The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-07-23
Kansas Far Behind on Move
ment of Wheat Crop.
Governor Presents Serious Sit
uatiOn to the /. C. C.
MUST HAVE MORE CARS
Only 9,766 of 10000 Allotted to
State Received.
Allen Says Roads Must Handle
16O,OOO,OOO Bushels.

Unless present transportation facili-
ties are improved and more cars pro-
vided, railroads will require two years
for the removal of the Kansas wheat
crop. That is the situation before the
wheat growers as presented today by
Governor Allen in a telegram to E. E
Clark. chairman of the interstate
commerce commission.
OF the $4,000 to 10000 box cars al
lotted to Kansas by the federal COM
mission. only 9,766 had been received
July 13. according to information in
possession of the governor. Not all
of these cars were used by Kansas
shippers. Grain movement at this
time is so per cent below that of
1919, the telegram states, and because
of car shortages, twelve TO fifteen mill
lion bushels of wheat were in hands
of growers when the new harvest be-
gan The governor stated that 160
million bushels of wheat must be han
died by the railroads and he calls
upon the interstate commerce COM
mission to take immediate action in
providing necessary cars.
Heavy losses and disaster in many
communities have been threatened be-
cause of slow movement of grain, Gov
ernor Allen asserts. In his appeal for
Ils
governor said;
Because of the seriousness of the situa-
tion which tonfronts the wheat farmers
and grain interests of Kansas 1 feel that
l would be remiss if 1 did not lay before
you the full situation regards made
quate transportation for this state The
wheat crop of 1919 amounted to 10000 900
bushels Because Of inability of the rail
roads to move this crop. something like
twelve to fifteen million bushels of the old
crop were left on hand in Kansas when
the old crop plus 14T,OOO,OO0 buhels
grown this year. amounts TO practically
l60oOO,0OO bushels. for which transporta-
Unsatisfactory as was the movement of
grain out Of the state last year, the pres
ent movement is more than go per cent be
low that of the corresponding period a
year ago. At the present rate of move
ment 1t would require more than two years
10 move the present wheat supply to mills
and elevators
The effect of this situation is gravely to
add heavy burden 10 the financial in
terests which must carry the unmarketed
! crop 1t Is adding very greatly to the
expense which the farmer must bear in the
handling of his wheat in the payment of
interest charges and in the waste Incident
| to prolonged storage.
| 1 respectfully invite your attention TO
the fact that out of the twenty-five or thir-
! ~ thousand cars which the press reports
indicate have been ordered to the relief of
western and southwestern railroads. only
! 9.I6G had reached on July II, the railroads
serving this. section and of course all of
/ these were not placed in service in this
state. The entire quota of $4,000 or more
cars which have been ordered by the com
mission to the relief Of this section yvouId
be barely adequate for Kansas alone even
/ II these orders were promptly and COM
pIetely carried out. Under the present rate
OF fulfillment the delay Is bound TO cause
1 disaster to all the important interests af-
feeted by this great grain growing section.
| cannot too strongly urge upon you the
/ great necessity for the most prompt action
/ possible on the part of your Commission