The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-25
ASK LOWER RATES
Kansas StOckmen Tell Troubles
to Utilities Commission.
Effort Made to Set Aside 80 Per
Cent Increase.
.AFFECTS ALL SECTIONS STATE
Issues Similar to General
Freight Rate Controversy.
Railroads Claim Charges Are
Low Enough Now.
AFFECTS ALL SECTIONS STATE

Kansas stockmen are in Topeka to-
day to attend the freight rate hearing
before the public utilities commission
Ia case brought in an effort to set
aside the 80 per cent increase in intra-
state rates on livestock. The action
affects shippers and feeders in every
section of the state and involves the
ruling OF the former industrial court
which allowed a 80 per cent advance
IN freight rates.
Since the order was issued by the
state commission last fall the inter-
state commerce commission has re-
viewed an appeal from the Kan5as de-
cision and ordered the entire federal
commission rate schedule established
in Kansas. The livestock rate case
was pending at the time of this deci-
sion and the hearing began this morn
ing in the tate house.
Many Prominent shippers Here.
There will be little immediate eff
feet from today's hearing, apparently.
When the case was called representa-
tives OF transportation companies OBJ
Jected to holding of hearing in view
OF the recent order of the interstate
commerce commission. Members of
the commission. however, stated that
a record should be made at this time
with a view of final determination in
event the federal commissions order
Should be set aside or modified.
= Following the statement from COM
mission members attorneys for the
railroads announced they would estab-
iisE in this state any rate which
the Interstate commerce commission
might order affecting interstate ship
ments of livestock. The case pro-
ceeded on this theory of ultimate ac-
tion. Prominent among shippers at
tending the hearing are: John A. Ed
wards, Eureka president Kansas Live
stock association; NJ. C. Campbell,
Wichita: ]. R. Plumb, Emporia, and
W. J. Tod, Maple Hill.
Issues in the Case.
Issues involved in the livestock case
are similar to questions raised in the
general freight rate controversy.
Shippers contended before the COM
mission today that the interstate coma
merce commission could not invade
the rights of the state to fix their
own rates Representative of the
transportation companies argue that
afower intrastate rate would est blish
a discrimination against Interstate
shippers which would be removed by
court orders.
HeavyAosses by stockmen were also
mentions1 today as reason for re-
diced cattle rates. Market quota
tiona- were cited and the commission
attention was directed to heavy losses
sustained by livestock dealers.
Shippers pointed out that freight
cent since the beginning of the war.
1t was also shown that cattle prices
are lower than at any time in ten
years.
Rates Are Low Now, 1t Is Said.
Attorneys for the railroads expected
TO offer testimony to the effect that
rates on livestock are now as low as
may be granted IN view of general
transportation costs. Discriminati ton
against other commodities and classes
of freight would be created thru a re-
duction in one, railroad officials as
sert. They also expected to bring be-
fore the commission their need of adj
ditional revenue to meet heavy operat-
ing expenses.
IT is probable tn the railroads will
offer testimony showing community
demands for freight reductions. In
this connection they may show condi-
lions affecting the cotton, wool and
various grain growers. Conditions
among cattle growers in Kansas, they
contend, are similar to those facing
the southern cotton growers and west
ern wool producers.
The present hearing may have a
tendency to cause a review of the gem
erat railroad rate case as presented in
Topeka last fall. Attitude of the Kan
sas commission in view of the recent
order of the interstate commerce COM
mission will be closely observed by
shippers and railroad representatives.