The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-03-03
BOARD NOT MODEST.
Railroad Commission Claims Credit for
All Sorts of Things.

c. A Ryker of the state railroad
board has come out in the following
article in defense of the board from
the attacks of many critics:
81 note that the critic of the board
says that the present board of railroad
commissioners has been consistent
board-consistent in having accom-
writer of the article evidently did not
take the time TO advise himself of the
facts by inspecting the records and re-
ports of the board.
"a few of the more important things
accomplished by the board since its
induction into Office are as follows:
'sThe drafting of a maximum freight
rate schedule. and the securing of the
enactment thereof into law; the effect
of this law is to reduce all of the dis
lance tariff rates approximately rs
per cent and a material reduction of
the terminal rates. The board is in
receipt of multitude of letters testify
ing to the beneficent effect of this law
1.-The present two cent passenger fare
is being enjoyed by virtue only of the
acts of the board of railroad commits
sioners.
1.-The Pullman rate revision was Sc
cured by the board and is a material
benefit to the travelling public.
"A readjustment of the Kansas
grain rates was secured, the effect of
which has been to benefit every Kan
eas farmer and to secure the cleaning,
sas to Kansas business men instead of
the Missouri concerns.
"A revision of the cream rates, the
effect of which the board hopes will be
Kansas so that there will be prosperous
creameries in every section of the
state instead of the handling of the
commodity becoming subject to dicta-
ton of only one or two large concerns.
THE securing Of approximately one
thousand miles of additional passenger
train service for the benefit of the Kan
sas public.
The requiring of the bulletining of
the passenger trains and that the pas
senger coaches be maintained in a
sanitary condition; the securing of de-
pots, agents, operators, sidetracks,
switches, connecting tracks, elevator
locations, stock scales and stock yards
in a vast number of cases. in the ag-
gregate of Importance to the state, but
in each instance of vital Importance to
the local community.
THE prohibiting, as far as possible,
of the use of intoxicants on trains.
THE board has now pending before
the Interstate commerce commission
cases seeking reimbursement of the
rates from the Gulf ports to stations in
Kansas, a general revision of express
rates effective in the state and the mat
ter of securing an equitable adjustment
of interstate rates from the east.
1.-The board believes that the citizens
of Kansas, before accepting as conclu-
sive criticisms of the board, will take
precaution to request a copy of its an
nual report and advise themselves of
the doings of the board.
LAS to the uncalled for attack on Mr..
Sinner, our secretary, L have to say
that the board could not have secured
the services of a more competentS
Iainstaking and conscientious man TO
perform the duties of secretary and
rate clerk for it. He has shown his
familiarity with freight rates on num-
erous occasions
In conclusion 1 do not claim that
the board has made no mistakes; it
probably has. and take my share of
the blame. if there is any, as I have
been on the job all of the time since my
first election.
The board is not at all bashful in its
claims for glory. Governor Stubs
himself could not have made a greater
bid for all the credit in sight and I'M
der ground. The Pullman rate and
readjustment of freight rates were all
secured by laws passed by the legis-
lature and with which the board had
little or nothing to do except to carry
out the orders of the legislative body
The two cent fare contract was made
officially by the board, but everybody
knows that the board is no more en-
titled to credit for this step than is the
state oil inspector. The initiative did
not come from the board.
The cream rate revision by the board
was so unjust to Kansas concerns that
a lawsuit was brought against the
board and finally a compromise was
made that satisfied the creameries of
the state.
The promise of improvements within
a specified time was exacted from the
Missouri Pacific by Governor Stubbs IN
two months time after the board had
been wrestling Intellectually with the
problem for years John Dawson, at
torney for the board, started the ex-
press rate reduction suit on his own
initiative.
The railroad board may be much
abused body, it claims, and its
critics may be wrong. but the state
ments above issued by the board are not
taken seriously by people acquainted
with the facts in the case.
When Frank Ryan, the third member
of the board, was asked about the
claims made by his associates, he was
not sure that the board was entitled TO
the credit for a single reform men
toned in the statement. The board
merely followed instructions in most of
the cases cited.
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