Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-08-09
THE GAZETTE. roRr WORTH TEXAS AUaUsT Is9

bardi. OF the firm OF W. d. Cleveland q
| Co OF Houston; w. NJ. Mitchell OF IN
man q Co, Houston; c. W. Blen' trhi-
| fc manager southern PaelDt system
AID the traffic Managers committee
Messr. Jones. Allen and Goodwin W.
d. Grogeclose OF Galveston, represent
ing .he Galveston cotton exchange
was present, having arrived yesterday
A. II o'clock Charm an Reagan an
nounced that the commission was
ready to hear further argument on the
differential question and Mr.. Z. W.
Blen introduced Mr.. c. lombard, VINO
has not heretofore appeared before the
commission since the late discussion OF
the ditfereitial question has been re-
opened.
MIR. lombard began by saying that
his tack was an ungracious one, as he
appeared IN the dual role of Houston
representative and the advocate OF his
own private interest.
He called TO mind that this question
was thoroughly discussed two years
ago and both Galveston and Houston
with diverse interests and both asking
for a different ruling by the commits
sion were present to urge their respect
i've claims; that after full and fair dis
cusslon a 7 cents differential was set
Altu upon anu llou1AOH utttpltu bldNt-
fully what the commission gave. Predi-
Gated upon Il figure that was thought
to be conclusive and fixed, Houston
had gone to work to build up her COM
mercial interests.
Mr.. Lombard stated that he had
been In the cotton business for twenty
five years, and after the differential OF
two years ago was fixed this firm has
invested In compress, warehouse,
switches and all the conveniences for
the economical handling of cotton the
sum Of $4,000.
Now, he said, after the Houston cltl-
zen had considered the question set
tied, doubt Is thrown upon the future
Of its business operations and the
matter reopened.
Mr.. Lanham spoke of the modern
and latest methods governing business,
and said that margins were much
smaller than they were years ago
hence profits were smaller This condl-
tion was seriously affected by the
late panic In financial circles, and to
add to all other embarassments comes
the shadow that is thrown over the
prosperity Of Houston by the differen-
tial uncertainties.
He spoke of his and other Houston
firms being loyal. law-ablding citizens.
who pay their taxes promptly and
III every way tuueuNOT 10 contribute
unto the states quletness. stability
Of conditions is what we want" said
he, and though Galveston has made
threat that she will not be content
until the dlfferentlal is entirely abol-
ished, we believe that the commission
VIII protect MS against such a danger
10 our commerce"
There was time, said Mr.. LON
burdi when Houston had her trade
beyond San Antonio and in the neigh
borhood Of Dallas and Fort Worth.
This she has lost, and her trade is
confined to more narrow limits, but
with such losses of territory Houston
did not complain, and did not come to
the railroad commission and ask that
conditions be established so that she
could regain what she has lost. No.
said he, she went 10 work within a
smaller radius, taking advantage of
business thrift and population, and has
achieved wonders In the development
of the resources in hand.
I'VE ask" said he, that the COM
mission now let us alone, and with
the rate already fixed after fair and
run hearing we will get along all
'You may be told by some who argue
against Houston that cotton has been
taken from Houston to Galveston"
said Mr.. lombard, "at lower rate
than prescribed In the dlfferentlal.
This may be true. Certain individual
or Isolated cases may occur, but these
are mere exceptions that do not come
under the general rule and such state
ments or arguments should not in
nuence this body"
When Mr.. Lombard closed his re-
marks Commissioner Foster put the
following question:;
I'm speaking of the cost OF transpor-
tation from Houston TO Galveston do
You refer to the cost of handling cot
ton between the two points as an orig
inal shipment from Houston or TO the
additional cost for the extra service
Houston to Galveston on a through
shipment from the INTERIOR"
Mr., Lombardrs reply was that he
to the cost OF handling cotton
from Houston to Galveston when ship
ped out of Houston proper,
Mr.. w. NJ. MITCHELL representing In
man a Co, followed Mr.. lombard
and addressed himself to the subject
OF the prices OF cotton In Houston.
which VIII be affected 10 the dlminution
of the 7 cents differental, deduciine
the price that Houston buyers will be
able to give. He produced letters writ
Ten 10 certain brokers in Galveston
ON the subject Of the damage done 10
cotton while remaining on the wharS
and an answer from one OF them.
whose name was not given, admitting
the damage done.
Mr.. Mitchell claimed that Insurance
rates would also be increased by rea-
son Of this wharf damage. lie read
a letter from one of the large com
panies with which his firm had deal
This ended the morning.
the commission heard argument this
afternoon by W. b. Gloseclose against
WY ulnerential between Houston and
Galveston and questioned closely h,,
Messrs Bein, Mitchell, Nivell and Gar.
row. Freight Traffic Representative
tones Goodwin and Allen insisted that
there should be no reduction OF Inc
earnings OF the railroads because they
are already losing money.