Omaha daily bee., 1889-05-28
TO CARRY LIVE HOGS OR DEAD
Hearing Before the Interstate Com-
merce Association.
A COMPLAINT FROM BOSTON.
Tho Differences Ii Cost OF Handling
Live Stock and Dressed Meats
The ATOMS Lumber
q Kick,
Transporting Meats Eastward.

Transporting Meats Eastward.
CHICAGO, May 2T.-Al Special Telegram to
THE BEE. THE hearing In the rate cases on
live hogs and the dressed beef products be-
gan this morning In the Palmer house bo-
fore the interstate commerce commission.
The hearing was the result OF complaints
made by John p. Squire, OF Boston, and the
Chicago board Of trade charging dscrimina-
tion against the railroads, in that they made
higher rates on live hogs than on the dressed
products The complaints being practically
the same, 1t was at first decided to hear the
cases together.
Chairman Cooley, Colonel Morrison and
General Bragg were the members of the
commission present. Judge Wilson, Of Bos-
ton, appeared for John =. Squire; Judge Sid
ney Smith and J. E. Monroe for the Chicago
board of trade; Cummins & Wright for the
iowa packers, and Gage, Ladd & Small for
the Kansas City packers.
The John p. Squire case was first on the
docket, Judge Wilson opening for the plain
tiff. This case was against the Chicago
east-bound and trunk line roads. Judge
Wilson opened his case by stating that he
would prove the following propositions:
1. Live hogs can, and should be, trans
ported at less rate than dressed product.
O. The rate on dressed hogs should at least
be the same as dressed beef.
3. The rate on dressed hogs should be at
least as nigh as that on live hogs.
a. The rate on live cattle is, and should be,
less than that on dressed beef.
Judge Smith opened for the board of trade
and made the general statement particular
lied in the formal complaint that the present
rates on live hogs were higher from Missouri
river and Iowa points than on the dressed
product. The formal complaint was then
read.
MIR. Cummins, Of Cummius & Wright,
opened for the Iowa packers by saying, he
intended to prove the following:
l. The present rates have been In effect for
twenty years.
2. Chicago packers are at no disadvantage
on account of the present rates.
3. There is no disproportion in the rates.,
a. The rates are now equitably established
Paul Morton, general freight agent of the
Burlington, testified in substance that it
costs as much to run refrigerator as live
stock cars, or more. There is as much risk
in transporting dressed meat as in transport
ing live stock. In case Of wreck, IL total,
the dressed meat loss would be higher Or
dinarily the loss might be less. Salt and ice
used on dressed beef are transported Free
The Burlington owned about one-third Of the
refrigerator carsrnn on its line. For those
not owned, the Burlington and all western
roads paid a cent u mile both ways to the
owners. as mileage. At the present time
about two-thirds iof the live stock cars go
back empty. Sometimes hardly any went
back empty On cross-examination Mr.
Morton said'3u that he did not
know any Iowa packers who owned refrig-
orator cars. Almost any Burlington engine
could haul sixteen or seventeen loaded re-
frigerator cars. In weighing live hogs 500
pounds is deducted from the net weight to
give shippers the benefit of the doubt. He
could not say what proportion of live hogs
die In transit. Less die since the weighing
system went into. effect, as shippers load
cars much lighter. The average weight of u
car load of hogsa as II 900 pounds; that of a
car Of packinR-house products was about
1880. The cost of unloading car of live
hogs is very slighty1ig
AT the afternoon74session the witnesses
were Superintendent Becler, of the Burning
ton; Car Accountant Lure, of the North
western; MIR. Dee, of the Chicago Packing
and Provision company; Chairman Moore, Of
the Chicago Car Service association, and
Nels Morris, Of Chicago. 1t was brought
out that the delay in unloading live stock
cars was much less than that of dressed meat
cars. That at present there was ABOUT the
same risk in transporting live hogs and cat
tie, and that live stock cars cost about $3.50
aud refrigerator cars about $3.50.
Chairman Walkers decision on the appl-
cation of the Alton road to reduce the
Missouri river lumber rate from sixteen to
ten cents, was not ready for publication to-
day. 1t was learned that it would refuse the
application General Manager Chappell, of
the Alton, said the decision would make no
difference and that notice would be given
Immediately to the Interstate commerce COM
mission that the ten cent rate would be made.
The Burlington will, next Sunday, put
passenger trains on the Creston and Rio
branches. These trains were taken off last
winter.