Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-07
MIR. DEPEw A WITNESS.
He Talks on Railroad Matters to the Sem
ate Committee.

New YORK, May THE Senate committee
on interstate commerce resumed its inquiry
to-day into the workings Of the interstate COM
merce law at the Fifth-avenue hotel Chaun-
cey NJ. Depew took the stand and told the
committee what he knew regarding the work.
ings Of the law. The Senators present we're:
Cullom, chairman; Hiscock, Blair, Reagan.
Harris, Platt, and German. Mr.. Depew said
that the tendency of the interstate commerce
law was to give all the carrying trade to the
large roads. The smaller roads could make
no money. All roads were obliged to publish
their rates, and as they were not allowed to
give rebates the larger roads were the only
ones that could compete for the trade. In ex-
planning the relation of the New York Central
to the Erie road Mr.. Depew said that each road
was independent of the other, and that there
was only an interchange of business. Further
more, the New York Central road had very lit
tie business with the Grand Trunk roads
By Senator Cullom-"Have you favored the
extension of the Grand Trunk lines in the
United States?'
Mr.. Depew-.I have not The United States
roads are practically at the mercy of the Cana
dian roads as to the local traffic. They can
find the rates from Chicago and then recoup
any reductions by extra charges on goods pass
ing over the Canadian portion of the line It
is entirely matter of discretion with the Cana
dian roads how much they shall charge. They
have an agreement with certain steamship lines
whereby they guarantee them SO much bust
ness"
Senator Cullom-'Is it true that the Cana
dian roads make up their losses from their
American trader
Mr.. Depew-'SoI understand. But l think
that the Grand Trunk management is trying TO
be honest in its dealings with the people of the
United States. But 1T seems TO me that it is a
queer law which tries to regulate the Amrican
roads and allows an alien road that does moth
ing for the support of the government to come
in and cut the rates. Since the passage of the
interstate commerce law the condition of the
roads has been improved. but the improve
ment would have been greater had pool been
allowed. The tendency of all the roads is to
lower rates and no pooling can prevent it,"
Mr.. Depew said further that in his opinion
foreign roads, whether Canadian or Mexican.
should be obliged to conform to the laws of the
United States. The effect of the interstate
commerce law has been beneficial to the public
at the expense of the roads. 1t has also stopped
the indiscriminate building of unnecessary
roads by capitalists looking for investment.
The road-beds are better, the cars are better
and the service is better throughout the country
than it was few years ago. At present even
the cattle and meat trains make better time
than the express trains of twenty years ago.
BY Senator Cullom-"Do YOU favor the abo-
ition of Canadian roads in the United States?"
A.-"That is not necessary. Make them
conform to the same laws as the American
roads,"
lat present the Canadian roads are not in
favor OF lowei rates, but, notwithstanding all
its advantages however, Mr.. Depew's opinion
Is that the interstate commerce law will never
be a success until pooling under some other
name is legalized and the American roads are
allowed to make rebates.l