The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-07-09

separations assembled for another
9riendly bout in the arena of traffic
ties and classifications.
No one would have guessed from the
1pearance of the assembly that but a
ssw short hours before they had sat
"a 1out the delicacy laden tables of the
Driskill, as they now sat about the
paper Uttered tables of the commits
3 on; that only last night they dis
eussad CONNECTION trifles, fruits and
spicurean delights, and drank of the
sparkling champagne as they now
discussed rates, classifications and di-
versified hauls, and drank at the founts
al wisdom flowing free for all who
would but quaff it.
The consideration of rates was again
resumed with weather eye of the dis
pItants turned sharply on the ques-
ID on of distance tariffs. Group rates
irst hove in sight, and Mr.. Weiss of
Beaumont held that group rates are
given the lumber mill men of Texas.
The commission Immediately took
t1e gentleman in hand and fired a
b roadside OF questions into him.
chairman Reagan inquired of the
gentleman if he thought it fair to
make the man whose land cost him
$50, an acre pay the same
ute on his lumber as the man
glrther away who paid but So to 81
ger acre for his dirt. Mr.. Weiss
thought it looked bit unfair.
Commissioner Foster wanted to
know if the price of lumber was the
same as it used to be, and if the cost
OK transportation to Austin didn't ex-
ceed the original cost of lumber. The
gentleman replied that the price had
declined in recent years, but he was
unable to say whether or not the cost
of transportation was in excess of the
cost of production. He also informed
the commission that the cost of trans
x tOIUduiOh hdu lOU uoCllAcu III U6Ll
years, and have even heretofore been
lower than now. When asked if the
reduction in the price of lumber had
not been brought about by grouping
rates, he could give no information.
lumber rates he showed are 81 / A
from Beaumont to Austin, Dallas,
sherman, Denison, etc. To Vernon
= nd points in West Texas "a cents.
"A distance rate to these points would
leave Beaumont on the wrong side of
the garden wall. Last year
lumber was higher than now, but he
lid not think the reduction was due
20 any change in rates.
The commission asked him if lum-
Der was cheaper ten years ago, and he
said he thought not, although ten
years ago it was very cheap. A gen
tleman from Orange advanced the
statement that lumber was from $3.50
10 $500 hundred cheaper than now
Tine complaint of the merchants of
Bound Rock, quoted in THE STATES
RGAN some days ago, was now taken
up. The complaint set forth the
statement that class rates on mer.
chandise from Austin to Round Rock
we're more onerous than the
charges of the OK cart transporta.
ton of olden times imposed upon the
people. Exorbitant rates on cotton
and grain to Galveston and East Texas
we're also alleged. Seventy cents or
cotton to Galveston, and $1.20 to New
England presented a disparity in thu
difference between the rate and tn,
distance hauled which the Round Rocl
gentleman called to the attention of
the commission, and expressed the
opinion that the rate to Galveston wa,
under the circumstances an unjust
one.
Mr.. Mays, one of the Round Rock
merchants, appeared before the COM
mission on behalf of the people Of
hat place, and handled their case
plost happily. Particularly he i'm
pressed upon the commission
and the roads the necessity o.
reduced rates on corn to the eastern
tIarkets of Texas and on lumber il
return. This point however, was bu
briefly discussed. The gentleman
wore quite an audible expression o
the latent amiability lying AROUND
loose in the anatomy Of the average
railroad man when he recited tn,
Kramer in which the railroad stole TIN
town of his affection some years ago
BE told how PLAUSIBLE gentleman
came to the town, promised to locat
tre depot at an advantageous site
got the right of way, and that wa
the last seen of him" (Here the gen
tleman smiled) Next came three O
four smooth talking fellows with slicl
twostory silk hats (another smile.
They would not be guided by thu
promises of the man they admitte,
was their agent, and they located tn
depot mile away. This time it wa
Il laugh.) And so the town was re
moved, that is nearly all. The MAJ
nstor had not moved yet, but expec
et he might have to. Everbod
IAughed and Mr.. Mays good natu
dly joined in.) He next told how col
-sNld at 10 or 10 cents a bushel
f.aund Rock and brought 80 cents
lsun, ye5 they couldn't sell ROM
oek Corn ia Austin on account
dgh rates, and when asked Wit