Milford chronicle., 1888-09-28
Farmers and the Railroad.
THE FARMERS OF DELAWARE COM
PLINIENTED.

Pennsylvania railroad, was opened 10
the public before the Interstate Com
merce Commission, in the hall of the
House of Representatives at Dover.
The following synopsis Of the pro-
ceedings will give an idea of the line
of prosecution
There were four members Of the comnis-
sion present-C Chairman Thomas NJ. Cooley,
William R. Morrison, Augustus Schoon-
maker, and Walter A. Bragg.
Judge Cooley stated the object Of the ses-
sion, and George H. Bates, Esq, counsel for
the grangers, presented schedule Of the
grievances of his clients These were in two
distinct counts First the railroad COM
pany's unjust and unreasonable charges for
carrying perishable freight, which charges
are excused by the plea of extra train ser
vice and prompt delivery, which is not furn-
ished- second, discrimination in rates, in
which the company violated the long and
short haul clause Of the Interstate Com
merce law.
He presented the schedules Of all tariffs
charged by the railroad company in 1887,
aud the rates per car for perishable fruit.
Judge John A. Logan, of counsel for the
railroad company, replied, denying all the
allegations of the plaintiffs.
The examination of witness for plaintiff
then began, and John J. Rosa, of Milford,
was first sworn. Mr.. Bird conducted the
direct examination, and in answer to ques-
tions, Mr.. Rosa testified that he was grower
OF nearly all fruits adapted to this climate
and soil; has been engaged in the business
for eighteen years, and has made it a study;
in 1877 he shipped 10000 quarts to Jersey
City and New York; the freight was 90 cents
per 100 pounds, a fraction oyer cent per
quart; a 32-quart crate would weigh 81
pounds.a 6o-quart crate about "A pounds; the
train service during 1857 as a general thing
was bad; trains left Milford for Jersey City
between and O'Clock p M, aud he was
given to understand that they would arrive
at Jersey City between ? and ) O'Clock next
morning, but they often arrived as late as 9
O'Clock. A great deal of money was lost to
the grower by the late arrival Of trains He
estimated that Il cost the grower SI6o per
acre to successfully raise strawberries, or 9
cents per quart. Trains were oftener late
than on time, according TO his commission
mems report.
Mr.. Massey cross-examined the witness at
length to show the real profit accruing to the
grower of berries and fruits, and to show that
no definite time was given by the railroad
company as to the arrival Of trains
Alfred L. Hudson, of Smyrna was the next
witness sworn His testimony mainly re-
lated topeaches. He shipped $1,000 baskets
in 1887 from Clayton at a cost of S84 per car !
of $50 baskets; trains left Clayton between
? and ?. 80 p. m, and were to arrive i'll New
York between / and O'Clock p. M, they
were oftener late than on time; late arrival
made difference sometimes of as high as
40 cents per basket in the market rates
shippers had to load their own cars without
any help from the railroad company.
Mr.. Hudson was crosse examined at length |
by Mr.. Massey to show the profits accruing
from peach growing,and in answer oaques-
tion Mr., Hudson stated that growers were |
their orchards because Of the ex-
cessive rates of freight imposed by the rail
road company and other troubles in ship
ment
Thomas &. Killen, of FELTON,, the next
witness, was a shipper, and gave informa-
ton as to freight rates and the time Of de-
parture aud arrival of trains.
Nathan P. Tull, of Marian, Va, testified
that in 1887 the train service was bad, but
had been improved this year. Carroll P.
Fisher, the last witness examined before
recess was taken, was a shipper at Wyoming,
and like Mr.. Killen, confined his testimony
as to train service.
The examinations are very searching, and
The members of the commission take lively
interest in the testimony, each of them ask
ng questions frequently of the witnesses.
There were fully $50 persons in the hall
when the session opened, most all Of whom
we're leading grangers and railroad men.
The railroad company was represented by
about twenty of the leading officials.
After the recess, John S Wilson, general
reight manager Of the Pennsylvania Rail
-oad Company, was placed on the stand, as
t was necessary that he should return to
and his testimony was desired.
lie Thought the rate was reasonable consid-
ring the cost. He gave at length the rea-
on why the movement Of perishable freight
vas costly to the railroad company. Speedy
movement was ruinous to both car aud track.
Ie would prefer ordinary freight; there was
nore money in it. He explained again at
,ngth the difference IN the cost Of moving
iherent freight.
Mr.. Bird cross-examined Mr.. Wilson very
losely, and brought out answers that seemed
, indicate the peach traffic was worth hav- /.
ig. In answer to one question Mr.. Wilson ;
ave it as his decided opinion that the pat
1ns of the Delaware railroad had prospered
) greater degree than the railroad itself
ad.
General Bragg questioned Mr.. Wilson at
myth as to the cost of fitting up and unit )
ug cars, the percentage received from all
lie different classes of freight carried over
e Delaware railroad and the receipts there y
ON. General Bragg impressed upon Mr. :
'ilson that he wished these facts submit ?
d in writing as part of his evidence. l
MI Bird brought out the fact that there I
as practically no competition on peaches
water to New York. il
John Idell, commission merchant of New A
1rk, explained the loss that accrues from ia
-e arrivals BY trains. Peaches, lie said, So
onld be at the stores in New York at 3 a. d,
TO be successfully marketed. S.