St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-05-28
COOLEY'S COMMISSION
Looking Into the Matter of Live
Stock and Meat Rates.

Looking Into the Matter of Live
Stock and Meat Rates.
CHICAGO, May 27.-Chairman Cooley,
Gen. Bragg and Col Morrison, of the
interstate commerce commission, began
their inquiry to-day into the charges
preferred against the Western railroads
by the Chicago board of trade, concerning.
the relative basis of rates on live hogs.
and packing house products. The parlor
where the commission was in session
was crowded to Overflowing with rail-
road officials, attorneys and packers.
1t was the first intention of the
commission to consolidate this case
with that of John p. Squire, of
Boston against the Chicago east bound
roads and Eastern trunk lines, but ii
was found soon after the hearing COM
some respects similar they were by no
means identical. Judge Wilson. of Bos-
ton. had already made his opening argu-
ment when it was decided to postpone
the further hearing of the Squire case,
and take it up in Boston at some future
day. The rest of the day was given up
to the taking of evidence in the case of
the Chicago board of trade against the
roads interested i'm Iowa and Missouri
river traffic. Judge Smith, who with
j. E. Monroe represented the
board of trade, opened with
general statement of the case
as detailed in the original complaint.
He argued that the present adjustment
of rates. which are higher on the live
hogs than on the dressed product from
Missouri river and Iowa points. is
wrong IN principle and discrimination
against Chicago. Lawyer Cummins, of
Des Moines, represented the Iowa pack
ers, who are the real defendants in this
case. In stating his side, he SAID it. was
his intention to prove: The present
rates have been in effect for twenty
years; Chicago packers are at no disad-
vantage on account of present rates;
there Is no disproportion in the rates;
the rates are now equitably es-
tablished. Paul Morton, general
freight agent of the Chicago,
Burlington 4 Quincy, was the first wit
ness. His evidence went to show that
the cost OF transporting dressed meats
was rather higher,all things considered,
than that of shipping live stock, and the
risk fully as great. The afternoon ses-
sion was held in the club room of the
hotel, to avoid overcrowding. J. G.
Dennison, assistant secretary of the
UllOu DUCK dIuS Ompduys was OK.
amined as to his knowledge of the rela-
tive cost and time consumed in unload
ing live stock and dressed meats. His
testimony was followed by that of
other witnesses, including E. D. Moore,
manager of the Chicago Car Serv-
ice association; J. ID. Besler, gen
eral superintendent Of the Burlington,
William j. Dee, packer; S. M. Luce,
car accountant of the Chicago & North:
western. and Nels Morris. The whole
aim OF the inquiry was apparently to,
establish the exact difference in the cost
of transportation between live hogs.
and dressed pork, with view to decid-
ing by that means which is entitled to-
the lower rate. The examination will
be resumed tomorrow. 1t is under
stood that the commission while in Chi
cagO will make inquiry into a mat
ter that has been brought to
it's attention, and which prom
ises some interestesting devel-
velopments. This is the case of the
prominent cattle shippers, who several
months ago bribed one of the agents of
the Western Railroad Weighing associ7,
alton at the stock yards to pass ship-f
ment of live stock at less than the act
ual weight. 1t will be remembered that
the agent, while he accepted the ship
per's money, promptly reported the
transaction to Supt. Carman. 1t was
supposed this matter was huShed up,
but it now transpires that the facts are
in possession not only of the interstate
commerce commission, but also of the
United States district attorney.