Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1889-02-28

t'eh lhH nun NbhSUubule, hnu 6htu tnhL =
the railroad for many years past had
opened up new markets for the dispossl 3
Of tho products OF the Peninsula which .
had not heretofore eristed, and In TINT Il
nanner created large demand for the Q
products Of the locality In question, aud !
that year by year the railroad company
was extending this area, that the growers
and shippers may reach. Mr. Massey
stated that anterior to the year 1863 there
Was no direct distribution of this perish
able fruit beyond Philadelphia, Each
and all Of the branch lines Of the Della.
ware railroad proper which form
part of the Delaware PENN
sula system OF the Philadelphia,
Wilmington h Baltimore railroad have
been for years losing money, which
must be taken into consideration In de.
termining what Ia reasonable or un-
reasonable rate charged hya railroad that
affords this highway to the markets. He
claimed thai tho testimony bore
hin out ia the assertion that the
culture Of fruits had been pro-
NOTED rather than retarded by
the rates complicated Of when New York
and Philadelphis were ths only compel
ing markets. l. was a common thing to
have tbs markets Quilted and no prices,
all of which iuured to the benefit of the
| people OF Delaware. The evaporation Of
the fruit accounted In some localities for
tho seeming decline In transportation Of
| green peaches. 1t was notorious fact
that the frnit raising bait was gradually
moving southwsrd, which was controlled
by nature, aud beyond the power OF the |
railroads to Affect one way or tho other, |
and II was something that rates hnd moth |
ing to do with, out Notwithstanding this
the testimony showed that tho acre.
age devoted to peach plantations was in
creasng. This was o traffio that could
not be properly determined by rules ap
pliosble 10 any other transportation. II
wss psrishahle freight and required 81.
tEaordingry speed In carriage and en-
tailed expenses that were not encoun-
tered In the transportation Of ordinary
freights. A great many more pounds of
grsin could be got into oar than OF
fruit. The former could be Hhipped
almost Of the pleasure of the carrier In
ordinary cars and was really more pro-
fitable freight at lower rate than fruit
ut y higher charge. The commission
merchants OF New York had motive in
teatify ing against tine cause OF the rail-
road and their assertions were too radi-
= Gal. They were naturally nntagonistio
, TO tho home buyers as mtddiemen
always. The whole thing, said Mr..
2 Massey, depends upon results. Ii
the fruit brings good price
in the market there Is no com
piaiat; IL it does not, the blame is
= laid ii the door of the railroad. The
~ | I'M hia ehi n.
:. per that the low price Ia due to tue
= produce not arriving in time to catch the
= early market. He said that the repre-
y sentative growers of the State OF Della.
ware, among others Governor Biggs, had
= testified that the rates were reasonable
" they were prosperous under the present
condition OF affairs, and their shipments
: had Increased gear by year.
y Mr.. Logan then took up the cudgel FOL
y the defendants, aud Eaid that tho eom
"a pIAlnsnts had oonaned their allegations
=, 10 tardy delivery to the year 1887, and
y to-day no did not intend to go into that
y. He stated that their company had ever.
10 wear improved its service over that OF IL
y previous year and had endesvored 4
AZ heep pace with the demands OF tn
planters and the markets. They ha
ne heretofore and intended in the future 7
10 make the transportation OF this perish
=: Abie frsfRht as expeditions as is was raa
70 sonebiy possible TO do. The interest
10 of the carrier aud produce
70 were identical, and the compan
~ which he represented had always followe
y tina. policy in dealing with its customers
oh and propoaed 20 do so In the future.
IN mad ALWAYS shown o disposition TO NEE
r. these parties half way in the spirit c
~ emity and compromise, and in support
81 that claim he read letter OF recent da'
40 Offering TO confer with these complainant
with view to compromise existing diHe
ences in so far 81 was Just and fair wit
ny rayard to the interest and welfare Of a
tai ooncerued He denied that the presei
az, rates were unreAonsbly high in vie
ne of The expepsiye character Of tn
10y nartiouIar traffic and the rap
,af transit afforded. He admitted the rat
ne IN this Clans of freight were lower fro
Norfolk than from the Peninsula, aithous
me the former freight had to be hauled
ny longer distance; bat the Norfolk rat
Ine were made by power over which Il
Ihe yailroa5 had no influence. There we
RAJ four stesmboat lines running out OF No
ter folk. and they made the rates The 81
an nsnsiou OF the operation OF the four
M. clanse OF the act to regulate CONNER
Aa' uYotecTed the railroad in that matter. 81
IN ia oould $50 no possible reason for
" operation in this case.
sp. During Mr.. Logsn's Argument Oha
Aeh man Cooley interrupted MIN to iema'
80. that n letter from the railroad officials
snt f.ring to confer with the grangers did n
e sn ne cesaarily mean that there would oe
oV conference and adjustment OF the diinc'
ties. This was controversy that couu
ers he, more iutelligently settled by I
oIs parties themselves than by any ttiour
inr, that might be called upon to interpol
izoo eaneoinlIy in view Of tho fact that DO
~ sides seemed TO bs Inclined 70 act fan
~ in The matter. IL was an afais that
lon veyv much one OF detail, Of which part
the an the ground would have more intel
was cent idea than outsiders, and he thoue
orN Il a matter that could be very well 90
70 nrnmised between the oontending parti
snc' Mr.. Logan replied that he was ready
rop dAy or any other time to take up
&C. ouastion and confer upon it.
tne Mr.. Bird closed the argument. w
he rssneot to the Norfolk business he 81
syl ira scope OF the inquiry was narr
the one. The discrimination was admitt
rail INT put upon tho ground Of water GO
sur nstiiion. That it's character was suoh
ders pot 10 authorizs the suspension OF
rgu- fourth section OF the act. The stea
rage bosts. before the railroad came, W
Del, aSle 70 transact all the business, and
the 10 Il satisfactorily to the shippt
rail sinoe the railroad made its adv
u IN there had been constant dis
its istaction, and this would pr
8 an ahly continue so long as the xailr'
;nsiated upon discriminating in favor
Norfolk. The railroad tried to ind
s,;d he steamship companies TO pool v
nsiH -, -, ,ha hasia of giving the road