The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-10-13
CAR SHORTAGE
CAUSES WORRY
FOR BANKERS
Frantic Appeals for Aid Re-
ceived by F. HI. Foster.
If Farmers Could Get Cars
They Could Pay OF.
TO RELIEVE FROZEN CREDIT"
Three Banks Closed Due to In
ability to Secure Credit.
Kansas, Oklahoma and Ne
braska Greatest Sufferers.
Three Banks Closed Due to In
ability to Secure Credit.
Kansas, Oklahoma and Ne
braska Greatest Sufferers.

Car shortages are causing all man
ner of worry for farmers and bankers
in western counties, according to a
statement today by Frank H. Foster,
state bank commissioner. In the
meantime reports gathered by the
state public utilities commission show
that grain car movements for Sep
tember were but 9,1S2 cars as against
16,416 for the same month year ago.
Bankers are sending frantic appeals
to the state department asking for
relief in movement of grain. Comnis-
sior1er Foster stated. If the farmers
could get cars, he said, they would be
able to clean up large amount of
their paper and the banks could re-
duce their rediscounts. Three state
banks closed in the last ten days be-
cause Of inability to secure additional
credit.
Bankers Try To Get Grain Cars.
I'VE are getting scores of letters
from bankers all over the state plead
ing with US to try to do something to
aid in getting grain cars" Commis-
sioner Foster said. Some of the bank
will be able to pull thru unless there
is an improvement in the car situa-
ton"
If the Kansas grain could be moved
to markets much of the trouble thru
existing frozen credits would be re-
lieved and many banks now facing Sc
rious trouble could re-establish cred
its. While the grain car shortage was
not help directly responsible for closing
of any of the three banks which quit
business recently it was declared to
have at least been a large contributing
factor. At present the banking de-
partment is working with the utilities
mission in effort nrOUidQ
more grain cars
Kansas Greatest Sufferer.
Information gathered by Commits
sioner Foster during the meeting of
the American Bankers association in
New. Y York indicated that Kansas, Ok
lahoma and Nebraska are greatest suf-
ferers thru the present grain car
shortage. In spite of this situation,
tho. the Kansas banks generally are
in as good condition as those of other
states, the department head asserted
This is a mighty trying situation -
Foster said, land for some of the
banks it will be a long, hard, lean
pull But it will demonstrate the
strong foundation of the Kansas bank
ing system in the final test
Records made public today by the
public utilities commission showed
that all railroads in Kansas trans
ported fewer cars of grain in Septem-
last year. There was a slight increase,
tho,- in the movement of grain prod
ucts. The total for September, 1922,
showed 1888 cars as against SITS
cars for September, 1921.
Car Movements Slumped.
Total car movements for all COM
modities also slumped in September,
altho the eastern lines of the Santa Fe,
Union Pacific and the ST. Joseph &
Grand Island made gains. Grand to-
tails for September, 1922, were S3,174
cars as against S6,779 cars for the
same period last year. The eastern
division of the Santa Fe showed move
ment of 29,869 cars during the month
this year as against 26,75S for Sep
tember, 1921. The Grand Island
( handled 787 cars during the month
this year as against 504 cars for the
same month last year.
Union Pacific totals for September
this year were 1886 cars as against
1852 for the month in 1921.
The Rock Island showed the biggest
loss. In September, 1921. it handled
total of 1926 cars while this year
it's record for the month was 6,56l
cars