The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15
New Topeka Traffic Bureau
Has Made Good Start.
Commissioner DriscoIl Tells
How Office Is Managed.
WILL HOLD BIG DINNER
Enthusiasm Meeting Planned
to Launch Factory Plan.
Commercial Club to Aid De-
serving Industrial Firms.

1t is the opinion of the members
of the new Topeka Traffic association
that this institution will prove a
mighty force in the advancement OF
the business interests of the city.
The offices of the association are
located on the fourth floor of the
New England building and the bu-
reau is In full operation. H. D. Dris-
coll, the traffic commissioner, and
his assistant, S. r. Duckett, have al
ready assisted several of the associ-
alton members in detecting over
charges by the railroads, and natur-
ally these members can't say too
much in praise of the bureau.
But the commissioner and his as
sistant have other matters of import
ance which are occupying their time.
They are working towards procur-
Topeka, and now have the somewhat
difficult task of getting together
complete set of freight rate tariffs.
Have Ordered Cabinet.
1.-The only way a suitable cabinet
for the filing of freight tariffs can
be obtained is to have one made to
ORDER said Commissioner Driscoll
today. IAN order has been placed
for some time and we expect to have
our tariff case in position some day
next week. 1t will be convenient and
up to date, and will greatly facilitate
the handling of our work.
I'VE have already been furnished
with several hundred tariffs of the
different railroad and express COM
panies and find the carriers willing
to furnish copies of any issues that
we desire, provided their supply will
permit.
1T frequently happens that the
supply of a tariff becomes exhausted
and owing to certain complications it
is not possible to reissue. And in
such instances we have to get along
the best way we can. 1t is usually
the case that the tariff most desired
can not be obtained.
"A good illustration of this is
Western Classification No. so; some
months ago the classification COM
mittee issued classification No. 81,
superseding No. so, which action is
supersedfng No. so, which action
is supposed to take place every
commission suspended No. 81, post
poning the effective date for several
months, due to the fact that the new
issue contained many advances of
which numerous complaints were filed
by the shippers. The commission has
held many hearings in various sec
tions of the country and naturally
there has been an unusual demand
for the publication which gave rise to
the controversy. 1t is one of the most
important issues in every tariff file,
as it must be used in connection with
many of the other tariffs we have.
In fact, there are very few tariffs
In effect west of the Mississippi river
that are not subject to the rules and
conditions outlined in the western
classification.
Ironing Out Discrepancies.
"Of course, we are not waiting I'M
til our tariff file is complete before
taking specific matters up with the
proper officials seeking relief. Several
requests have been made upon the
representatives of the railroads and
express conn anieS serving our city and
/ have every reason to believe that we
will have the cooperation of the sew
eral lines in ironing out any discrep
ancieS that may exist. Many items
have been referred to the tariff depart
mentS for correction. After they get
to the tariff department a delay may
be expected as some other items to
go in the same issue may not be in
shape for publication and as the rules
of the interstate commerce commits
sion permit but one supplement to a
tariff in many instances. There is
nothing to do but wait.
'I have made tariffs myself and APP
preciate that it often requires months
to get a tariff in shape for the printer.
Much Work Ahead.
1--WE have a great deal of work be-
fore US and all the spare time that is
not consumed in preparing exhibits
and evidence to be used in our rate
cases will be given to checking freight
bills and handling overcharge claims
for our members.
1--WE have filed several claims for
. overcharge already and some of them
have been paid. One of our heaviest
shippers will receive enough in re-
funds out of the first weeks checking
to pay his dues for one year. Any one
familiar with the working of the rail-
roads understand that such over
charges are not intentional on their
part. With the enormous business they
handle it is impossible to keep errors
from creeping in
Oficers of the Topeka Traffic associ-
alton are: President. George P. Nc
Entire: vice president, Samuel E. Lux;
secretary-treasurer, George H. Fleisch-
man.
Board members: w. H. Davis,
George P. McEntire, J. F. Haskell,
Samuel E. Lux W. o. Anderson,
George H. Fleischman and George w.
Hackney.
The plan for giving assistance to