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

mission shall be denied admission.
(b) The chairman and each of the
commissioners, for the purpose men
toned in this act, shall have power to
administer all oaths, certify to all
official acts, and to compel the atten-
dance of witnesses and the production
of papers, way bills, books, accounts,
documents and testimony, and to pun.
ish for contempt as fully as is provided
by law for the district or county court.
Now l would like to see the commits
sion adopt rule in order that those
who are here in other than railroad
interests may be enabled in a fair and
legitimate way to cross-question those
who may offer testimony"
Judge Reagan reflected q moment
and then said: ave have not adopted
any rule yet because we wished these
proceedings to go forward in an in
formal, yet satisfactory manner, We
have been seeking information and
have been asking questions with that
end in view. No one has
been put on their oath as we have de-
pended on the probability of their
statements as criterion by which to
fudge of their worth. We have per-
mitted the questioning of all speakers
by whoever might desire information,
and the questions have been answered,
generally. However, we will take the
matter under advisement and discuss
the question as to the adoption OF
rules"
A recess was then taken for two
hours.
AFTER THE RECESS.
1t was after o'clock when the COM
mission and the railroad men again
put in their appearance, and when
they did come every one came fiutter-
ing fan or Topping hat before his
face.
Among the recent rivals are ". V.
Newlin, general freight agent of the
Fort Worth and Denison; J. E. Gal
braith, general freight agent of the |
International and Great Northern
and j. 6. Shriever, traffic manager of
the Southern Pacific.
The session being called to order the |
chairman stated that the commission |
to Mr. Gresham's suggestion to the |
so very soon if necessary. Meantime
the commission could see no objection
to any pertinent question which
might be asked, and they hoped all
such would be answered.
Mr. Drake, of Austin, addressed the
gathering on the subject of lumber,
saying he believed the lumber dealers
of the state were satisfied with the
manner of handling tariff as now ex-
isting. A wide range of markets was
better for the dealer as giving him a
better chance for selection. Pound
rates would work a disadvantage.
Distances should be equalized by the
rates.
Chairman Reagan declared his ina.
Oility to decide whether the gentle
nan appeared in behalf of the rail
roads or of the consumers, whereupon
Mr.. Drake stated that he appeared
simply and solely at his own instance
and as lumber yard man. He OPP
posed a rate per pound per mile. Such |
a rate might give him cheaper lum- |
Der in Austin but it would work a |
hardship on lumber in the Pan Han
die.
The gentlemen ceased, and again
the chairman called for information
and stated that information was what
the commission was after. They did
not propose to establish set of rates
for the gentlemen to criticize. The
proper notice had been given, the
commission would accept all the light
the railroads might give them, and if
information was not furnished, and
the commission was compelled at
length to act without it, then the con-
sequences be upon those who failed to
give that information.
Mr.. Bartholomew asked If the
roads were not to know the rates
adopted until they were decided on
and the time for their going in force
fixed. That was just what he had
hoped to guard against.
Chairman Reagan replied that he
could not answer as to that yet,
though he would repeat that the com.
mission did not propose to make rate
for criticism.
Mr.. Newlin addressed the commits,
sion on the merits of the matters
before the gathering, offering many
valuable suggestions.
Mr.. Ridley furnished the commits
sion with sworn abstracts of the books
of the Houston and Texas Central,
showing their earnings above actual
operating expenses to be $675, 900 for
1886, $l75,00O for 1887, $685., 1000 for 1888,
100000 for 1889, 1888, 900 for 1890.
Mr. Lovett, attorney for the Texas
Pacific, addressed the commission at
length, stating that all the roads
wanted was an opportunity to be
heard when rates should be made
materially affecting individual roads.
Chairman Reagan stated that if the
logic. of system of rates which gave
ali points in Texas the same rates were
allowed to proceed it would result in
the loss of all the ocean traffic belong
ing to Texas by right of its extent Of
sea coast.
Mr.. Parsons, president of the Lone
Star Salt works of Dallas, again came
before the commission on the salt
question, and for some time stood
CALLING cross fire of questions from
every man in the room who coulc
think of anything to say to which III
could append an interrogation point
Mr.. Bartholomew, as representing
the various railroad interests presented
to the commission form for sched
ule of rates for Texas, embracing com
| ,,odit;ac q pr0ductS of the farm