The Topeka state journal., 1911-06-05
RAILROAD NEWS.
One Freight Train Week Not
Enough for WOlcott.
That Comprises the EntireTrain
Service There.
COMPLAINT is MADE
Ask State Utilities Commission
to Help Out.
U. c. t. Also Complain About
COMPLAINT is MADE
U. c. t. Also Complain About
the Missouri Pacific.

Speaking Of train service, how is one
freight train week as an example of
the effort of the railroad company to
relieve the congestion Of traffic? VOL
cott, a little town in Wyandotte coun-
ty, located on the line of the Missouri
Pacific. has made a complaint to the
state utilities commission in regard to
this sluggish condition of it's CONNER
cial intercourse with the outside world.
Judged from the allegations contained in
its complaint. Wolcott has been worse
treated than any town since the de-
structton of Ninevah. Located few
miles from a railroad metropolis, and
with railroad track extending by it's
doors, Wolcott~ receives freight once q
week.
Towns on the Santa Fe trail so years
ago were visited as often as this by
the OK wagon freighters.
The complaint was filed with the
commission by one F. A. Farmer of
of 450 cherry trees from Louisiana, Mo-,
April 30., He has just received his trees
and they died en- route. Farmer is sore.
No wonder. He has called on the utili-
ties commission to witness the justice
of his cause.
If this Kansas horticulturist had
lived on an island of the sea he would
have received his cherry trees by this
time. His land was prepared for the
orchard and the sprouts came not. No
ries that ought to have grown red and
luscious ON those trees under the
amorous kiss of the Kansas sunshine.
The Missouri Pacific Is not only la
BILE to Mr.. Farmer for the loss of the
money he invested in these fruit trees,
but it should be held liable to the state
of Kansas for obstructing the fruit in
dustry and discouraging the develop
ment of Wyandotte countys horticul-
tural resources.
{ehk fro No wonder
WoIcott is up in arms and calling on
the utilities commission for aid and
Justice.
AS for the Missouri Pacific. 1t ad-
mits. with unblushing nerve that 1t
served only one freight train week
to Wolcott and that the tonnage did
not warrant that single one. 1t went
further, it says in its answer, and in
creased the service to two trains a
week. Two freight trains, both in one
week, choking up the Wolcott siding
and blocking her railroad yards while
snorting switch engines hustled around
like satan in a divorce suit trying 10
relieve the congestion. And the right
of way was blocked with 'drays to haul
away the merchandise. Two days OF
riotous labor and clamor and turmoil
and confusion at Wolcott. all because
the Missouri Pacific will not give that
town daily freight service and enable
the markets of commerce to be con-
QOCLeQ WlIn OT0GT dllu IC6 Qlo1ALys
The public utility law was passed In
good time, and Wolcott will be the frst
to profit by the wisdom and foresight
of the 1911 legislature.
The United Commercial Travellers
are behind a complaint against the
Missouri Pacific custom of prohibiting
the public from riding on its freight
trains. The utilities commission start
ed the hearing in this case at Salina
Friday and will continue it at Topeka
June 73.
It is the contention of the drum
mers" that the road has changed its
regular freight trains in Kansas to ex-
tras that run without reference to
schedule in order that travellers can
not use the freight trains in reaching
their destination. Now it is well known
that people who have to depend upon
the Missouri Pacific for transportation
have to avail themselves of freight as
well as passenger trains to get any
where Barred from freight trains the
travelling public has to walk or hire
wagon. The U. c. t. are trying to get
the utilities commission to make the
Missouri Pacific open up its cabooses
to passengers. The board will hear ad-
ditional testimony in, this case June IL.