The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-20

general. 1OO,000 cars, but 1urlng the
same period there were retired. owing
to depreciation. $4,000 cars. a net gain
to the countrys freight equipment of
only 5000 cars. with an increase in the
country's production offered for trans
portation var:ously estimated at from
25 to so per cent"
Smith on Old Days
Judge Smith. who lived in Kansas
before any part of the Santa Fe rail-
road was built, told of the old days
when all the country from Reno
was called the Great American
Desert" He told how the Santa Fe
was built to Hutchinson in 1871 and
how the FIRE ght rates between that
town and Emporia were reduced from
$3.50 hundred to 20 cents a hundred
from Kansas City with the advent OF
the railroad.
THE extensive advertising the Santa
Fe did in the early days" said Judge
Smith, brought thousands of settlers
into this section of the country and
contributed in a large degree to the
founding of great civilization"
He said the road is met with a
persistent demand for local improve
ments and that an effort is always
made to impose the expense on the
railroad. which ought not to be, in
justice and equity Taxes assessed
against the Santa Fe in Kansas for
state, county, school and other pur-
poses in 1919 amounted to S2,137,00O,
he said. The total taxes paid by ali
ed to 100000
No Disturbance In Change.
E. L. Copeland called attention to
the fact that the railroad had gone
from government to private opera :
ton without disturbing the country s
business interests. He congratulated
the railroad administration for its
ability and foresight in making the
plans for safe transfer. He men
toned the plans of Swager Sherley,
director of finance and G. H. Parker,
the comptroller, which provide for
prompt settlement of outstanding &C
counts with federal funds and the
payment of operating liabilities out of
federal receipts.
Speaking of the new railroad law,
Copeland said it was a step in the
right direction; that it Contained
many good points and that it would
silence the economist and politician
stock hobby for twenty-five years.
More Claims on Hand.
H. c. Pribble, general claim agent
said there are more claims on the
hands of the road now than before
the period of federal control, but that
by 100 per cent team work they can
all be Slaughtered out and cared for
E. j. Shakeshaft, assistant general
passenger agent, also gave a talk in
which he presented some interesting
data concerning the passenger service
of the road.
The officials present at the banquet
were: R. J.. Parker, Amarillo, gen
eral manager; J. R. Koontz, Topeka
assistant freight traffic manager; E.
l. Copeland, Topeka, secretary and
treasurer; Judge w. r. Smith, Topeka
solicitor; F. M. Bisbee, Topeka, chief
engineer: H. c. Pribble, Topeka, gen.
eral claim agent; R. L. Harris. To-
peka, auditor of Disbursements; R. G
Merrick, Topeka, general freight
agent; T. H Sears, Amarillo. general
superintendent: c. H. Bristol. La
Junta, general superintendent; z. j
Shakeshaft, Topeka, assistant general
passenger agent; ]. C. Burnett. To-
peka, assistant general freight agents
]. F. farrell, Topeka. editor THE
Earth" A. Ewing, Dodge City, super
intendent; H. A. Tice. Pueblo. super.
intendent; H. r. Lake, Wellington
uperintendent, and c. A. Walker
Hutchinson division freight agent