The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-18
KANSAS wheat.
Santa Fe Officials Spent q Week
Out in the Fields.
They Expect = Record Crop
This Year,

General freight agent y. II. AOOutz
and other officials of the Santa Fe
Railway have returned from an in
spection and get-acquainted trip over
the company's lines in central Kansas.
from Anthony to Superior, Neb.. which
is just over the Kansas north border.
I'VE had busy week. Mr.. Kouns
said. In order that officials may
know all about the railroad. they must
go over it frequently. not ride over 1t.
but walk over 1t; examine the ballast
and the rails and the ties; climb over
and under the bridges; dig into river
and creek banks; travel through miles
of yards; investigate the water supply;
inspect the depots, shops and ware
houses, and do countless other strenu-
Gus things. That is one feature OF the
work. While operating men are fnves-
tigating the physical condition OF the
property. Mr.. KoOntz, Mr.. Connell and
other traffic representatives meet our
patrons; inquire into business condi-
tons; ascertain how the railroad can
aid in the Development OF the country's
resources, and adjust differences. when
there are any differences, all with the
view Of maintaining the efficiency OF
our service. We are out more than half
the time on these trips, and we espe-
cially enjoy that part of it which brings
US into contact with our patrons"
General Freight Agent Koontx, who
has been making an exhaustive in
Quiry into the crop situation. expressed
himself as greatly pleased with the
prospects for a heavy wheat yield.
1.-The condition is as nearly ideal as 1t
is possible to have it, and believe the
Kansas yield will be the heaviest in the
states history" he said.
How many bushels?" a reporter for
the State Journal asked.
-
more than 100, 000, 900 bushels" was the
reply.
The special train on which the Of
f1cials travelled stopped several times on
the Strong City-Superior branch to en-
able the investigators to examine wheat
fields.
1--WE did not see a single field of
poor wheat, although we occasionally
ran into a locality where rain is
needed" said Mr.. Koontz. I'm every
county on our trip we made side ex-
cursions by automobile, and do not
hesitate to say that the condition is
the best I have ever seen in the mid
die OF May"
Speaking Of travel prospects, Cen
eral Passenger Agent Connell said
that the passenger traffic to Califor-
mia on account of the San Francisco
and San Diego expeditions would have
to be handled after q plan different
from that which heretofore had been
used. Many lodges. schools. churches,
commercial clubs and other organiza-
tons in Kansas and elsewhere already
have arranged to visit California next
year in special trains, while hundreds
of families and small parties are plan
ming to go in special cars.
The new policy OF the Santa Fe to
assist township and municipal officers
with plans for the construction of
bridges, highways. public buildings.
etc, brought many inquiries on the
trip. and Chief Engineer r. A. Rut-
ledge was kept busy answering ques-
tons. The most inquiries were re-
garding bridge work, although one
delegation wanted to know. about
plans for a church and parsonage.
While the Santa Fe Is strong for
churches, 1t is not long on church
was referred to talent trained in that
line.
Geo-acquainted meetings were held
in several towns for the Santa Fe
men. at which considerable speechi-
flying was INDUCED in. On such &C.
casions. J. c. Burnett, assistant gen.
eral freight agent. looked after the
Santa Fe's end of the program. The
get-acQuainted campaign has made a
pleasing orator out OF Mr.. Burnett.
Colonel w. ]. Curtis, district passen-
ger agent. and E. C. Kitching, travel
speechmakers last week. H. b.
Lautz, assistant to the general man
ager, and ]. II. McGon. mechanical
superintendent. also were with the
party. General superintendent Ed
ward Raymond and Division Superin-
tendent H. W. Sharp Of Newton were
the Official escort.
While the perty was out, General
Manager Kouns formally took over
for the Santa Fe the line from Arkan-
sAs City to Anthony. formerly owned
by the Santa Fe and Frisco. but op-
Grated by . separate corporations.
The property win have to be inn
proved. but no details have been an
nOunced.
Mrs. Kouns accompanied her hus-
band on the trip Mr.. Kouns lately
had q siege of rheumatism. Recov-
ering. he set about to catch up with
his work. paying no .-ttentton to the