Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-05-10

CANADIAN RAILROADS
Vigorous Testimony Before The
Senate Committee.
They Are IN a Position to Do Injury, il
They Don't.
President Van Horn Examined Re-
garding the Canadian Pacific.


| NEW YORK. May O.
/ The nlted States interstate commerce in
| vestigatlng committee met again today.
The hrst witness was President George B
| Roberts Of the Pennsylvania railroad He
stated that the Pennsy lyania sch me had very
| little actual business with any Canaiiau road
| lie also said that since the nited State, has
begun to regulate railroad companies by
special legislation, the latter had been placed
at disadvantage in their competition with
those of Canada The effect of the Grand
Trunk roads being independent of the legs-
lation which affects those of the United
states Is a constant menace to the latter
don't know that at present the Canadian
roads do any serious injury to American
commerce, but they are in position to do so
any time the managers see fit to do So
Senator Blair replied, What practical
method do you suggest to protect US in our
competition with Canadian csrs?"
Il would make them subject TO the same
laws our own roads obey. ln case this is no;
satisfactory, | think our roads are able to
accommodate the public even if there were
no Canadian roads"
President W. c. Vaniiorn of the Canadian
Pacific road, was called. He described the
Canadian Pacific road from Halifax across
the continent to Van Couver, thence by a
line of subsidized steamers to China. Japan
and Australia. The Canadian roads ,ompete
with the American roads for trade from San
Francisco, China. Japan. Alaska in the
west and some of the trade from Ontario to
Manitoba He said he did not know the ex-
act figures but aside from coal the percent
age of the trade taken from the [ nited States
by his road was very small. He said the
road was begun by the Dominion govern
ment IN compliance with an agreement made
between the government and British Colum-
oia. The work dragged along slowly and
public sentiment demanded that some private
corporation take the work from the govern
ment and complete it, The government has
in many ways. financially and by privileges
aided the road. 1t has not made any money
Many of its bonds have been bought with
money made from the sale of lands which
the government originally gave to the Cana
dlPn Pacific Co. The total amount of sub
sdy aud aid given the road by the govern
ment Is a little over S62, 900 900, according
TO NaullOrne's statement. The transconti-
mental trade from China, Japan and the
western part of the country over the Cana
dian Pacific ROAD is constantly increasing 1t
gets about 10 OF u per cent. of all the west
ern and Pacific trade.
recess was then taken.
After d recess, the examination of Presi-
deht ' an Horne WAS continued.
ne impression is general. sad he, that
the relation OF the Canadian Pacific with it-
government is exceedingly intimate as
sure you me relation lsanlthing out intimate
Nearly all the rails and materials come from
the United States. We have no advantage
over American lines, although labor is some
what cheaper with us. a greater portion of
our coal comes from Pennsylvanla and Ohio
and costs us more than 1T does your roads
Van Horne was followed by President and
General Manager John Newell OF the Lake
Shore and Michigan railroad who testified
that ms road sunered severely from the com