The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-09
RAILROAD RATE CUTTING.
important Disclosures Before Inter
state Commerce Commission


Chicago. Aug. s-Tne interstate com
rasree commission finished its labors n
C1tcago today. The investigation Of the
western pool may be taken I'D CO an en-
iarge5 scale later on. which VIII be de-
tsTEn3rled az Washington city when the
documentary evk1ence called for has
been received The Inquiry into the re-
consgr81g grain practice al the Missouri
river may De continued al Kansas City
next week At today's netting the attor-
aeys for the Great Western made Vice
President Morton. OF The Santa Fe,
acknowledge that The true rate from Mis-
souri, river points 20 New York on export
shipments Was IL cents lower on the Chi
eago haul than the balance rate TO Chr
eago. Mr. Morton also acknowledged that
his road brought a Shipment Of grain
from Kansas City 10 C-acago at the low
export rate. but that the sTain went into
an elevator. where II remained,
Referring 70 che hearing which has been
in progress during the past week before
the Interstate commerce. commission. w.
II. Truesdale. vice president and general
manager OF the Chicago. Rock Island &
Pacific railroad. says: The evidence de-
veloping at The hearing IS in many respects
the most remarkable and unique OF any
that has been brought out az any hear
ing Of the board since its existence. The
transactions testified TO by President
Stickney showed the grossest bad faith
on the part of his road. and the most ut
ter disregard OF agreements between the
officials OF his line and those OF other
Western railways. that has come 20 my
knowledge In my railway experience. The
officials Of the Western railways, "a well
a. the owners thereof. viii De greatly tn
teresaed 10 learn what position she In
terstate commerce commission. the courts
and authorities OF the state OF Illinois
-
whether Il Is legal and within the charter
cd powers OF railway corporation to err
ganize companies FOR the purpose OF en-
aeling a railway 10 carry on grain
business. II IL shall be determined thar
the railway companies can lawfully en-
gage in merchanting in this manner. and
II Is going TO be necessary for the large
transportation companies OF this country
in order to secure for shipment over their
respective lines share OF those eommodi-
ties which form the bulk OF the traffic OF
these lines to organize outside companies
that shall buy and sell for account OF
the railway companies. grain, -four, dress
ed meats. packing house products. coal,
etc, condition OF affairs is going 10 be
speedily brought about in this country
with respect to methods OF transacting
railway and other business. the effects OF
which can be readily imagined IL not very
accurately foretold. Such condition OF
affairs would sooner or later bring about
such q result as would make all previous
Determinations In freight rates appear in
significant indeed. and open UP opportuni-
ties for pecuiation. fraud and nismanaze-
ment IN the handling Of the railway inter-
ests OF this country such as have never
been afforded or taken advantage OF in
this country. 1 believe 1t would be TO
the interest OF the public at large and the
investors in railway securities and 10 the
interest OF honest and fair dealing as be-
tween man and man. 70 put a stop to such
transactions. as we'll as 10 the othsr r.
regularities testified to at this hearing