Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-14
MUST INCREASE
THE ELEV AT0RS
RAILWAY COMMISSIONER N. s
KETcHuM MAKES A REPORT
ON SUBJECT
Situation in North and
Northwest and Finds the Capacity
Limited-Also Causes the Shortage
of Cars.

DeS MONIES, Aug, 9.--Ihat the nanu-
ling of the grain of the northern and
northwestern part of Iowa is ques-
ton of elevator capacity, is the belief
of State Railroad Commissioner N. S.
ketchum. who has just concluded an
investigation of the subject and the
facts that he has succeeded in laying
bare will in all probability have great
deal to do with disposing Of the recip-
rncal demurrage bill when it is to be
presented at the next session of the
legislature.
Prospective investors in elevators
have complained to the railroad COM
mission that the railroads have refused
sites for elevators. In several in
stances it has been discovered that the
reason for the railroad refusing
ground for the site is that there are
three or four elevators in the town al
ready. An investigation made by MI,
ketchum disclosed that the three or
| four elevators together had a capacity
of but 10000 or 10000 bushels where
the community should have elevator
capacity of 100000 bushels at least.
Demands the Capacity.
Finding this true in some instances,
Mr.. Ketchum has travelled extensively
through the northerw and northwest
ern part of the state and made per.
sonal investigation. His discovery Is a
woeful lack of elevator capacity in the
great grain regions of the northern
and northwestern part Of the state.
According to Mr.. Ketchum the number
of elevators is matter of no consid.
GRAFTON; the capacity Of the elevators
is every consideration. He has called
the attention of the railroads to this
fact and an effort will be made by the
railroad commission to rectify the
wrongs by inducing the railroads to
cause bigger elevators to be erected.
The question of the shortage of cars
throughout the northern part of the
! state it is believed is wholly traceable
to this lack of elevator capacity,
} There are elevators sprinkled all over
the northern part of the state that
have capacity of 10000, which means
that the produce from few farms
fills the elevator and after that it is a
question pracucaly of loading direct
to the cars. Cities of southern Iowa
corresponding in size to those of the
northern part of the state where there
! is an elevator capacity of but 10000
bushels, have an elevator capacity OF
100000 bushels and more, and from
such cities there is no complaint of this
shortage of cars.
Many Too Small
= Commissioner Ketchum has called
the attention of the management OF
every railroad that passes through
the northern part of the state to this
inadequate capacity. Railroads now
have rule that no elevator can BIZ
erected that does not have a capacity
of at least $4,000 bushels Mr. Ketch
1 UNI has recommended that all the ole
: elevator owners be required to in
r crease the capacity of their elevators
: to this minimum size. There are now
: many elevators with but from 5000 tt
10000 bushels. The fast selling of the
northern part of the state has out
grown the capacity Of the elevators.
A number Of railroad officials have
already written to the commission ad
= hitting the conditions and PROMISING
I that in leasing ground for new elevat
ors and in releasing sites for elevator.
= already erected the owners of such ele
vators will be required to increase tht
/. size to the minimum. Elevator mel
i in the northern part of the state hav,
been in the habit, as soon as their lit
tie elevators We're filled and they coult
take no more grain, of complaining Il
the farmer that it was all the fault o
the railroads for not furnishing cars
A further matter of consideration Il
, the fact mat an elevator can never b.
filled. When the oats bins are filled t.
running over the corn bins are bu
partly filed and can be used for moth
ing but corn and when the corn bin
are filled the oats bins are but partl,
: filled and no more corn can be re
ceived.