The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-07-23
THE RAILWAY COMMISSION

ABSORBS A BIG FUND OF KNOWLEDGE
AND HASrENS BACK HOME.
DALLAS, Tex, July 21,-The ses-
sion of the State Railway Commission
to-day was largely attended. In ad.
dition to the Dallas people there were
delegates from Kaufman, Terrell,
Forney and Mesquite. The proceed
iugs throughout were marked with
considerable interest and the commits
sion loaded with enough information
it seems to last a month.
Mr.. Barlew, of the Dallas steam
cracker factory, which operates a
$4,000 plant, was the the first to ap-
pear before the commission. He de
sired rate enabling the factory to
enter the Texas trade or an equal foot
ing with st, Louis.
Mr.. Frank Cockrell, of the Dallas
elevator company and the Cockrell
milling company aided the commission
on the subject of grain rates
Senator R. s. Kimbrough, represent
ing the cotton interest of Terrell,
reason of what they believed to be a
discrimination in favor of Kaufman by
a reduction in rates of about 20 cents
bales last year, Forney about 5000, and
Mesquite between 500 and 1000 bales
of cotton. They asked that this be
investigated and corrected The pub
lished rates, he stated, were the same
between the towns named.
Mr.. Eastwood, of Wills Point, stated
that Mineola cotton is not worth more
than Wills Point cotton, yet last sea-
son it was Il fact Mineola paid more
for cotton han Wills Point. A mem
Der of the delegation stated that
Mineola secured rebate of thirty
five points, Senator KimOrough
stated uuat it is very easy matter to
evade the rebate law and throw the
rebate TO the consignee at the other
end OF the line.
w. 4. Mooney, in regard to special
rates, stated that he could not say
that special rates are given. but he
has reason to presume that they are.
Mr., Moneys position was that Dallas
should have the same rates on goods
originating on this side of the ALE
ghanies as Galveston, because there is
nc actual water competition.
Mr.. u. Cooper of Dallas county, IA
vored the petition of the Dallas Grain
Elevator company in regard to grain
rates. He called attention to the fact
that the Houston and East Texas road,
a narrow gauge, charges for transfer
of corn but charges nothing, or makes
a very nominal charge for transfer
ring lumber. Mr.. Cooper thought
blanket lumber rates opened the way
for competition which resulted in the
reduction in the price of lumber.
Mr.. Luckett, of the Fort Worth
Cracker company, represented COM
plaint similar to that made by the
Dallas manufacturers to the effect that
the local rates are too digh as com
pared with through rates, which pro-
hibits the Texas manufacturers from
competiting with outside manufact-
urers.
The investigation closed with Mr.
Luckett's statement. The commits
sioners go from here to Austin tonight,
and tomorrow they will hear a com,
plaint from the citizens of Victoria re-
garding the different passenger service
rates. Cotton, lumber, salt and grain
rateswill probably be fixed soon. 1t
is more than likely that blanket rates
will be established on some articles,
aud mileage rates on others. 1t is
veryevident that port shipping points
will retain their advantages enjoyed
by reason of the interstate commerce
law, but says Mr.. Foster, the trade of
thovnterior jobbing cities will be i'm
pre- led when itrests upon soma secure
well defined basis, instead of at pres
ent being dependent upon changes
liable to be made at any time by the
roads or their agents.