The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-11-13
THE FIRST STEPS
They Have Been Taken in
Fight on StOckyards Co.
Suit to Force Improvements
for Shippers.

Preliminary steps in a tight to COM
pei the Kansas City stock yards COM
pany to improve its terminal facilities
and to come under the Jurisdiction of
the public utilities commission for reg
ulation as. to service, rates ana earnings
was launched when the utilities COM
mission announced q hearing for De-
cember Is, when the question Of rates
and service will be investigated.
The utilities commission claims jur-
isdiction over the stock yards company.
but IL this Jurisdiction should be de-
MED in the courts, it is probable that
Governor Hodges will then direct the
attorney generals office to bring quo
warranto proceedings in the supreme
court to compel the stock yards COM
pany to perform the service which the
utilities commission seeks to have
rendered.
Following the action Of the utilities
commission in refusing to approve the
stock yards company's 81 100000 stock
issue for the Kansas City Connecting
Railway company. the commission pre-
pared to force. If possible, this extern
sion of the stock yard company service.
But as the stock yards company does
business both in Kansas and Missouri
and portions of its property lie in both
states, there is contention as to the
jurisdiction OF the Kansas commission.
It is contended by the commission that
the stock yards company confessed
Kansas jurisdiction when they sought
the approval Of their bond issue in
Kansas and wanted to charter their
three miles of extra trackage and oper-
ate as common carrier under the
Kansas laws
VIII Investigate Dividends
The stock yards company asked
NNevw
dollars worth Of stock. but also asked
Tor an order compelling the railroads
to absorb the extra terminal charges
on the plea that the stock shippers
needed the service and the railroads
were able to meet the extra expense
on the existing rates to stock ship
pers.
This question Of earnings, however, Is
q two edged sword and the utilities
commission. IL making It work both
ways. And while the order for a hear
ing In December says nothing about
the earnings Of the stock yards COM
rany. 1t Is generally understood that
the commission will inquire into the
dividends paid by the stock yards COM
pany in recent years.
Dividends" "Quite Satisfactory"
In testimony before the commission
at the recent hearing of the connect
ing railway case. witnesses testified
NHA0L ultIocHOS nave OSGn 0Ulte SAt1a-
factory" from the viewpoint of, the
stock yards operators. So, If the divi-
dends have been quite satisfactory
to the stock yards company, it is
urged that these same dividends
would look doubly satisfactory If re-
ported In court In comparison with
investments operating expense and
future possibilities
The question OF dividends will also open
the question Of building the new connect
ing railway. The stock yards company
declared that the new service was needed
for the convenience of the stock shippers.
There was general agreement on this
way officials. for once. concurred with
the stock yard operators. II 1t is found
by the utilities commission that dividends
have been quite satisfactory" +hen the
commission under claim Of proper juris-
diction can order the building of the ex-
tensions and order that they be built and
maintained by the stock yards company
at it's own expense.
Tho Question Of Rates.
Affecting the question of rates charged
to Kansas shippers. the commission has
summoned representatives Of number
Of railroads entering Kansas city and
these men VIII testify as to freight rates
ON live stock and rates to shippers for
stock yards privileges. In discu1sing this
same subject ut former hearing before
shippers passed resolutions IN which they
declared that they could rent q room with
bath, electric lights telephone brass bed
and carpets ut q modern uptown hotel for
less money-baSed ON floor space-than
was paid the stock yards company for