The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-17
Of Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas
Meet in X. C.
ARGUE THE PETITION
Before Judge PrOuty for Re-
ductiOn in Freight.
General Jackson Represents In
terests of His State.

kansas City. Mo. March 17.-Mer-
chants and jobbers from Kansas. Okla
homa and Texas, representing 200
cities and towns in those states. ap-
peared before Judge Charles A.
Prouty of the interstate commerce
commission here today to argue in
favor of their petition asking for a
decrease in railway freight rates.
The hearing is on a petition for a
reduction in the freight rates. based
on the Gulf water rates from New
filed by the commission several months
ago.
The hearing here today, which was
only preliminary, has brought together
not only shippers, but as well the rep
resentatives of transportation bureaus
in St. Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis and
Cincinnati. The eastern interests will
appeal from the statement of facts in
the petition None of these latter in
tereSts, will, it is stated, protest against
the granting of the rate asked for, but
they will demand of the commission
that the freight rates to the cities they
represent be reduced in a correspond
ing measure. The hearing of argu-
ments will not begin actively until to-
morrow.
H. G. Wilson, petition commissioner
will ask that rates to Kansas from the
east be reduced to a lower figure than
that demanded in the petition from
the western and southwestern COM
munities. on the ground that the dis
tance from New York by rail is less
than to any of the petition points by
way of Galveston.
The petitioners are represented by S.
T. Cowan of Wichita and Attorneys
General Jackson of Kansas and West
of Oklahoma are also present. They
spent today in conference, mapping
out plan of campaign.
Judge PrOntV will hear the evidence
of the petitioners, their arguments
why the rate should be established
and the remonstrance from the cities
against granting a lower rate on the
Galveston basis than could be obtained
on the all-ran routes from the eastern
ports. 1t probably will be several
months before judgment in the case
can be handed down by the commits
sion.
History of the Case.
John L. Powell, a wholesale dry
goods merchant of Wichita, Kan. is
president of the Southwestern Shippesr'
Traffic association which filed the com
plaint originally with the commission
1.-The complaint" said Powell today
requests revision of rates from At
lantic seaboard territory into the
southwest via Gulf of Mexico ports, and
is the most comprehensive and formid-
able movement ever instituted by the
shippers of the west for readjustment
of existing rates
association was organized at Oklahoma
City, year ago by the representative
shippers throughout the states of Kan
sas. Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico and
Colorado. More than thirty towns and
cities were represented and thereafter
more than 200 additional cities and
towns Joined the movement
Kansas and Oklahoma have official
1y taken up the fight in the interests of
the southwestern shippers and expert
traffic men from Wichita. Oklahoma
City, Galveston, Pueblo and other cities
will be here to testify at the hearing
The purpose of southwest shippers
IS to secure general revision of rates
in and out of the southwest via the
Gulf OF Mexico. They believe they are
entitled to the benefits that may be
derived from their close proximity to
the gulf ports that have been improved
by the expenditure of millions of dol
lors by the United States government
They believe the natural advantages
thus improved should he utilized to aid
the growth of the southwest, and not to
allow the millions expended, to be
wasted by the arbitrary action of the
railway companies. who have so far ar
bitrarily controlled rates by sea and
land to defeat the objects heretofore
desired to be attained.
The people of the southwest desire
simple justice and thoroughly believe
that this can be brought about without
affecting the railway carriers who oper-
ate in the west and at the same time
Bring great benefits to the people lfv-
Ing in these southwestern states.'
An Explanation of the Case
What is generally conceded to be the
most important case ever presented to
the Interstate commerce commission
will begin tomorrow morning before
Commissioner Prouty at Kansas City,
Mo. II may be necessary to adjourn
the hearing to Galveston and New
York before the case is finally sub
mitted to the commission. Kansas. Ok
lahoma and Texas have Joined forces
in this suit for lower freight rates.
The case Is known as the
Southwestern Shippers Traffic as
and los other railroads and steamship |
companies. and the board of railroad |
commissioners of the state of Kansas
1ntervenerS. John s. Dawson. attor-
ney for the state board of railroad
commissioners. aDpea red for the state of |
Kansas and with him g. W. Kanavel |
Charles A. Ryker and F. J. Ryan, COM
missioners, and E. G. Sinner, secretary. |
A E. Helm. of Wichita, is attorney |
for the various commercial clubs of the |
states of Kansas. Oklahoma and Texas |
which comprise the Southwestern Ship |
pers' Traffic association. F. S. Moore |
traffic manager of the transportation |
Johnston, transportation expert of Ok ,
lahoma City, and H. H Haines, secre- |
tary of the Galveston Chamber of Com
merce and various public officials of i
and Texas are arrayed on the |
same side and all the railroad legal and |
traffic experts of the country on the
ether.
The gist of the suit is a demand to (
secure from the interstate commerce |
commission on behalf of Kansas,