Smyrna times., 1888-09-26
Grangers Before Interstate Commits.
siOnerS.
AGAINST THE PENNSYLVANIA RAIL
ROAD COMPANY.


Of the House of Representatives to hear
testimony in the case of the Delaware
Patrons of Husbandry VS.. the PeDnsvl-
vania Railroad Company. There were
four members of the commission pres
ent-Chairman Thomas NJ. Cooley,
William h. Morrison, Augustus Schoon-
maker and Walter A. Bragg.
Judge Cooley stated the object of
the session, and George II. Bates, ESQ,
counsel for the grangers, presented
a schedule of the grievances of his eli
ents. These were in two distinct
counts: First, the railroad company's
unjust and unreasonable charges for
carrying perishable freight, which
charges are excused by the plea of
extra train service and prompt deliv-
cry, which is not furnished second.
discrimination in rates, of which the
company violated the long and short
haul clause of the Inter state Com
merce law.
He presented the schedules of all
tariffs charged by the railroad compa-
ny in 1887, and 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 witnesses for
plaintiff then began, and John J. Rosa,
of Milford was first sworn. Mr.. Bird
conducted the direct examination. and
III answer to questions, Mr. Rosa tes-
titled that he was a 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 66 cents per 100 pounds, a
traction over cent per quart a 30
quart crate would weigh 81 pounds, a
6O-quart crate about seventv-four
pounds; the train service during 1887
as a general thing was bad trains left
Milford for Jersey City between l and
O'Clock P. NJ, and he was given to
understand that they would arrive at
Jersey City between 2 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 it cost the grower $160 per acre to
successfully raise strawberries, or 6
cents per quart. Trains were oftener
late than on time according to his COM
mission mems report.
Mr.. Massey crOss-examined the wit
ness 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 compa-
ny as to the arrival of trains.
Alfred l.. Hudson, of SMYRNA, was
the next witness sworn. His testimO-
ny mainly related to peacho-. lie
shipped $4,000 baskets in 1887 from
Clayton at a cost of $S4 per car of $50
baskets; trains left Clayton between 2
aud 2.30 P. NJ, and were to arrive in
New York between 1 and 2 o'clock A.
NJ; they were oftener late than on
time; late arrival made a 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 crOss-eXamined at
length by Mr.. Massey to show the
profits accruing from peach growing,
and in answer to question Mr.. Hud-
son stated that growers were neglect
! ing their orchards because Of the oX-
cessive rates of freight imposed by the
railroad company and other troubles in
shipment.
Thomas f. Killen, of FELTON,, the
next witness, was n shipper, and gave
information as to freight rates and the
time of departure and arrival of trains.
Nathan +. Tull of Marion, Va, testi-
fed that in 1887 the train service was
bad, but haa been improved tLis year.
Carroll p. Fisher. the last witness ex-
amined before recess was taken, was
a shipper at Wyoming, and like Mr..
Killen confined his testimony as to
train service.
The examinations were very search
ing and the members of the commits.
sion took lively interest in the testi-
mony, each of them asking questions
frequently of the witnesses. There
were fully 250 persons in the hall when
the session opened, most of whom were
leading grangers and railroad men.
9. ii. Wallbridge, manager of the
great trucking farms of William I,
Scott at Cape Charles: S. B. Carney.
one of the most successful truckers Of
Nansemond county, Va; l.. II. Nc
Whorter, of Sewell Point, Va: r.. Fl
Bancroft, J. J. Rosa, Governor r n
Biggs, the Rev. J. S. Willis. A n
Brown, G. w. Horsey, Dr. Hugh Mar.
tin, Colonel Edward l.. Martin. and
many other prominent agriculturalists
were present. The railroad oomnanv
was represented by about twenty IF
the leading officials. -
Alter the recess John S. Wilson. oen.
erai freight manager of the PennsvI-
vania Railroad Company, was nlaced
on the stand, as it was necessary that
ne should return to Philaielnbia
thursday night and his testimony was
desired, He thought the rates were
reasonable considering the cost He
gave at length the reasons why the
movement of perishable freight was
costly to the railroad ce1onans-
speedy movement was ruinous Ia bofb
Car and track. He would prefer orS;.
nary freight: there was more money
n it. He explained again at lenc,b
the difference in the cost Of movina,
HI Nfo4o..t AAORAAk