The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-05-16
President Roberts, of the Pennsyl-
vania Road, Before the SEN
ate Committee,

1
leased roads in addition to the Pennsyl-
vania road proper, which practically con-
trolledthe policy of the system. Il had
very little actual business relations with
any Canadian road.
By Senator Cullom-"What have you to
say of The relations between the Canadian
roads and those of the United States?"
Mr.. Roberts, "Since the United States
has begun to regulate railroad companies
by special legislation the latter have been
placed at disadvantage In their competi-
tion with those of Canada. The effect of
the Grand trunk roads being independent
of legislation, which effects those of the
United States, is 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 q
position to do so at any time the managers
see fit"
"What advantage have the Canadian
roads over those of the United States?"
"The Canadian Pacific is heavily subsi-
dlzed by the government, so as to encour-
age the development of the country. Both
the Grand Trunk and Canadian Pacific
roads draw their supplies from England
free of duty"
"Cen the roads in the United States be
operated ss oheaply as the Canadian
rosds?"
"There is considerable doubt as to how
to answer that question:
By Senator Cullom-"What remedy
have you to suggest as an amendment to
the law that would place American roads
and Canadian roads on an equality?"
Mr.. Roberts-T think any for
eign corporation doing business
here should be subject to
the same laws as the roads of our own
country. If the Canadian roads are per-
mitted to carry traffic in and out of the
United States,they should be made'amen-
able to our laws"
"Of course we cannot oblige foreign
roads to conform to our laws when they
are out of the country, but while they do
business within our borders the same laws
should apply to both. In fact am not
so sure that foreign roads should be al
lowed the privileges they enjoy in this
country even under these conditions.
l cannot quite understand why foreign
roads should be allowed to go in and out
of the United States, while foreign vess: Is
are not allowed to do coasting business
with this country"
By Senator Blaine-"What practical
method do you suggest to protect the
init +al Tot iy,n NatJ nit fha
Canadian roads?"
Mr.. Roberts-T should make them
sub iect to the same laws which our own
roads obey. In case this is not satisfao-
tory, l think our own roads are fully able
to accommodate the public, even if there
we're no Canadian roads,"
Senator German asked President Rob
erts the same question that Mr.. Wiman
answered yesterday, whether or not it
would be fair proposition for the United
States to demand that all Canadian roads
doing business in the United States should
conform to American laws or else
stay out of the country. Mr., Roberts re-
piled that he thought 1t perfectly fair
demand, and one which should be made
in the interest of American roads.
By Senator Gorman-"There is move
ment on foot, I understand, to
construct through line from the
Pacific 70 the Atlantic coast, to connect at
either end with the subsidized line of
steamers, its object being to take the
trade that comes from China and Japan
and transport it to the eastern coast"
"What chance, in your opinion, do
American roads stand of controlling this
trader"
Mr.. Roberts-"The American roads have
the first call on such trade, and, under
equal conditions with the Canadian roads,
could control it,"
Mr.. Roberts was in favor of pooling,
as only different roads in the combination
would keep their agreements. Under the
old system of pooling certain of the roads
kept part of the contract, but other con-
ditions of it we're violated.
By Senator Blair-"Then is not the true
principle of railroad business combina-
tion rather than competition?"
Mr.. Roberss-"Hardly. l am in favor
of fair competition under proper legisla-
tion. If this could be brought about it
would be much better than any pool"
When President Roberts had ended,
President W. G. Van Horn, of the Cana
dian Pacific road, was called on for his
views upon the subject in question. He
described the Canadian Pacific road from
Halifax across the continent to Vancou-
yer, and thence by q line of subsidized
steamers to China, Japan and Australia.
The Canadian roads compete with the
American roads for trade from San Fran
cisco, China, Japan and Alaska In the
west and some of the trade from Ontario
to Manitoba.
Senator Cullom-"What percentage of
your traffic is taken from the United
States?"
Mr.. Van Horn-"I do not know the
exact figures, but, aside from coal, the
percentage of trade taken from the
United States is very small"
At o'clock the commission adjourned
for an hour.