The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-07-23
1T HAS A CONFAB WITH THE
SHIPPERS AT DALLAS.
MUCH TALK, LITTLE CIDER.
Mileage Rate LaboriOusly Discussed
Dallas Wants II Fair Show For
Her White Alley.

DALLAS, Tex, July 20.-The state
railway commissioners met this morn
ing in the city council chamber to
hear Dallas shippers on the situation
regarding freight rates. Among the
shippers present were James Maroney,
j. B. Simpson, j. s. Armstrong, T..
A. McEnnis, o. K. Harvey, Jno. H.
Taylor, Mr.. Huey and Phillips
and J. NJ. Reagan. The railway rep
resentatives were George Turner and
Judge Lovett, of the Texas q Pacific;
J. w. Steere, of the Santa Fe and D.
R. Fawcett, OF the Pacific Express
Company. Other shippers and specu-
lators entered while the investigation
was going on.
Maroney was the first to take the
stand. He addressed the commission
on the embarrassment of Dallas ship
pers by reason of the operations of the
interstate commerce law under which
goods are shipped from New York to
Galveston for less than they are
shipped from New York to Dallas.
Summing then, the whole problem
up, Mr.. Maroney's position was not in
line with mileage rates througho
Mr.. J. S. Armstrong, wholesale gro-
cery merchant, and president of the
Dallas Dressed Beef and Packing Com
pany, opposed the milage rates.
Judge Reagan said that the com
mission could not establish rates with
reference to giving one place advant-,
age over another. He intimated that
the same uniform rate would have to
apply to every part of the state.
Mr.. o. K. Harry said he didn't want
a mileage tariff but he desired to be
placed on an equal footing with the
rest of the world. He explained how
the interstate commerce law operates
to kill manufacturing in Texas.
Judge Reagan said that it was very
clear that Texas factories were being
crushed out and the commission de-
sired to correct that as far as possible,
but they could not fully accomplish 1t
without the assistance and cooperation
of the railroads. They control the
interstate tariff, something the state
commission cannot touch. The extent
of relief, he said, depends on the ex-
tent of the cooperation OF the rail-
roads. In reply to another point Judge
Reagan said he always had an idea
that some people should not pay the
freight bills of others, but it seemed tt
not be practicable idea in railroad
life.
Business was resumed in the Afternoon
bv the consideration of an application
from the Texas Paper Mill compan!
for a change in their classification o.
their product to enable them to com
nete with competitors outside of the
State. Judge Reagan said the applica
tion would receive attention as soon al
the commission returns to Austin.
Mr.. Davis asked for an explanation
of the term mileage rate, and Judge
Reagan replied that if mileage rates
were contemplated they should be
uniform,
The rate from Galveston to Wichita
Falls, 444 miles, is 70 cents, while from
Dallas it is the same, and Mr.. Davis
asked that if rates could not be SC
arranged that Dallas can enter into
competition with Galveston.
Judge Reagan replied that he saw
no way to abolish the ocean, and they
would have to deny the people the al
vantage of water contiguity If they
adopted the plan proposed py Mr.
MIR. Davis thought tn, system OF
common points hoped by the railways
preposterous. In lieu thereof be
wonld suggest local tariff rates in
order to bring Galveston and Dallas
into competition. 49,,
Can't. Thos F. McEnnis, speaking
tor the grain trade, asked for storage
in transit rates, such are as enjoyed
by Kansas City. o.
Hon. John H. Cochran spoke fol
the mileage basis of grain rates. rms
would ena BILE the farmers to store thell
grain and draw money upon 1t at
reasonable rate of interest.
Judge Lovett. speaking in reply tt
the proposition for mileage rates OF
grain, commended that the present al
! iustInent of rates was for the best IN
ierest of the Texas farmers, and NJ
thought it Just to the miller and thu
grain buyer.
]. D. Carter thought that whea
might be concentrated like cotton. by
the road refunding the local freig;h.
when final shipment is made: He dlt
not think it practicable to divert TIT
product from the initial road. -,
Capt. McEnnis stated that the road
refused to grant that, and besides n
thought it would be impracticable, De
cause grain is often shipped in on tW'
different lines.
Before adjourning until tomorroV
morning Chairman Reagan stated ina
grain, cotton, lumber and salt woult
be taken up in the morning and tina
all parties who desired to be hearc
should present themselves as tomor'
row will be the last day the eommis
sion will be held in Dallas. -
nrv I'M