The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-19
AN IMPORTANT HEARING.
Southern Railroads VIII Appear Before
the Interstate Commission.


Walker, Jr, Of the Kennesaw Division
Freight Line; John Porteus, general man
ager of the National Dispatch Line; j. T..
Childs, general manager OF the New York,
Ontario & Western; Mr. llarrott, OF the
Baltimore 4 Ohio; Mr. FELTON,, Of the
Erie; Mr.. Speirs, of tho Lehigh Valley;
Mr.. Haas, Of the Richmond 4 Danvllc,
and MIR. Hays OF the Wabash Western,
were examined. The gist Of the evidence
was that, with few exceptions. the inland
published rates had not for some months
been maintained. Some Of the roads had
made an effort 10 maintain them and in
consequence had practically lost their ex.
| port business. The Lake Shore 4 Michi-
gan Southern had IN u very few months
from carrying 80 per cent. of the export
business dropped TO per cent. Other
roads had suffered quite as severely. Gen.
eral Manager Hays, Of the Wabash &
Western, was called, and answered several
questions put TO his colleague. Mr.. Hop
kins, at Saturdays session by Judge
Strong counsel for the Lake Shore. lie
said that his road had not for some time
maintained uniform inland rate and that
their inland export rates were often less
than their domestic seahoard rate.
Mr.. Porteus, of the National Dispatch
Line, said that he had no knowledge of
any manipulation Of export rates by his
| company, and IN consequence OF It's exact
ing full intent and rates, had lost large
share OF its business. The import rates
from Liverpool 10 Chicago during the last
six months. he said have been conzidera.
| bly, less than those from the scaboard
points to Chicago, the proportion being
about twenty-five 10 twenty-five. Mr.
llarriot, OF the Baltimore q Ohio, ex.
| planned that In making their export rates,
the steamship companies fixed their tarin,
10 which the railroad company added their
inland rate. This inland rate had been
fairly well maintained.
Mr.. Haas, OF the Richmond & Dan.
vile, said that the situation Of the South.
crn roads was wholly different FROM that
| OF the trunk lines, because OF tho fact they
have no regular lines Of steamers plying
lptwecn southern and foreign ports and
hence they are dependent upon trampa
whose rates ARE often much higher than
those Of tho regular linea
IL seemed 10 be tho universal opinion o
| the freight managers present that 4 uni.
form through export tariff could not be-
maintained. rs In that ease the railroads
would be- at the mercy Of the steamship
companies. But the opinion was M gen.
cral that a full inland rate could be main-
tanned as contemplated by the law and that
a faithful observance Of the law would TO.
suit In good 10 all concerned.
Chairman Cooley then said: al made
the statement while ago that we propose,
nj the request Of gentlemen here repre-
scnting the Southern roads, 10 give them a
hearing. and they have named for that
purpose two weeks from tomorrow. We
should bo glad 30 announce an earlier
date II practicable, but we do not nnd that
IL is. We DO not know that there is any
reason why II should be earlier, excepting
lac one that this sort OF thing which has
been going ON at the North-oi which
think the evidence Is abundant may, per
haps, continue, unless the commission
makes some dcliyoranco ON the subject
now. We do not want 10 bo compelled to
announce an opinion on 40 important
matter without careful delibomlion, nor
until those Southern gentlemen have been
heard. But IL is very manifest that there
have been things going on here thatshould
stop at once. They never ought 10 have
been done, and u they should cease forth.
with, this would be no reason why we
should not take two months, or oven
n little longer time for FINAL expression Of
opinion. As 10 what las been going on,
We must compliment Mr.. Hayes for com.
ing forward and stating frankly Just what
the facts were as regards his own roads.
We should have been better satisfied II a
like couragc had been taken by all others.
They must all be satisfied now that what
they have been doing has not been JUST.
fed by tho law, aud there should bO no
more OF H. They ought all now 10 do
what no doubt Mr.. Hayes viii do,
namely, In q manly manner, ondcayor 10
comply with the law. Our purpose IA not
10 hurt anybody, but 10 bc Of service 10
the community In seeing that tho law Ia
observed; aud, whilo wo have fixed two
weeks from tomorrow for the hearing Of
these Southern gentlemen, In tho mean
time We expect the parties b. take up the
law and study Il, and SEQ that, NO far m
their own roads are concerned, II IL lived
up 10. Hero Is the law, and II Ia
not for you hereafter 10 say 10 us
that there arc practical obstacles
In tho way Of complying with Il; that
you would lose business by 40 doing, aud
all that sort Of thing. We are not con.
ccrncd In that. We do not wish 10 do
anything 10 mako you lose business; nj
the same time We cannot accept u ns
valid excuse, that II you obey tho law you
will thereby lose business. Tho time ought
10 be considered as gone by when n man.
agor can come 10 US and say Il named
this rate, and did Il regardless Of law bo.
causo my competitor had done the same
thing There IL no excuse for that prac.
tice. II wrong IL done by one road 10
tho injury Of another, the proper method
Of redress IL not 10 duplicate the wrong,
but 20 20 before the common authority,
whether Il be the commission or the vol.
untary association, with complaint Of the
wrong. One crime In railroad circles Il no
moro 10 DO excused by another
than one theft Is 10 10 justified
by another; and II ought 10 be Just
~ discrcditable 10 violate n criminal
law which Affects railroad managers In
order 10 mako money for their roads, ~ II
" 10 violate criminal law In tho appropria-
ton OF private property. l say these
things In view Of the fact that We thiuk In
justice 10 these Southern gentlemen we
ought 10 give a continuance Of this invest.
igation Tor couple Of weeks In order 10
lot them show what there IL peculiar In
their case. We do not want 10 express an
opinion that will alIecl their Interests uR-