The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-06-24
Officials of Seven Roads in Con-
ference Today.
Kansas Wants Reduction OF
Freight Rates.
ENTERTAINED AT LUNCHEON
Prices Are 162 Per Cent Of
Normal, Says Governor. 81
Chairman Reed to Present Sta
tistics on Transportation.

Officials of seven Kansas railroads
are in Topeka today for a conferences
with Governor Allen regarding his
proposal for a voluntary reduction in
freight rates on wheat. Representa-
tives of the transportation lines were
entertained at luncheon at the present
executive mansion Eleventh and To-
peka avenue. Members of the public
utilities commission sat with the
governor and railroad officials at the
conference beginning this afternoon.
Recently Governor Allen sent tele-
grams to presidents of seven railroads
asking that they attend a conferences
to discuss wheat rates. Replies were
received from all of the railroads.
altho several of them stated presidents
of the roads would be unable to come
to Topeka for the discussion of the
freight rate problem. A number of
freight rate experts are here to par
ticipate in the discussion.
To Ask Lower Rates.
Governor Allen appealed for q
volunteer order lowering freight rates
on wheat to pre-war classifications-
He pointed out that farmers are
pre-war prices and should not be
asked to pay the advance in transport
tation costs. The present rates, he has
urged, will mean a hardship in move
ment of the grain and in many in
stances will cause growers to absorb
| a loss.
| The present freight rates, railroad
officials have pointed out in kilograms
to the governor, were fixed by the
Interstate commerce commission and
the state public utilities commission.
Any relief, they are expected to urge,
should come in orders from these
| bodies. In the recent livestock rate
/, hearing 1t was also asserted that a
concession to one class of shippers
during the present market decline
would justify equal concessions to
shippers of other commodities affect
4 ed by markets.
Governor Allen Returns Here
| Governor Allen returned to Topeka
| today from his home in Wichita
| where he spent a couple of days. He
arranged his morning work to give
over the afternoon to the conference.
| Clyde M. Reed, chairman of the
public utilities commission, prepared
to present wheat and Transportation
statistics in possession of his depart-
ment at the afternoon conference. 1t
is probable that the entire discussion
| VIII be at the governors home.
| Many Officials Here.
Representatives of the Santa Fc
system, Union Pacific, Rock Island.
Missouri Pacific, Missouri. Kansas e
Texas, Frisco, and Burlington roads
VIII participate in the conferences
Several days ago President Storey ~
the Santa Fe notified Governor Allen
| that he would come to Topeka for the
meeting.
Prices Are Compared,
Comparative prices were presented
to railroad heads this afternoon as ar.
gument for lower wheat rates. 1t was
urged that the farmer has been COM
PEELED to absorb losses while general
prices have not declined accordingly.
All prices are at this time 1872 per
cent normal on the basis of 1913 fla
ures, the governor declared. He said
that farm products, however are hfff
125 per cent, while freight rates are
6S5 per cent. Food costs were given
at 100 per cent on the basis OF 1919
prices, clothing was quoted at 1872
5nel aae ana light at 207. metal products
hoid furnishings 275 per cent.
Higher Than in East.
Governor Allen also urged that rates
IN the middle west are higher than in
the eastern districts. He further
argued that reasonable concessions
should be made to the farmers in view
OF a generally accepted theory that
lower rates are in prospect for next
fall and winter. The Kansas farmers
need relief now, he urged.
Railroad officials attending the COM
ference, according to, announcements
by Governor Allen this afternoon in
clude: w. B. Storey, Chicago, presi-
dent Santa Fe System; ]. N. Kurn, ST.
Louis, president Frisco; A.. Hetton,
st. Louis, traffic manager Frisco;
George T. Atkins. st. Louis, general
traffic manager M. K. &c T.; Fred w.
4 Robertson, Omaha, freight traffic
manager Union Pacific; c. v. john
son, Chicago, vice president Rock IS.
land; H. n. Holcomb, Chicago, freight
traffic manager Burlington: J. A.
Hanback,. ST. Louis, freight traffic
manager Missouri Pacific.