The herald., 1896-08-09
THE GROSSEST BAD FAITH
Shown by the Rock Island Railroad
Management
The Interstate Commerce Commission VIII
Investigate tho Matter When All
the Evidence Is at Hand

CHICAGO. Aug. S.-The interstate
commerce commission finished its la
bors in Chicago today. The investiga-
tion of the western pool may be taken
up on an enlarged scale later on, which
will be determined at Washington when
the documentary evidence called for
has been received. The inquiry into the
reconsigning grain practice at the Mis-
souri, river may be continued at Kansas
City next week. At Mondays meeting
the attorney for the Great Western made
Vice President Morton of the Santa Fe
acknowledge that the true rate from
Missouri river points to New York on
export shipments was IA cents lower
on the Chicago haul than the balance
rate to Chicago. Mr.. Morton also ac-
knowledged that his road brought
shipment of grain from Kansas City to
Chicago at the low export rate. but that
the grain went into an elevator, where
1t remained.
Referring to the hearing which has
been in progress during the past week
before the interstate commeraepresl-
mission MrrNfaH II nisnager of the Rock
Island railroad, said:
"The evidence developed at the hear
ing Is in many respects the most re-
markaple an unique of any that has
been brought out at any hearing held
since Its existence. The transactions
testified to by President Stickney show
ed the grossest bad faith on the part
of his road, and the most utter disre-
gard of agreements between the officials
or his line and those Of other western
railways that has come to my knowI-
edge in my railway experience. The
officials OF the western railways, as we'll
as the owners thereof, will be greatly
interested to learn what position the
interstate commerce commission, the
courts and authorities of the state of Illi-
nois will take with respect to the oues-
tion of whether it is legal and within
the chartered powers of railway cor
poration to organize companies for the
purpose of enabling a railway to carry
on grain business. If it shall be de-
termined that the railway companies
can lawfully engage in merchanting in
this manner and it is going to be neces-
sary for the large transportation compa-
MES of this country, in order to secure
for shipment over their respective lines
a share Of those commodities which form
the bulk of the trade of these lines, to
organize outside companies that shall
buy and sell for the account of the rail-
way companies, grain, flour, and dress
ed meats, packing house products, coal,
ETC., condition of affairs is going to 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 if not
very accurately foretold.
Such a condition of affairs would
sooner or later result as would make all
previous determinations in freight rates
appear insignificant indeed, and open
up opportunities for speculation, fraud
and mismanagement in the handling of
the railway interests of the country
such as has never been afforded or taken
advantage of in this country. 1 believe
it would be to the interest of the public
at large, the investors in railway Sc
curities and in the interest of honest and
square dealing as between man and man
man, to put a stop to such transactions
as well as to the other Irregularities tes-
titled to at this hearing"