Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1907-02-28
Special to the RsnecsOr.

AAeA AeSA6s "t
grain and Its products IS per cent to
take effect at once.
The senate today discussed maxi
mum rates on coal and kindred
matters.
It is reported that the conference
on the primary bill is going to agree
on q bill.
The senate passed the Dairy COM
mission bill this morning.
Senator Brewer voted for rate bill
aud made the following remarks con-
ceraing the measure:
| Mr.. Chairman: l have the honor
to represent the great agricultural
counties OF Clay and Dickinson, which
are deeply interested in the reduction
OF freight rates.
In 1906, according to Secretary
Coburn's report, my district produced
over 100000 bushels Of wheat, corn
and oats. While some Of this grain
was used for home consumption, 3
large portion Of it was shipped out OF
the counties, either In its original
shape or as other products. ! am q
merchant, a large receiver Of freight,
and very heavy shipper Of certain
products 81 the farm. / have been
identified with the agricultural inter-
ests Of my district for many years.
and fully appreciate the necessity
for and the justice Of reduction in
freight rates, particularly a reduction
Of freight rates on the products OF the
farm, such as wheat, corn, oats end
other products. There is no measure
before tie senate Of such vital inter-
est to my people and the people CT
the state Of Kansas, as a reduction In
freight and passenger rates.
The discussions thus far on the bill
before us seem TO be over the amount
of this reduction, /. e., how far this
Legislature should go in naming rate
that will be just to the people OF Kan
sas, and also be fair 10 the railroads.
The people are demanding reduction
and their demands are just and right.
They have not said to this Legislature
how much OF reduction In freight
rates we should make, but they are
expecting us to give Them something
that will be Of practical benefit, and q
rate that will be put into effect at
once lin time for the coming harvest
-and Of which they can have the
benefit without going into the courts
: to secure 1t. II has been intimated
upon the floor Of the senate, and
, have heard the rumor on the outside
that a horizontal reduction OF ID pei
' cent will not be contested In thu
! courts by the railroad companies, bu
would be put into effect as soon Al
The tariff sheets could be made up
8 and the people given the benefit Q
4 reduction at once, while greater re
s duction would be contested on th
9 ground OF being below the margin Q
Q reasonable profit.
q am Of q practical mind, and
: would rather go home to my Peopl
0 giving the people Of the state Of Kau
! sas horizontal reduction Of 10 pc
Q cent on wheat, corn and grain pre-
$ ducts than to pass 3 bill here maxim
i a reduction Of IS, 20 or % per cen
y that would be carried to the courts an
n fought for several years, during whic
y time the people would pay the sam
II old freight rates they have been CON
planning about for years. / belieV
II thlt we should pass a bill that wi
l. give the people relief at once. and nj
y one that will merely invite q law sui
T. But in doing this we should nj
E. stop at passing this bill in such ioru
y We should adopt along with 1t Ia
le that will empower the board Of raj
ID way commissioners to make thOroue
and competent Investigation, wi
= expert assistance, to discover the po
Is sibillty Of yet further lowering
70 these rates on grain. II IL is foul
e. that this can be done, that IS P
o cent, 20 per cent or rs per cent !
oil duotiOn is possible, the board shall
- empowered TO put it into effect
10 once. Proper appropriation for 50
b. investigation should Be made. III
,es the farmers Of the state win have I
N. advantage Of immediate rsducsi'