or
iginated the farmers cooperative eIe-
yator idea, and though he came to
Kansas from Germany In 1880 he has a