Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-07-06
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
The Senate Committee Has an Interest
ing Session in Boston,


Boston, July 5th.-The United States
Senate Committee on Interstate Com
nerce, which has under investigation the
relation OF the Canadian railways to The
interstate commerce laws and the United
States railways, began a session in this city
to-day. Senator Ransom explained the
purposes of the committees visit. Presi-
dent Bliss of the Boston and Albany Rail
road was then invited to give his views to
the committee.
President Bliss stated that he was not
one of those who believed the Grand Trunk
Railroad should be prevented at this late
day from doing business in the United
States provided, however, they were SUBJ
ject to all the rules and regulations to
which American roads are subjected. He
had no personal knowledge that the
Canadian roads were making reduced
rates, but it was the general opinion they
were. If they make reduced rates tG indi-
viduals here it may be considered they
failed to comply with the provision Of the
interstate commerce rules. If the sys-
tenn of granting subsidies to the Canadian
road was continued it would be an injury
to Boston in so far as. it would divert the
trade from Boston.
In reply to question of Senator Blair,
Bliss claimed that if it was just to regulate
American roads Sd that they csnnot COM
pete with water lines il is just also to regu-
late Canadian roads so that they cannot
prey upon the American roads after the
latter are tied up.
Senator Blair tried hard to make Presi-
dent Bliss say that if the Canadian compe-
tition was removed the roads would surely
increase their charges, but the witness
would not do so, stating that if the Cana
dian roads were subjected 10 the same reg
ulation as the American roads the latter
would have to take their chances in COM
petition. He was not disposed TO think the
Canadian roads the public ben eisctors that
some people thought them.
President Choate of the Old Colony road
said his road was probably less affected by
the interstate commerce bill than any other
road in the United States. He doubted if
any law regulating the competition of the
Canadian roads could be enforced, though
it would be good thing TO subject them TO
the same laws as our own roads. How to
do this he did not know. Certainly not by
legislation. He believed there had been an
increase of business over the Canadian
Pacific lines since the passage of the law.
The competition of the Canadian roads,
he said, was an advantage to New En-
gland. He was in favor of permitting the
Canadian lines to run through New En-
gland under the same regulations as our
roads. The exclusion of their cars would
be unfair. He did not think the interstate
law would ever be enforced. The long
and short haul clause was wrong. Some
system Of pooling would be the best thing.
After recess c. s. Mellow, General Traffic
Manager of the Union Pacific, said the
competition his road felt in connection
with the Canadian lines was in transconti-
mental freight. He quoted from the Ca
madam Pacific figures to show an increase
in its traffic, and said this was due to too
large differentials allowed the Canadian
Pacific. If the differentials were done
away with, the Canadian Pacific would
come III as free lance and make such
rates that no road could do business at q
profit. They could afford it on account of
the Government aid extended to them.