The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-10
TRY TO FIX RATES
Utilities Commission Tackles
Troubles Kansas JObbers.
Demands for Freight Rate Pro-
lection for Business.
PURSUE POLICY OTHER STATES
Witnesses Say Existing Theory
Rates Out Of Date.
JObbing Centers Show Big In
creases in Business.
PURSUE POLICY OTHER STATES

That it is the duty of the Kansas
utilities commission to so build up
freight rate defenses for Kansas 1oD-
bling towns as to absolutely prevent
competition from points outside the
boundaries<of the state, was the atti-
tude of Kansas jobbers in such points
as wichita, Hutchinson and Sahna.
indicated by the testimony OF J. e
Petro of the Guyman-Petro Mercan-
tile company of Hutchinson at the
hearing before the commission this
morning.
"Other states have developed strong
trade centers by establishing rate reg
ulations which favor their own cities
as against the cities Of adjoining
states" he declared. The situation
in Kansas presents the reverse. for
now the jobber in the interior town
can only hope to develop to a point
where he supplies the area over
which he has the geographical control
and within which his facilities Tor
quick service and knowledge of weak
credits give him command When ne
has filed that field he must stop Inc
jobber to the eastward holds the
command around him with more IA
vorable jobbing rates.
Today the utilities commission is
irving to get evidence as to whether
competition exists between the inter-
ior state jobbing towns. including
those mentioned above, and Missouri
river points such as Kansas City and
St. Joseph. The inclination of wit
nesses to air their knowledge Of what
they regard as discriminatory rates
has impeded the commissions prog
ress Chairman c. F. Foley of the
commission repeatedly admonished
witnesses and attorneys to confine ex-
aminations to the point in hand The
commission has already taken much
testimony in regard to existing rates
Frank c. Wood of the fleetwood
Wholesale company of Wichita told the
commission that the solicitation OF
business in southwestern Kansas by
Kansas City travelling men in the groc-
cry line is going on today much as 1t
has for the past thirty-ftve years In
supplying the financially stronger re-
tail businesses the Kansas City jobbers.
he stated, maintained an advantage in
a cheaper combined jobbing and local
rate than that commanded by the in
terror jobber. The only advantage in
the hands of the interior wholesale
dealer lay in his ability to give quicker
service for which the smaller retailers
were usually willing to pay a price
higher than that demanded by the
more distant jobber. Special local
knowledge Of credits enabled the job
Der on the ground to deal with small
merchants not recognized Dy cOmpeti-
tors at a distance. he said
The wholesale jobbing trade done by
three Kansas towns-Salina. Hutchin-
son and Wichita-has grown from 81
| 0O0, 600 a year to $50. eco in the twen-
ty-five years or SO since the present
general basis of freight rates to Kan
sas was established. said Mr. Wood In
that period Kansas has made its prin-
| ciral growth in population and produc-
! tivity. He held the position that the
existing theory of Jobbers' rates is out
worn and should be replaced by a new
schedule Of basic rates adapted TO pres
ent day conditions.
| Representatives of wholesale bust
nesses In St Joseph. headed by H. ].
Krake. and others from Kansas City.
| Mo-, with Traffic Manager Sangster OF
the Kansas City Traffic association as
| their spokesman. have arrived for to-
days hearing and Will take part in II
this afternoon