The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-17

sissippi and Missouri river baSing lines
and based upon the proximity of these
three states to deep water ports of the
Gulf coast During years past freight
rates into Kansas have been based sub
stantially upon sum of rates com
prising the New York rate to the Missis-
sippi river, plus Mississippi river to the
Missouri river, plus the Missouri river
rate to points in Kansas. This suit
prayS for a system of rates which
shall be comprised of New York to
weston to points in Kansas, and as this
is and always will remain a cheaper
route for the shipment of traffic. a diff
ferential should be decreed and pre-
the Galveston route The state of Kan
sas contends that If the old transcon-
tinental system of rate making, estab-
lished many years ago, was ever justi-
merely as trading district for the
wholesale interests of Chicago, ST.
Louis, Kansas City and st. Joseph that
day has passed, and the present inn
portance of the state of Kansas in
point of wealth, population and COM
merce iustif1eS and demands that the
interests of the state of Kansas shall
be primary In making rates into Kan
sas territory and that the interests of
Kansas should no longer be considered
a mere incident to the commercial well
fare of those great cities which are
situated outside of our borders.
Short of Funds.
The legislature of the state of KAN
sas has never furnished the state board
of railroad commissioners with the
funds to make a full compilation of
railroad and industrial statistics, such
as is commonly authorized and proyid-
ed by the legislatures of other states.
This would really be the work of a
public utility commission. But by ex-
traordinary efforts, the Kansas attor-
ney, Mr.. Dawson, has gathered togeth-
er no mean array of data to support
the contention of the state of Kansas.
Through the chamber of commerce of
Galveston, Mr.. Dawson has secured ex-
hibitS of the ocean proportions and
allowances from Liverpool to New Or
leans and Galveston which apply to all
through rates into Kansas. His tables
of ocean and rail rates are elaborate
and Instructive. From governmental
statistical abstracts, he has compiled
tables of railroad valuations and ex-
penditures for improvements, operating
revenues and net revenues of all the
railroads interested in the Kansas
trade, showing the percentage of profit
in the railroad business From various
sources Mr.. Dawson has cleaned the
cost of the Kansas railroad properties
as well as their basic valuation for rate
making purposes.
The secretary of agriculture, F. D.
Coburn, Secretary WellhouSe, of the
State Horticultural society. the state oil
inspector, J. s. LongShore, w. L. A.
Johnson, commissioner of labor and in
dustries, Pank Commissioner Dolley,
State Auditor Nation, and the tax COM
mission have all contributed official
6ata to support the contentious of Kan
SaS.
The business men of the Kansas in
terror jobbing centers. and particularly
those of Wichita. Hutchinson and Sa-
hpa, are much interested in the out
come of this suit. while Chicago, St.
Louis, Kalsas City and st. Joseph will
line up with the railroads to maintain
the present system of rate making.
john Dawson went to Kansas City
early this morning, ard he tclephoned
at noon today that Henry Allen and
John Prwe1l, editor and merchant re-
srectively. at Wichita were there to at
tend the hearing. Attorney General
West and his assistant. Geo. A. Hen
shaw, and J. E. Love, chairman, and
NJ. Bee. expert of the state corporation
commission. all oe Oklahoma, were ex-
Dected this evening.