The New York herald., 1879-09-30
The Legislative Committee investigating The
Buffalo Steamship Feeders
SOLOMON S. GUTHRTE's STATEMENTS
Plenty OF Money Made Out OF
the Lake Traffic.
A DIRECTORS POOR MEMORY

The Sub Committee on Railway Investigation met
this morning and Counsel Ianing said to the commit
tee that if they going into the discussion of the
Bennett charges he would say that it would take a
very long time take the testimony. and ho had
very important to try he would like to have
subcommittee appointed to take this testimony.
The chairman said the purpose of the committee
simply to allow tho gentleman to exhibit maps
and explain the matter. and that would take about
ten minutes
Mr.. Loring said that this matter is purely local
matter concerning the city of Buffalo and thoy can
apply to the Legislature for redress If they want it,
Mr.. Sterne-Another railroad can't take what you
have taken.
Mr.. Laning said the laws arranged that.
After counsel had argued the question d. 8. Ben
nett was sworn. he said:-I reside in Buffalo; am
in the produce business; tho effect Of the
law OF 1854 is that 1t prevents all tho railroads
except the New York Central road from reaching
the harbor and terminal facilities of the city.
Maps were exhibited showing the strip of land that
the New York Central Railroad had acquired by an
amendment TO the Laws of 1854 and passed June 30.
1872 Chapter GAL. section 4. amended fol-
lows:-
Exccp that lying and situate between Exchange street
and the Main and Hamburg street Canal.
This property the Now York Central Railroad has
purchased. or is about to purchase; it is about a
quarter of mile in length and about three hum
dred feet in width; the property that is exempt
by the laws of 1885, rs amended 1854 extends from
the harbor for about three miles through the CEN
trail portion of the city and about quarter of mile
wide; railroad company can cross this strip ex-
cept the New York Centra 1t will be very important
to tho commerce of Buffalo and the State to havo
free to the harbor. which is now withheld
from railroads passing through the city.
Daniel O'Day was summoned to appear before the
committee. but did not appear, and Messrs. Laning
and Shipman said that he was under an Indictment
NJ moth Sfafp md W II Al Cn fO mt
him ON tha stand.
Mr.. sterne said that the testimony taken hero
could not have any effect on the Indictment of the
State Of Pennsylvania.
The chairman directed that it be entered on tho
minutes.
SOLOMON s. GUTHRIE TEsTIFIEs.
Solomon 3. Guthrie, of Buffalo, was examined by
Mr.. Sterne, foows:-I am one OF the directors Of
the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railway Oom-
pany; also of tho Union Steamboat Com
pany; do not know when it organizcd
l became member Of it in 1876; am q
stockholder share; the Erie company
nearly all tho rost am the president; there is
secretary and treasurer; there is board of diroc-
tors; their names Mcssrs. Jewett, Bullard.
Bowen and myself; don't know that we have con-
tract with the Erie company; have not seen one
interrupted by Judge Shipmar. who said that he
would furnish tho contract to the committee If he
could.
Examination resumed-I can't toll who has tho
contrat; got salary OF 1,s0o year; know that
the company is doing good business; know it
OF it: it is in New York; can't tell whether
it has ever paid dividend; can't tell
how much money it has made; two vessels
were bought in 1873; they cost s5o.ooo which camo
out OF the treasury; don't own any docks; own only
the o % Vessels T we bonght were sailing Aves ves
sells; can't tell the cost Of the vessels; think
that the feet is worth about-wcll. it
will take some time to estimate; have seven-
teen propellers and two sailing vessels; saw re-
port Of the cost year ago; know that the report
wcre; Mr.. Bullard had the management of tho
report; know that it was correct when saw III
there arc no a, other persons who M carry through
company; am president OF the Union Dry Dock
Company get $1,000 year salary the stock of the
lated by marriage to President Jcwett; am his
brotherin-law: Mr.. Macdonough is tho secrc-
and ,oh mr. tho tho prs pas tho
pany is S250.00o; of tho Union steam-
directors Messrs. Jewett Bullard. Taylor and
myself; it has never paid any dividends wo havo
shops at cost of 81 900 since have boon connected
with it, the value OF the property OF the company is
at least $4,000; don't know how much Of tho
O. Has the Union Steamboat Company any ar
rangement with the New York Central road for
carrying freight? A. Not that know Of; am not
advised OF any contract existing between the CON-
pany and the New York Central road; don't know
what we charge for through freight; the Union
Steamboat Company has agents in Milwaukee aud
Chicago
tho lakes for the last two has decreasod we
have never pSid dividend on our stock to my
knowedge we have kept our stock in good order;
have made profit but dom know how much; wo col
lect freight this city ut Milwaukee and Chi
cago principally; others carry West bound through
freight; We run our boats to the Eric Naiiroad
is necessary to load goods; other vessels come to
dock to receive and discharge freight; IL they
have through freight they come to our dock the
Eric Railroad Company give boats the prefer
for freight received by thom over other boats
TO Mr. shipman-My business is the general
supervision Of and advisor for the railroad COM
pany.
Washington Bulard. sworn Am general manager
of the Union Steamboat Company; have been In tho
tion; was an agent for the company IN lsCv;
the feet that Is now running IL far
superior to , what It was .n when arst .Ss, or,
time was Jay Gould; know nothing directly OF tho
financial management of the company; tho company
do not own single railroad car; thoy arc q mere
intermediary between the railroad company and tho
| boats; there are somo three hundred freight
cars. which belong to the Michigan Car Company. In
provision in the contract whereby tho Eric
company may purchase tho cars IL they desire to do
SO; the company is square ono In every respect; IL
| remember right the car company IL to keep the
cars in and IN repair; only ono contract to my
Steamboat Company and tho Eric Rail
way Company; il was made by jay Gould;
Eric Railroad Company at the time; We get tho full
| rate that stipulate for; We sometimes get a
larger rate than the firo marine men some
months cant get IN ounce OF freight
this is caused by grain spectators shipping
| grain by tho very slowest routes because
| thoy want to hold the market; this has occurred
very often some years, but not all; ships load
| at Chicago and Milwaukee. and carry to the
| Erie company; during tho past year we
| have carried moro local frcights they have
| not had many ready for shipment during Il o
| past year, we carry the bulk of the Western bound
freight billed through by lake and rail; we car
| rod 100000 tons OF freight Westward bound
last year. do some business at Toledo;
| never paid any dividends have made lots
OF money; whatever We have made we have put into
new boats don't pay any money to the Erie Rail
way; made profits during the bad years-vcry little.
though: our income has mover been insufficient TO
| mcet expenses our relations to tho Union Dry
Dock Company IL that pay them for whatever they
do for us; am trustee OF the Dry Dock Company
| don't know much about its affairs; whatever IL
| earns II puts into new improvements; IL Ihave q
copy Of the contract between the Union Stesmboat
Company and the Eric will furnah II to tho COM
mttee.
To the Chairman-wc have four passenger boats
that run to Chicago.
Nr Nam Ian f1iat theyt feIt