The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-20
ASKING
HIGHER
RATES
Railroads of Kansas Want
Three Cents a Mile.
File Petition With Utilities
Commission Today.
OPERATING At A LOSS HERE
Carriers Say Passenger Busi-
ness Is Improbable.
Request Restoration OF Old
Rates in Effect 1907.
THEIR HIGH COST OF LIVING
Declare Everything Has Gone
Up but Transportation.
UNIQUE Argument Placed Be-
fore People Of Kansas.
PRODUCE FIGURES As PROOF
Declare Everything Has Gone
Up but Transportation.
Unique Argument Placed Be-
fore People Of Kansas.
PRODUCE FIGURES AS PROOF
Many Trains Do Not Pay
Mere Operating Cost.
Opening of Fight on 2-Cent
Law in State.

Applications of. all railroads
doing business in Kansas, were
filed today with the public utili-
ties commission asking the res
toration of the three cent pas
senger rate in effect before the
1907 agreement when the rail-
roads granted a two cent rate
pending final decision in the Ne
braska case. Citations by the
railroads are to the effect that
all roads in Kansas have been
operating at a loss under the two
cent rate agreement. An imme-
diate hearing on the application
for increased rates will be
sought. but it is doubtful if the
case is heard until the new COM
mission is appointed in January.
Similar to Missouri.
The application in Kansas is similar
to the request recently made to the
Missouri commission. except that the
Missouri petition urges an increase in
both passenger and freight rates. The
Kansas case concerns only an increase
IN passenger rates and upon the appli-
cation on file. the commission may
grant full return to the cent fare,
or Il partial increase in rates. Rail-
roads affected by the Kansas rate are:
Santa Fe. Missouri. Kansas & Texas,
Chicago. Burlington & Quincy, ST.
Joseph & Grand Island. Kansas City
Southern. Midland Valley, the Kansas
City & Orient lines, Missouri Pacific,
Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific, Union
Pacific. ST. Louis & San Francisco,
G. aGo
western.
Increase in Expenses.
1t is asserted in the petition filed by
the several railroads that the operating
expenses of the roads have increased
greatly since the cent passenger rate
was agreed upon and that it is impOS-
slble to maintain first class service and
show a balance on the dividend side of
the ledger. Just as the high cost of
living has come to confront the wage
Garner. so the increased cost of equip
ment has come to worry the railroads.
the petition declares
End of Their String.
There is an apparent willingness on
the part of the railroads to confess to
the public that they are at one end or
the other of tl.eir string-and the pub
he, through the utilities commission, is
asked to decide which end it shall be-
1t is contended that to operate trains
in Kansas in conformity with orders of
the utilities commission. more money
must be received from passenger fares
IL the railroads are to pay dividends
on their investments.
Demands of Public.
With the increased cost of operation
and increased wage scales the public
has demanded better and more expen-
sive passenger equipment. the petit
tfons recite-and there has been nc
compensation through increased earn
1ngs or increased rates.
The carriers cite these facts: That
Kansas has had a maximum cent
passenger fare law since 1888: that the
present cent fare in Kansas is ar
emergency rate and the result of ar
order promulgated by the board of rail.
Wav commissioners in 1907 for the pur.
pose of making Kansas rates uniform
with those of Nebraska the legislature
OF that state having enacted a CEN
law: that the KaEsas railroad boarf
stated in its order that upon the ter
mination of litigation involving tn,
Nebraska statute. the Kansas ordel
should cease and become OF no force a,
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