Omaha daily bee., 1916-02-27
BATTLE FOR EVEN
RATES GOES AHEAD
Omaha Still Fighting to Be Put on
Fair Footing with Kansas
City Market.
SOME SAMPLES OF INJUSTICE

vast amount has been done since the
Omaha Grain exchange was organised
20 get equitable and just grain rates
for Omaha. Up to the highest tribunal
the alert agents Of the exchange have
carried various fights. But the whole
work has not been completed yet
At the present time the exchange is
working TO secure better rates from
Omaha to oklahoma. Arkansas and Texas
points
Kansas City still has a vast advantage
over Omaha ip the freight rates leading
into the field OF consumption.
Discrimination IL GlRrinE.
That there is vast discrimination
againts Omaha and in favor Of Kansas
city in the matter of these rates will he
charged in the brief. II will be shown
that Omaha is handicapped in its effort
20 reach this southern territory. while
Kansas City is favored In its efforts to
reach the Minneapolis mills through
Omaha
Here are the facts: Omaha pays 5
cents more to reach Oklahoma, Arkansas
and Texas than Kansas City does. while
Kansas City pays only 1 cent more to
reach Minneapolis mills than Omaha
does.
This condition, the grain men here con-
tend is an unjustlflable case of discrim-
inAtion, and they want It rectified
There is a vast demand in Oklahoma,
Arkansas and. Texas for Omaha and
Kansas City grain, especially what is
known as the rough grain, or corn ana
oats for feeding purposes.
Naturally the grain men in both these
1ro4e tha business.
In 1872 1913 and 1914 IS per cent Of the
corn ana oats that reached Omaha was
shipped TO these three southern states,
according to Traffic Manager Smith of
the Grain Exchange. The next year a
better orop was raised in the south and
less was needed from this section, out
chase figures are given merely to show
the demand for our grain in that sec
tion.
where Omaha Suffers
UhiIe this grain rate to the south Is
ono of the big determinations, the Ex-
chonga will seek to have adjusted before
the Interstate Commerce commission 1t Is
/, bv no means the only discrepancy tha'
moods attention. Rates in favor OF Kansas
C,itv and against Omaha are so gross ano
so extensive that the whole trouble car
b,, No means be ironed out in single
ny uo AhNosi'S
case.
''If we could ever be given the same
vate per ton mile as Kansas CltS
enjoys" says Mr.. Smith. Ninety pei
cent Of our rates would be reduced we
have been fighting and fighting to ge'
some of these points adjusted. but tht
whole rate schedule Of the southern par
Of our state is still a constant sourc'
of irritation"
some Nebraska Cases.
Soroa conspicuous cases may be cited
,n tho rate over the Burlington from
towns in the southern part of the state
F,ror, Wymore to Omaha, for example
ia a distance of 11e miles. From Wymore
10 Kansas City the distance Is ls4 mhes
Yet the rate is the same. From Falr-
bury 10 Omaha the distance Is nb miles
20 Kansas City, 217 miles. yet the rate
is the same. From Hebron to Omaha
14s miles: to Kansas City. 25S miles; YET
Che rate Is the same. From Shickley &c
Omaha the distance is 132 miles; to Kan
sas city, 24O miles, with the same rate
From Red Cloud to Omaha Is 1872 miles
20 Kansas City, ga miles. with the rate
the same. From Alma to Omaha is 2E'
miles; to Kansas City. 81 miles, with the
rate the same.
Prior to the fight before the Interstate
Commerce commission, which resulted ir
a little readjustment in December, 1913
some stin more giaItng discrepancies
were in effect
Rates that Look Funny.
Grain rates from Auburn to Omaha 9
distance of ninety-six miles. were 90
= ce. ASywhile the rate to Kansas City. the
greater distance of LIS miles, was only
S.35 cents. Thus while the distance wal
almost one-half greater to Kansas City