The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-12
Topekans Are Enthusiastic
Over Car Conference Results.
Railway Officials Say Co-opera'
ton VIII Solve Problem.
PROMPT LOADING 4 FEATURE
~AttentiOn Of World ON Kansas
General Manager Sweet.
No DiscOrdant Notes Heard by
Freight Agent K0Ontz.

The Topeka railroad men who at
tended the Wichita car conference
are greatly pleased with the result.
and express the opinion that with all
the interested parties in close CO.
neutrality-suspicious. millers. elevator
men, bankers and the transportation
companies-the Kansas wheat crop
can be moved to the markets in a
manner which will prevent a serious
blockade.
There were more than 800 men in
the conference, and not a discordant
note was heard" said J. r. Koontz.
general freight agent of the Santa Fe.
"A score Of speeches were made in
which everybody was urged to use his
best endeavor for prompt loading and
unloading. that the available railway
equipment may be used to the best
possible advantage"
General Manager A. e. Sweet Of the
Rock Island said that it was the most
remarkable convention he had ever at
tended. THE attention of the world" +"
he said. will be directed to the fact
that Kansas has such big wheat crop
that the most important industries of
the state had to meet to devise plans
for handling it,
Half a dozen railroads were repre-
seDted in the conference. Mr.. Sweet
looked after the Rock Islands case,
and Mr.. Koontx and General Manager
c. w. Kouns spoke for the Santa Fe.
The conference. by unanimous vote.
decided upon the following plan, and
committees will be appointed to work
out tho details:
Details of Plan.
Ito have the closest possible CO.
operation among producers, millers.
elevator men, bankers, railroads and
ship owners.
2-To facilitate prompt loading and
unloading by reducing to the minimum
the free time allowed on cars.
$40 discontinue the reconsign-
ment Of grain during the rush, except
when absolutely necessary.
ITO ascertain tn .estorage capac-
ity on farms. and tho views Of farm
ers who have bins regarding the ad-
stability of holding a part Of their
crop.
It was the sense of the conference
that concerted moement should be
started to build a number Of monster
storage elevators in Kansas, in order
that 1t shall not be necessary to dis
pose Of the states future yield of
wheat by rushing it to foreign coun-
tries. However, no definite action
was taken on the suggestion.
Strong FOnedgn Demand.
A hopeful feature Of the situation
is the strong demand for wheat by
foreign markets. Plans have been
made to rush the first consignments
OF wheat on board ships at Galveston
and other ports, and railroad and
grain men. believe that will go q long
way toward preventing a blockade
The opinion prevailed among those
at the Wichita meeting that the
Kansas wheat yield would be from
130,0OO,0OO to 16O,00O,OOO bushels,
while few Of the more enthusiastic
guessers pushed their figures near the
200 million mark Wheat cutting Is
in progress in twenty or more south
ern Kansas counties, and the harvest
travels northward at the rate of about
fourteen miles a day. There is q
lively scramble for harvest hands.
Besides the Topeka men mentioned,
there were in the Wichita conference:
J. A. Stewart. general passenger
agent of the Rock Island; j. F. jar
rell publicity agent of the Santa Fe;
j. III. McGoff, mechanical superinten-
dent Of the Santa Fe: John Kinkle,
]. A. Cable and A E. Helm Of the
state public utilities commission;
State Bank Commissioner Chas. M.
Sawyer. and w. w. Bowman of the
Gfafo Rankoros ouunoifinn