The Topeka state journal., 1919-11-04
HINES In ANSWER
Rail Director Declares Aliens
Car Assertion Untrue.
Official Figures and Governors
Fail To Agree.

Allegations of discrimination by the
rail administration in favor of north
western shippers against southwest
ern shippers, particularly Kansas, are
contrary to facts. Walker D. Hines.
rail director, declared in a telegram
sent to Gov. Henry J. Allen. Hines
said he hoped there would be no
more of these charges from public Of
ficials holding responsible positions.
The telegram follows:
"Your telegram October 25th received.
Referring first to relative loading in Cen
tral, Western and Southwestern Regions
furnish fair comparison of relative loading
in these regions. From July LIST to October
18th, the railroads transported from Kan
sas farms q, 1,6S2, 600 busnels OF wheat; from
Oklahoma farms "a. Ill 600 bushels; from
Texas farms 21 ABS, 600 bushels as compared
with 11,S9S000 bushels from Minnesota
farms: 269T2,000 bushels from North Da-
kota farms; and 15,120,000 bushels from
South Dakota farms. Wheat transported
from Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas farms
was 73.S41 900 bushels in excess of entire
movement from Minnesota, North Dakota
and South Dakota combined, being more
than twice entire movement from these
three northwestern states. During same
period wheat transported from Kansas
entire amount transported from Minnesota,
North Dakota and South Dakota. During
same period 62 per cent of entire wheat
crop was transported from states of Kan
sas, Oklahoma and Texas as against only
sos per cent from Minnesota, North Da-
kota and South Dakota.
Allegations Untrue.
ALLEGATIONS of discrimination by rail-
road administration in favor of northwest
against southwest and particularly Kansas,
are contrary to facts and 1t is hoped that
! there will be no more of these charges
| from public officials holding responsible
"Referring to your next statement that
| daily market reports continue to show that
grain receipts at northwestern terminals
are, greater than at Kansas City. st. Louis
| and Chicago, combined, thus showing i'm
proper distribution of cars. Facts are that
| from October list to 29th, grain receipts
at Chicago. st; Louis and Kansas. City
amounted to 22996 carloads as against only
20,9S5 at Minneapolis and Duluth. Also
you have omitted Omaha, st. Joe and other
central western terminals. Also you have
Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma to Mime
| apolis. relieving producing sections Also
| carrier in season when nearly all grain ears
| were used for loading in Kansas and other
southwestern states.
miilers cannot ship flour while Minneapolis
mills are guaranteeing prompt deliveries
there were only a few mills closed in
Kansas, while during last week no load
| ing of box cars with either grain or flour
was permitted for two days at Twin Cities.
Figures Vary Widely.
referring your statement that there
are now in Kansas warehouses more than
| one million barrels flour sold but which
|
| States grain corporation show that on
October 1Ith, there were only three hun
| dred thousand barrels Of flour and food
products in stock ut Kansas mills.
| referring your statement as to capacity
| Kansas mills: Records of United States
grain corporation show a present daily
grinding of somewhat less than three hun
dred thousand bushels.
| referring your statement concerning
car shortage for cement and other indus
| tries in Kansas: Shortage in Kansas is nc
greater relatively than in other states. Sup
ply of preferential cars for loading grain
grain products and sugar in Kansas and
elsewhere has necessarily diminished avail
able supply for other commodities.
Your suggestion that Kansas situation
| Is not understood by railroad admin stra-
tion is without foundation in fact Situa-
tiOl is fully understood and Kansas will
continue 20 receive just and impartial
treatment.
Improvement In Prospect.
"Referring instructions issued result Of
Chicago conference: You will understand
that it takes a little time to make sucl
instructions fully effective All available
cars suitable for grain, grain products ant
sugar are now being so applied and region
al directors advise that with movement Of
| empties now tided west prospects art
favorable for progressive Improvement IL
| Kansas loading. As advised in my tele
gram of October 18th to you. individual
instances requiring relief should be drawn
TO attention of superintendent of trans