New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-01
THE ALTON CASE BEFORE THE. COM
MISSION.
THE COMPLAINT OF THE RAILWAY AssocIATIo
EXPLAINED BY CHAIRMAN WALKER.

THE COMPLAINT OF THE RAILWAY ASSOCIATION
EXPLAINED BY CHAIRMAN WALKER
Chicago, Sept 3O-The Interstate Commission met
at the Palmer House this morning with Chairman
Cooley presiding, and Commissioners Bragg, OK Ala
bama Morrison OF Illinois; schoonmaker' OF NOW
York, and Veazey, Of Vermont present. more tha"
half of the persons present belonged to the Choago
and Alton Railroad, the consideration OF coupan'
against which by the Interstate Railway Assocls
ton is the most important work 10 come before inc
Commission
Previous to the hearing of the Alton case an effort
was again made 10 get before the Commission the
question Of grain reductions the practice oil la.i
ways in deductlng five pounds more from each
load OF wheat delivered to them. The case was
that Of Fred White, Of Michigan, against the Lake
Shore and Michigan Central. The specific charges
were that wheat delivered by the complainant at
Dayton Mich, TO these roads had been charged win
deductions, for which he asked $500 compensation
IL was affirmed that five pounds deducted nom
each load, and sometimes much as nine pounds
The roads claimed the amount deducted was baFey
sufficient 10 indemnify the company Tor shr1nhage :
they said wheat stored and receipts given Tor IL
without charge TO farmers, and that It was always the
custom 10 deduct fractional parts Of five pound D..
They held that the particular occurred in 1884
before the law into effect. The case was taken
under advisemeRt
When the Alton case was called. Chairman Walker.
Of the Interstate Railway Association, the complain
ant and Attorney Brown, of the Alton were pitted
against each other. Chairman Walker stated the
case, He said that the Chicago and Alton road
had been a member OF the Railway Association until
July Is Of this year. He explained the methods Of
stock shipping from Kansas City TO Chicago, the
centres Of the cattle trade Through rates made
from shipping points In the West through Kansas
City to Chicago, with privilege of stop-over In
Kansas City. II cattle not sold there the unsold
remainder Is sent 10 Chicago on the original billing
"Much of this stock" he said, 4" Is shipped In private
cars on which mileage is collected The result is that
line cars largely unused" He then explained
that the American Live Stock Commission Company
has made contracts with the Alton Road to use 400
Of their cars, for which they to pay s6 a month
rental. 1t is In tho nature Of rebate. II oil lines
should do the same It would destroy tade' he said
Attorney Brown affirmed that there was no charge
Of violation Of the law, and only a fear that such
might be done. He further denied the right Of the
Railroad Association TO make complaint on the ground
that it is neither real person an artificial per
son. az acknowledge ths contracts he said, but
I reserve the right TO withhold them. am not sat
isfed to have contracts made public for the mere
satisfaction OF curious minds. We have a valp ablo
contract but We arc willing to make the same wiz
other persons under tho same conditions"
Chairman walker replied with an argument N prove
the legitimacy OF the complaint and OF his associa-
ton.
Judge Cooley announced that the question would be
taken under advisement b 10 whether tho In It's
present form should be considered by the Commits
SION The decision will be given tomorrow morning.
The case OF the Chicago, Kansas City and Nebraska
and the Rock Island against the Chicago and Alton
was heard. The point at issue is in regard to live
stock stop-over privileges at Kansas City. Chairman
Mdgeley Of the Southern Railway Association, was
ordered bring the Association books before the Com
mission tomorrow.