Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-29
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
The Commission Continues It's Inquiry
Into Western Rates.

| CHICAGO, May 2S-TherInterState COM
merce commission resumed It's
session at the Palmer house this morning,
hearing the continuation OF the evidence
| in the case of the western railways leaving
the city. There were eight witnesses for
| the complaint and three for the defense
heard before o'clock, when a recess was
taken for an hour. The first witness was
John 3. Robertson, of the AllertOn Pack
ing company, who was put on the stand by
the complainant. He was asked If there
was not an agreement between the packers
that portion of the houses should remain
closed and should receive a certain amount
from those which were working during
the time they remained closed. Mr. Rob-
ertson refused to answer the question on
the advice of S. Allerton. Mr.. Allerton
was next put upon the stand and asked
the same question, but also refused to an
swer, j. G, He!ghley, packer, was put on
the stand and asked the same question.
He answered that there was such an agree
ment. After this statement, which Great
ed quite O sensation, it was agreed that the
agreement would be presented as evidence.
Dnring the afternoon no attempts We're
made to bring out further evidence on
this point.
Secretary Stone of the board of trade
read statistics showing that the output of
the packing Interests in Chicago had been
declining and those of Kansas City,
Omaha and other western points had been
rapidly increasing.
G. H. Miller, live stock agent of the
Pennsylvania road, engaged in the cooper
age commission; n. u. Inglehart, j. 3.
Martin, of salt deal, and Z. a. Under
wood pork packer. were put on the stand
by the complainant. The defense put on W.
Il. Hosmer. packer; Charles b. Senter,
packer at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and James
at MGlnpa
each OF whom testified concerning the
freight rates on different products charged
them by the different railroads.
Other similar witnesses were e. ID. Har-
k nsOn and H u. Payne OF Sioux City,
and Benjamin Z. Button, of Des Moines.
One OF the most interesting witnesses OF
the day was General Manager Jeffrey of
tire Illinois Central railroad. "What do
you consider Il fair rate ON hogs to Chi
cago?' he was asked. About 80 cents, or
/ cent a ton per mile" And for packing
house productsgn About 40 cents per 100
pounds" Are the present rates lower or
higher than in the past| '"They
been at some times, and are
higher than they have been at some times
ana higher than they have been at others.
The question was then asked Mr.. jeffrey
why it was the rate was higher on live
hogs than on the dressed product. After
an dlLeDiDb 10 CNdtkc the QttSSbipl nc IS-
piled by saying: Il don't know. 1t has
been that way for a. long time" This be-
ing the vital point in the investigation,
the commissioners themselves took a hand
in the matter and Mr.. Morrison said:
'Now, Mr.. Jeffrey, let US say that
your road is able TO transport the
entire product Of these western towns to
Chicago. What, then, would be the more
profitable TO your road, live hogs at 81
cents a hundred, or the product at 40
cents?"
Taking into consideration that we
would haul all the hogs to the packer"
Il don't want you TO take anything into
consideration except my question"
Then l can't say. Not even rate ex-
pert can figure out that problem. The |
question is too abstract"
mo, indeedr' interjetted Judge Cooley. |
at is not an abstract one to these Chicago |
people who have hundreds OF thousands of |
dollars at stake, but Is very practical |
one
well, I can't answer it without figur- |
ing on the matter"
1--WE would be glad then" said Chair !
man Cooley, iii you viii take your time |
10 do little figuring"
But it viii only be guess work"
THAT is just what we shall have to do " |
On crosS-examination Mr.. Jeffrey said |
his estimate was made at &c q ton per mile |
because in 1881 at slightly higher rate the |
road declared Z per cent dividend on $780, |
OU0,0OO, while last year at less rate 1t /
hardly paid per ceut. y decision will |
not be reached by the commission until |
after the testimony Is written up.