Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-17
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO tn. DISPATCH,

ESPECIAL TELEeRAM TO THE DrsrATcH.i
TITUsvILLE, May 16.-The hearing be-
fore the Interstate Commission was re-
sumed at 9 o'clock this morning, with A. D.
Deming, of Oil City, on the stand. Mr..
Deming, who is an independent refiner,
testified that the refners always had reason
able freight rates till last September. From
1882 to the close Of the year 1884 his COM
pany received rebate of 13 cents per barrel
on all oil shipped to New York and inter-
mediate points, and 26 cents rebate on
Boston oil. He had made large contracts
ahead when the rates to the seaboard were ad-
vanced last September.
He said there was no money in operating re-
dneries at the present rates, but If th ey were
lowered to the former figures, the independent
refiners could afford to run their plants.
Mr.. Byles, another OIL City refner. corrob-
grated the testimony of the preceding witness:
Mr.. F. Falk proprietor of the American Oil
Works of this city, gave testimony that tho
Western New York and Philadelphia Railroad,
in his Judgment,
FAVORED THE STANDARD
oil company, at Rochester, by making low
rates on crude to Rochester and high rates on
refined to the same point. He had known OF q
rate on distillate, product of petroleum, OF 10
cents barrel to Buffalo.
Mr.. John Taylor. General Traffic Manager Of
the Lehigh Valley road, had joint rate with
road to Perth Amboy. He did not know why
the advance in rate had been made, nor by
whom. At the time the rates were advanced
he did not believe the traffic would bear it, but
more money by barrel shipments
than by tank cars, because the cars could be
used to carry freight on return trips He con-
sidered the present rate of 121% cents 100
pounds did he n
road TO carry it at any less rate. He did not
think that rate of to mills was too high.
F. L. Wood, proprietor of the Oil Creek Re-
hnery, of this city, testified that in 1881 the
open rate to New York was 45 cents with a
rebate of Is cents. He did not know that there
was any competition between the railroads for
carrying oil at that time.
EFFECT OF THE INCREASE.
Mr.. Beswold of the International Works, Of
Titusville, testified that the increase of the
premium on the oil of this district to over 8
cents was not on account of the quality of the
oil. He would not say that this premium had
been increased to injure the refiners, but it
had that effect. L. Waltz, of Oil CITY, an inde-
pendent refiner. stated that his business prior
to September of last year. when rates were in
creased, was done at a loss. He was satisfied
with the present rate on tank oil.
At the afternoon session W. g. Matherwell,
manager of the Green line, testified that under
all circumstances the barrel or package con-
tanning OIL was Sh1pped Tree. w. Q. warner,
Secretary of the National Company, of this
city, testified that the old rates did not include
lighterage. Present rates did. Rates to New
England were SO high that it prevented them
from marketing their oil profitably in New
England.~SThe advance in rates and premium
was simultaneous. He thought that 10 or IL
cents per barrel would be an ample rate to
tidewater at New York. If the present rate
continues refners will have to quit business.
SOME. STRONG STATEMENTS.
w. Witherop, President of the Titusville
Independent Refiners' Association, testified:
1.-THE Green line refused to take our cars say
ing that it was violation of their contract
with the National Storage Company. We have
obtained 20.cent rate on distillate from this
city to Buffalo. Outside institutions, the Atlas
among others, got a 15-cent rate to Buffalo over
the same road-the Western, New York and
Pennsylvania"
Mr.. Dan O'Day, general manager of the Ma
tional Transit Pipe Line, was sworn. He said
he didn't know the cost of transporting bar
rel of oil from the western terminus to tide
water The line was constantly being renewed
and great deal of labor, clerical force, engi-
neers, pump stations, fuel, etc. entered into the
computation. Thought cents might cover the
cost but could not say positively.
j. g. Benton, superintendent OF the Tide
water Pipe Line, testified. He said that he had
built the line. It was over 800 miles long. He
could not say positively the cost per mile.
The complainants here rested, The cases
will be taken up again at Washington on
June II.