The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-12-01
TO SEE ABOUT IT.
Carr Taylor Makes New Move in
Car Shortage.
Brings an Action Against
Kansas Railroads.
HAVE DONE LITTLE.
Moved Less Grain and Stock
Than Formerly.
Coal Shortage Is Responsible
for the Action.

relating to car shortage received to-
day. Carr w. Taylor, attorney for the
state board of railroad commissioners.
Med an action with the railroad board
asking that the board make an investi-
cation to determine if possible whether
or not the railroads are using their
equipment in other states, and discrim-
! mating against Kansas shippers.
The suit is directed against the Mis-
souri, Pacific, Santa Fe, Rock Island
Frisco, -. X. & T., Union Pacific and
T. x. & W. railways.
Mr.. Taylor had about decided that it
would be Of no avail to call for an in
vestigation Of the car shortage but he
I received today from Kansas City infor-
nation that the Frisco road had issued
orders that no coal cars should be load
ed for shipment to points off the COM
pany's lines.
Il also had a long talk with Charles
Nicholas Of Osborne" said Mr.. Taylor
this morning. in which he stated that
| if there should be a sudden faA in tenn
perature, there would be hundreds of
towns in northern Kansas left almost
entirely without coal. lie stated that
at his home in Osborne there is not a
days supply of coal in the hands of
dealers, and that there would be great
suffering in case of turn in the
weather
4 realize that the railroads are short
Of cars but I can't understand why the
equipment which they ordered last year
is not on hand to help them out of the
trouble
The complaint fled by Mr.. Taylor to-
day is as follows:
Nov comes Carr w. Taylor, attor-
ney for the board Of railroad commits
sioners OF the state Of Kansas and COM
planning OF the above named defen-
dants, aver sand says:
"First-That each OF the above
named defendants is railroad cor
poration, owning and operating as a
common carrier line or lines Of
railroad within the state Of Kansas
and as such common carrier is sub
ject to the laws and the regulations of
the board Of railroad commissioners
under the laws of the state Of Kan
sar-
Second Complainant further says
that during the past five years the
business Of the people OF the state of
portatfon facilities Of the defendants
for ita successful conduct, has in
creased to such an extent that the
equipment OF each OF said defendants
is wholly insufficient and inadequate
to conveniently serve the public. That
each or the above named defendants
have and are failing to furnish cars
to consumers and shippers within
made for cars by said consumers and
shippers for shipments wholly within
this state.
"Third-Your complainant further
AYERS that the normal demand for cars
and transportation facilities by the pub
lie upon each Of the above named de-
PENDANTS is greatly in excess of the pres
ent ability of the said defendants to
furnish.
'sF'ourth-Your complainant further
AYERS that he is informed and believes
that each of the above named defend
ants have moved less grain, hay and
Fxyca ST 70 9TH
points within the state of Kansas dur
ing the months of August. September,
October and November, 1906 than was
moved during the corresponding months
for the year 1905 That therefore 1t
appears that each Of the above named
defendants have and are discrimina ting
against the producers and shippers of
Kansas. in favor of the producers and
shippers of other states and that the
people Of Kansas upon each Of the
above lines are not receiving their just
share and proportion of the equipment
owned by the above defendants.
F'ifth-Your complainant further
AYERS that the car shortage above men
toned affects practically every town in
the state of Kansas located upon the
respective lines of the above defend
ants; that numerous complaints have
been and are being received each day
from all sections Of the state of Kan
sas from shippers, to the effect that
they are unable to secure cars for the
shipment Of their products and live
are made from different sections Of
the state Of Kansas to the effect that
coal dealers are unable to secure a suf-
hctent supply of coal for the necessities
of the people because of failure to Sc
cure equipment from the above named
defendants. that if the present condi- |
lions continue there is great danger that
the people residing in many sections of
the state of Kansas may suffer from q |
coal shortage; that in many sections Of
the state the people are at this time
suffering from a shortage in their coal
supply because Of said failure Of the
above named defendants to furnish s11f-
hcient equipment.
"Sixth-Your complainant further
says that in many cases shippers have |
been com PEELED to wait after making
applications for cars. from three weeks !
to three months before their applfcs4- |
tfons and demands have been complied /
with; that many stations IN the state /
of Kansas have been unable to secure /
any cars whatever for this shipment 81 |
corn and that at many stations upon |
the lines Of the above named defend /
have used all CT their storage capacity I
of their elevators and have been COM
PEELED to stop buying grain because of |
inability to ship same to the general 1
AYERS that the same conditions exist in /
all parts of the state of Kansas rela-
tive to all mill products.
ttNh erefOre. your com plainant prays I
that your honorable board forthwith /
make a thorough investigation Of the
matters above set forth and a thorough /
inquiry as to the number Of cars owned /
by each Of the.above named defendants 1
and as to what disposition is made Of
the same with reference tc traffic upon
each system and ascertain the reason
Why the present extraordinary and I
damaging car shortage exists upon the
lines of the above named defendants
and upon a full and final investigation
that each Of said defendants be ordered
to increase their equipment SO as to
fully meet the normal demands Of the