The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-28
to GIVE IT Up.
Implement Men VIII Drop Their
Rate Fight.
Would Receive No Relief From a
Late Hearing.
WAIT FOR A CHANGE.
Pres. Blaine Says There Is No
Chance Before Present Board.
win Organize to Make Demands
Of Legislature.
WAIT FOR A CHANGE.

Because the board Of railroad com
missioners-0ne member acttng-refus-
ca the request of an immediate hear
ing of the Implement nate case, as re-
ported in Tuesdays State Journal, 1t
IS practically certain that the imple-
ment men will withdraw their case
we cant gain anything from the
present board of railroad commission
ers." said D. ". Blaine of Pratt, pres
ident OF the association. I'VE would
probably get some outrageous decision
such as was rendered In the grain rate
case. The only result would be an ex-
posure Of our evidence to the railroads.
The implement shipments for the year
viii be practically completed by Nay
s, when the board agreed to hear the
case. Hence there IS no advantage in
having a hearing at all at this time
When we file the case again, we viii
hope to have a board that isn't under
the control Of the railroad fcOrnpauIes.
The policy OF the railroads in these
rate cases Is simply suicidal to them.
We might be willing to compromise on
g reduction in rates If they would act
fairly In the matter AS it is we Will
get ali VIE can in the way Of reductions.
Every county in the state has on an
average % residents who are engaged
In the implement trade. The railroads
and railroad politicians VIII see whath-
ct or not this body Of men has any
influence"
There IS also great Indignation ex-
pressed by the implement men because
only one member of the board of rail-
road commissioners was here yesteT-
day which was the regular day fer
the weekly meeting, and the day upon
which the important motion for an
Immediate hearing in the implement
case was to be heard
Tt Is evidently the idea that as The
members Of the board OF railroad come
nissioners are paid $4,000 year eacn
for their services, they ought to be
willing to spend at least one day a
week Ga attention to their official du-
ties.
ar. Blaine. the president OF the I'm
plement Dealers association, was in
favor OF having the implement men
set behind the special session move
ment and try to force Governor HOch
To call a. special session to pass a
maximum freight rate law.
Govern Hoch told me yesterday. %
said AIr. Blaine, that ia his judgment
no emergency existed which warranted
the calling Of q special session. told
him that before night there would be
such an emergency, and my words
proved true by the action Of the one
member Of the board Of railroad com
uissi oners.
It IS understood. however. that the
Blaine plan for special session does
not meet with the approval of the
other implement men. They say that
the chances are that the governor
could not be persuaded to call spe-
ciaI session after having taken a strong
attitude 10 opposition to such a move,
and that by bringing special pressure
Ia bear with that end in view they
would only embarrass the governor
who Is now friendly to their cause
Favor a Maximum Rate Law.
IT Is Iikely however, that at the
next session of the legislature the inn
element men win get behind move