The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-01-23
POSTSCRIPT
like. AVALANCHE.
Testimony Concerning Kansas
Freight Rates Extensive.
Examiner Mackley Found 1t Nee
essary to Adjourn Hearing.
JOBBERS ARE PLEASED
Believe They Have Proved Rates
Are Discriminatory.
Points Brought Out in the Re-
cent Hearing.
JOBBERS ARE PLEASED

When A. r. Mack1ey, special exami-
ner for the interstate commerce COM
mission, came to Topeka to listen to
the complaints Of Kansas jobbers on
the existing freight rates TO points in
this state, he did not plan or the
avalanche Of testimony that was wait
ing for him. He found it necessary to
postpone and continue the hearing un-
til later date and fulfill his engage
ments in southern cities.
The Topeka rate men and the rate
experts from other Kansas cities piled
high their griefs. They produced ev-
erything from the books of a bank
rupt manufacturing concern to
railroad rate sheet to show that Kan
sas is being Disseminated against in
freight rates. They brought out actual
conditions well as known theories
to show that the industries OF Kansas
towns were stunted because OF rail-
road rates that favored the river cit
| les to the east.
The Kansas jobbers feel that they
have made an excellent showing be-
fore the representative of the Inter
state Commerce commission. They
feel that they have proved the in
ability of Kansas manufactures to
compete with Kansas City and other
river towns in the distribution of their
product and the purchase of their raw
materials.
Mr.. NIcEntire's Contention.
| Inc OF the e0klIE nearing was
| brought out when George p. McEntire.
a Topeka manufacturer. stated that
with every cheap fuel ad santage. every
attraction for labor, every chance at a
rich territory and every natural favor
Topeka was unable to build up her in
duStries account of the "prohibi-
tive freight rates that are main
tanned"
What the Kansas manufacturers
want is a revision of the freight rate
making points. When the railroads
terminated at Kansas City and the
bulk of the population centered around
this point, the rates were based on
that terminal. That was the dividing
| line. A through rate to Kansas City
and then-well, the Kansas Jobbers
have been fighting the result ever
since Now that the density of popula-
ton has moved westward. Kansas
wants the rates moved likewise. The
discrimination in favor of Kansas
The rates as they stand now. according
to the testimony gives Topeka a terri
tory of 10000 persons to work on. Kan
sas City on the other hand. Is able 10
serve with equal ease and economy ter
ritOry of 100000 people. And IN this dis
trict of seven millions they include the
paltry 100000 fought over by Topeka. In
other words, the Kansas jobbers show
that Kansas City has the same advant-
ages of the Kansas cities in their imme-
date territory while they have a distinct
advantage in territory outside OF the
It was shown in the hearing that goods
can be shipped from St Louis through
Topeka to Lincoln, then from Lincoln
through Topeka and to points I'm Colo
RADIO at a lower rate than the same goods
can be jobbed from st. Louis direct 20
Topeka.
Points of Discrimination.
w. ]. Wagner. rate clerk OF the Topeka
Traffic association, summed up the dis
elimination when he said.
notwithstanding the fact that IL Is a
principle In freight rate making that the
longer the haul the lower the rate per
ton mile; this rule has not applied in re-
gard to Topeka. This city pays 6.6 cents
per ton mile from Mississippi river points
which is approximately one cent per mile
greater than from st. Louis to Kansas
City.
''rhe rates in northern territory out
OF st. Paul and Duluth are lower than
from Mississippi river points to Topeka
and Kansas points An analysis OF the
rates shows that even though the car
riers publish through commodity rates
to Kansas points. on close observation.
the fact has been developed that they
were simply commodity rates to Kansas
City plus class rates to Kansas points
and beyond
These facts reveal gross discrimination
against Topeka and Kansas points as
conn with Kansas city"