New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-19


CHARGES OF MR. RUsmNG-THER ARGUMENTS
YESTERDAY.
10y TELEGRAPH 10 THE TRiBUSE.l
WASHINGTON March 1s.-Mr Depew, attorney
for the New-York Central Railroad Company, j. Il.
butcher, its live stock superintendent, and Mr..
Blanchard vice-president of the Erie Railroad
Company, appeared before the House Committee
to-day, 10 answer the testimony previously given
In regard TO tie alleged ring of "eveners" for the
control of the shipment of live stock from Chicago
70 the East
Mr.. Depew introduced Mr.. r. c. Eastman. the
largest live stock dealer in the United States, who
testified that the assertions which have been made
in regard 10 cruelty 10 cattle IN transit are un-
true He said that il is not for the interest of ship
pers Of live stock to have bruised and everish meat
put upon the market. At the same time he admitted
that il often happens that two three out of hun
dred buliocks are bruised and unfit for ship
fnent TO Europe. In such cases these cattle
Ore sent to the Washington Market in New
York Mr.. Eastman protested against any
legislation requiring the of palace cattle cars,
which he said would be impracticabe. Mr.. East
man was one of the first to ship cattle to Europe,
and thinks be deserves great credit for bis enterprise
in having overcome the preudices OF English beef
eaters against the American meat. He asserts that
the result Of shipments 10 Europe is that the price
Of cattle in America has advance 81 per hundred
pounds.
Mr.. Depew made q general argument for the
railroad companies. He took the ground that such
thing as railroad monopoly 10 impossible that
the railroads are the creatures Of the State; and
that this has been proved by the Granger egisla-
ton. He then said that the guments TO which the
committee has listened have been first, against
cruelty to animals; and secondly. in favor of the
use of palace cattle cars. No cruelty he said, has
been proved Farmers and producers make no
complaint He admitted the existance of an
arrangement between the railroad companies and
the "eveneIs" but said that the combination is an
advantageous arrangement for all the Western ship
pers, and is especially valuable to the railroads.
II secures an equal distribution of cattle
transportation to all; it is simply con-
tract with certain gentlemen for the con-
troll of live stock freight; II one OF the trunk
roads ships certain number Of cars one day, the
other roads must have the same number the next.
This often results in loss TO the eveners" and the
business has been so Improbable that nine Out OF
The twelve original "eyeners" have retired Ihe
The "eveners" are required TO guarantee absolute
equality of freight TO the four trunk roads. IL oil
The shippers should agree 10 send by one road, the
"eveners would be obliged TO make 1t up to the
others
Mr. Depew denied that the stock yards are sources
Of great profit. The St. Louis stock yard, owned by
the eyeners ia, he said, a losing Investment; the
Chicago stock yard 10 paying one, but Is mostly
owned by Boston capitalists. He closed his speech
With a personal attack upon Mr.. Rushing. whose
kstimony. given last week, he was answe riDg
NJ blanchard. viee-presdent OF the Erie Road