The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-08
HEARD IN COURT Today.
The Consolidated Before the
Interstate Commission.
EGG CRATES CAUSE TROUBLE.
Charges That Too High Rates Are
Made for Return Cases--A Contract
Suit Begun--The Docket for Feb
ruary %.

DaNiu a. WaiurOn, real estate dealer,
was made the defendant in q contract case
today before Judge Wilbur. The com
plainants are Andrew Winsor & Co. who
charge that Waldron is indebte to
them in the sum of S2f66
Tor orders on contract, while
fees and costs bring the amount asked for
up TO 20 900. The case has been on for
four years and Waldron has never shown
any disposition to settle.
Interstate Commerce Case.
The Rhode Island Egg and Butter Co.,
w. w. Whipple and George Nj. Griffin,
all OF this city, began an action today In
the court in chambers before Judge w. G..
Neazey of Vermont, member of the Inter-
state Commerce Commission, against the
Lake Shore& Michigan Southern Railway,
the Michigan Central Railroad, the New
York Central and Hudson River Rail-
road, the Boston and Albany Railroad and
the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad companies. The
are engaged in the purchase and sale of
eggs in crates from Chicago. That Janu-
ary 2, 1883, the respondents made a freight
classification called "official classification
No. H." wherein egg carriers and
cases are denominated es of the
first-class. That this classification super
seded the classification of April /, 1892,
known as "Ofhcial Classification, No. TO-"
wherein "egg cases and carriers new" are
made first-class, and soldn are second
class. That the rate on new cases was So
cents per 100 lbs, and So cents on third
rate or "old' cases TO Chicago.
That the transferral OF third class cases
to first class makes the return shipment TO
consignors unjust and unreasonable.
That the discrimination against the
complainants is unjust and unreasonable.
That the discrimination is in violation
of the act made and provided for such
cases to regulate rates.
The complaipants further allege that
points west of Chicago are also involved
and suggested that notice of tendency of
these proceedings be given TO the several
carriers who have adopted classification
No. IL.
The New York Central and the Michi-
gan Central railroad companies were rep
resented by Attorney c. f. Gill of New
York City, and the complainants by
Stephen A. Cooke and &. II. Aversion.
Mr.. Aversion stated i'm response TO a
question of the Court, that the change
from third to first class of
old crates destroys the value
of the crates in Providence, as for the
difference new crates may be purchased.
The cases cost from 10 to IL cents apiece
in the West II adds from 4 To y cent
per dozen TO the cost OF eggs under the
present rate.
The New York, New Haven & Hartford
Company filed its reply stating that it did
not know the Rhode Island Egg and But
ter Company, and would admit the first
allegation.
1t also admits the third allegation ex-
cept that the new and ola crate rates are
75 and 80 cents respectively instead of 50
and So cents.
1t admits the change of classification,
but denies that the rate is unreasonable,
Ii also sets forth that the compensation
of car load haul from Providence To
Worcester, where it turns the consign-
ment over to the Boston and Albany, Is
only $3.50 car, barely enough TO pay for
the service.
Evidence for both sides was taken and
the case will be reported to the commas
sion by Judge Veazey.
Docket for Feb. 81.