The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-18
Governor and w. L. Higgins
Decided on Action Today.
Discrimination in Favor OF
Other States Is Charged.
SANTA FE ORDER CAUSES STIR
Station Agents Forbidden To
Release Empty Cars.
One Town Has Had Only Nine
Cars for Wheat Hauling.

The state this afternoon launched
an investigation of the car shortage.
Announcement of an investig CATION was
made following a conference between
Governor Alien and w. L. Huggins, OF
the public utilities commission. In
formation will probably be sought inn
mediately concerning reports that car
demands in Kansas are being ignored
in an effort to meet demands in north
western states
Unusual concern was shown in the
state house today when IL became
known that orders had been issued to
station agents along the southern
Kansas branch of the Santa Fe deny
ing them the right to release empty
box cars. The order which was
signed by G. G. Derby, freight super
intendent at Chanute, directed move
ment of cars to Emporia and Chanute
as soon as empty. 1t was later ex-
planned from the Santa Fe offices that
the order was issued in order TO in
sure a more equal distribution OF
transportation facilities.
Other States Favored?
That Kansas wheat growers have
been held up because OF the movement
of empty box cars TO the Dakotas and
to Minnesota and other wheat grow
ing states. reached state house circles
| today. The information is to be in
vestigated by the state. II necessary
the matter will be presented to the
| federal railroad administration in or
der to secure an equal distribution OF
1 cars for shipment of grain.
| other reports of discrimination have
! been received by members of the pub
| lie utilities commission. These are
now being investigated. They were,
discussed at the conference which,
Commissioner Higgins held with Gov
ernor Allen this afternoon.
| 1--WE have received reports of dis
criElination in the distribution of cars"
Governor Allen stated. but have not
gone into the matter sufficiently to de-
lteFmife the exact facts. The matter
lwiil be fully Investigated with view
of wiping out any discrimination.
There is no question but that the car
shortage is mighty serious in Kansas.
We have received many complaints
and thousands of bushels of wheat are
lying on the ground because farmers
and elevator men cannot get cars"
Cedar Bluffs in Complaint.
One telegram to Governor Allen to-
day was from the little town of Cedar
| Bluffs. Decatur county. The town IS
in the heart of the northwest wheat
belt. 1t stated that shippers at that
point had received but nine cars the
present season. Thousands of bushels
of wheat have been piled on the
ground awaiting removal of the grain
to market centers Almost similar
conditions are said to exist in many
other communities.
State officials were startled today
when they received a copy of the
Derby order regarding reloading OF
box cars. Later the order was ex-
planned by Santa Fe officials as an ef-
fort to equalize the distribution of cars
by removing the service from author
ity of local agents. The Derby order
was directed TO all station agents on
the Southern Kansas branch of the
Santa Fe. 1t follows:
The Derby Order.
Effective at once and until further
advise, discontinue loading box cars with
any commodities whatever without first
| securing authority from my office for
| using such cars. In this connection until
| further advised, agents from Dalton to
| Moline, both inclusive. and agents on
! Howard branch, will send 10 Emporia all
box cars made empty to their stations I;
| and all agents from Rest to Madison viii
also send their empty box cars to En-
porin. Agents on balance Of division send
] their empty box cars TO Chanute.
1 90. g. DERBY, Superintendent"