The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-03-31
NEW PHASE OF
RATE SITUATION
Not Retaiiatory Measure Against Kan
sas City But Demand For Fair
Transportation Rates.

Oklahoma City, Okla, Mar. 3l.-ln
dications point strongly to an inter
state meeting of representatives OF
freight rate bureaus of Oklahoma
Texas, Kansas and Colorado in Okla
homa City, April 5. The idea was
first promulgated by l.. " Moore,
commissioner of the transportation
bureau of Wichita, who suggested
that the meeting be held at Wichita,
April -, The plan met with gen
eral favor all over the southwest. The
time and place have been thus far a
matter Of speculation with the latest
predominant opinion fayoring OKLA
homa City, April 5.
The meeting is not called for the
purpose of waging further war with
| Kansas City, since the merchants
there have announced their decision
to withdraw the Katy boycott, but on
the other hand, the business delibera-
tions Of the body win seek general
adjustment Of freight rates over the
entire southwest. The interstate com
merce commission will probably be
apprised in full of the actions taken,
and asked to consider some impor
ments than has Kansas City.
This condition was brought about
because the Mississippi river cities
continued to be the basing point.
The southwest, in order to reap the
benefit of just rates, is therefore in
tensely interested in making Calves
ton the gateway to the south and in
getting, ultimately, all roads to make
reductions from Galveston northward |
following the lead of the Katy. BY |
reason OF such mutual interest the |
Interstate meeting is considered a |
necessity and officials Of the freight |
bureaus are urging that the meeting |
be held at the earliest possible date.
For two years past the Transmits
sissippi congress which embodies the
commercial organizations west Of the
Mississippi river, has thrown its sup
port, by appropriations and otherwise,
to improving the Galveston port and
in creating permanent deep water
The state Of Texas has remitted all
state taxes to Galveston county practi-
cally ever since the great flood, in or
der to improve the port From this
source, together with liberal contribu-
tions, from the people of Galveston, a
tant measures affecting the transpor-
tation Of the southwest with Calves
ton new basing point
Seek Equitable Rates.
The southwest is at this time seek
ing a general re-adjustment of trans
conditions, which were fast
ened upon it at a time when there
were no north and south railroads, no
noastwise steamship service and no
port at Galveston. Freight rates
which obtained under old conditions,
to prevail since these added
facilities have appeared
which has resulted in discriminatory
'ates for the entire southwest on ship
nent from the east
While Kansas City and Missouri !
liver points have taken advantage Of !
he water lines and the Galveston gate /
way and have been given an equiyal- a
mt of the all-ral rate, Oklahoma and I
he southwest in spite of their prox-
nifty to the southern port, have had 7
o pay higher tariffs on Galveston ship
ca wall costing Sl5(0OO,O0O has been !,
uit, and city grading elevating the !
ntire city from to feet above the G
anger line, has been completed c
The government has also contrib a
ted largely to this enterprise. &
II is pointed out by local traffic Z
hcials that at least three-forths of
Il merchandise shipped from the east
. Oklahoma, can be shipped by the
iater route from New York and sea 9
oard points to Galveston. In cases .
here quicker shipments are neces. =
airy the all rail route will continue !,
, be used The Mallory steamship n
ne of the seaboard lines. makes tri- Ia
eeky trips from New York to Gal W
eston in from five to seven days. de- tc
ending on the weather. q
NNoUNcEMENT. !,