The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-08

Long and Short Haul, and the Like
How Competing Lines Upset Him.
Washington, March AT the Pacific
railroad hearing today Mr.. Huntington
asserted that the average local rates in
California were as low as in any other
part of the world. notwithstanding the
expense of operating the roads was pro-
portionateIy much greater.
Mr.. Huntington said that he never
had heard that freights intended for
points short Of San Francisco had been
carried on 10 San Francisco, thus COM
polling shippers to pay the freight back
70 the local points. There had been
complaints. however, Of higher rates for
a short haul than for a long haul, but
this was unavoidable when the end OF
the long haul was at tidewater, bring
ing the road into competition with the
water traffic. He admitted that when
the Central Pacific started first there
Were some complaints among Shippers
along the line of the road from the east
that they were compelled to pay rates
equal 10 what they would be II their
goods were shipped 10 San Francisco
and then back and they demanded that
# such rates should be charged, the
roads should carry the freight twice.
PLEDGED TO CUT RATES.
Senator Morgan asked if the Califor-
MA railroad commission had not taken
cognizance Of this discretion in favor OF
the long haul, and Mr.. Huntington re-
piled that the commission ha d been
elected on a pledge 10 cut rates % per
cent. but the question had been taken
into the courts and would be settled
there.
Senator Morgan-"You contest, then,
the right OF California to exercise this
authority"
Mr.. Huntington-'T deny the authority
Of the state Of California or anybody
else 70 take my property without Civ
ing me due cOnsidera ton. l said that
even the commission has not the right
10 forfeit my property, and don't be-
iieve il will"
Senator Morgan entered into a long
examination Of Mr.. Huntington as to
the rates on fruit and the distribution
Of the business between the two COM
panies, with especial reference to the
shipments 10 the Mississippi valley mar
kets Mr.. Huntington said the great
er part Of the fruit shipped to these
state from southern California was
sent over the Southern Pacific and the
Central Pacific in preference to sending
entirely over the Southern Pacific. as
might be done, but he did not know why
this was done. He did not explain why
the Southern Pacific should receive 81
per cent Of the amount paid, unless il
was because the Southern Pacific had
the expense Of gathering and handling
the fruit. Fruit shipments were expen-
stve because of the necessity Of carry
ing large quantities Of ice. The green
fruit transportation did not cut any
great figure in the railroad business, he
declared. In reply to questions as to
his disposal of stock in the Southern
Pacific, Cthe Kentucky corporation) Mr..
Huntington said he had never sold any
OF Il a [ any price.
RAILROAD LAND GRANTS.
Speaking Of the land grants of the
Central Pacific, Mr.. Huntington said
IL amounted to about 100000 acres, but
most of il was in western Utah and Ne
Vada, and was Of but little value. He
said the company had so far realized
less than s, 900. 900 on the land grant.
he said that all the companies in which
he was interested had received from
the government in grants about 16,000,-
600 acres in land.
When Senator Morgan asked what
had been done with the proceeds of the
land sold. Mr.. Huntington said it had
been used in building up the road.
What else were We to do with it?''
he asked. and added the building OF
the Central Pacific railroad was the
dearest piece of railroad work ever done
In America
An interesting episode occurred at
this juncture. Senator Morgan was
pressing an inquiry as 10 what Mr..
Huntington thought of the PattisOn re-
port. and asked him, if in anything that
the report was incorrect, he meant to
lmpeach the character Of the members
Of the commission
Senator Frye protested against the
question. saying that he did not think it
a fair question.
Il don't care what you think it is, or
what Mr.. Huntington thinks I am try
ing 10 get it." replied Mr.. Morgan.
4 don't want Senator Morgan TO say
that" said M. Frye.
The senator has no right to plunge
into the midst Of a question by me ad-
dressed - the witness. l don't regard
that as polite treatment.
i contend" said Mr.. Frye, that the
senator has no right 10 examine the wit
ness as 10 whether he impeaches the
character Of any man"
senator Gear. who was presiding.
said that every member Of the commit
tee was here on an equal footing, and
every member must be treated with
equal propriety and comfy.
Mr Morgan said that II the chairman
meant 10 say that he had no right 10
put the question he would appeal 10 the
senate
NEVER OWNED \ LOBBY.
The incident dropped with that and
the examination went on. In reply TO
questions. Nj Huntington said that he
had never kept a lobby in Washington
or elsewhere, in the usual acceptance
a. that term. 70 promote the interests
OF his road. but that he had always had
trusted men. lawyers and others, 10 ex-
plain legislation and TO protect his in
terests. and that the outlay from the
first on this account, in the national
ana state capitals. had amounted 70
about $1,000. coo. Mr.. Morgan asked II
M Huntington was pursuing that plan
70 procure legislation which he was now
seeking - obtain.
de replied that he was doing most OF
the work now himself. Nevertheless
t-@re were Sill some expenses. He
said ne mad always employed men in
this work whom he could trust.
1t i case said Senator Morgan,
''of trust and say nothing case in
which Facts removes mountains"
Mr. MoTgans examined N-. Hunting
ton a. length as TO contracts with shin
pers On rebates and other purposes look
ing 10 these matters. He said. however
that the rebate system was legitimate
COST OF THE ROAD.
At 2:45 o'clock MI Morgan announced
that he had concluded his examination
OF the witnesses and the committee Id
journed until next Friday. In Closing.