The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-06-12


In reply to q question from Mr.
Clement, the commissioner, Mr.. Will
liams said the lands used sold at from
so to $50 an acre. He said he posi-
bly, made expenses on his melons last
season.
Mr.. c. II. Mathis. of Barnwell
county, was the next witness. He was
very intelligent witness.
Mr.. Mathis said that the same land
planted two years in succession did not
do we'll. He had heen in the business
for seven years. He told of 45 car
loads he had, on which his total loss
was S46l.S7. He said the cause of the
loss, SO far as he conld see, was the ex-
cessive freight charges. He said that
more than $4,000 pounds had to be
put in car to make it salenble car
load. The excess charges now put on
eat up the profits. Some cars went
through on schedule time, while others
were sometimes delayed ten days,
causing the melons to spoil. He had
never known n railroad company to
refund the freight on such delayed
cars, and it was total loss. He had
put in claims only to have them un-
noticed. The growers loaded the
melons and the commission men un-
loaded them. In handling cotton the
railroads loaded it. He presented
some figures, showing the profits md
losses on the business for some years.
The season usually opened on July 10,
and continued through August.
Mr.. Paul j. Zeigler of Allendnle, one
of the largest melon growers, then took
the stand. represented some striking
tnbulRted statements. His firm lost
from $4,000 to 5000 on the 200 car
loads shipped last year. Last August
he had paid MS high as $34 81 per car
load in freight than was realized.
Some cars had been delayed causing
total loss. They had bought melons in
radius of 40 miles from other grow
ers. He usually put one wagon load
of straw in car. a few days differ
ence i'll the haudling of the melons
made no difference if they were pro-
perly handled. This years crop
acreage is about40 per cent. lower than
that of last year. In some instances
the excess charges were as much Us the
whole freight bill.
The commission then took recess
till 1 o'clock for dinner. After dinner
Judge Henderson wanted to know if
any testimony would be taken before
the commission when it returned to
Washington. Objection was raised to
this on the ground that it would be too
expensive for the compainants' wit
nesses to 60 to Washington. 1t was,
therefore, decided to take MI the testi-
mony before an adjournment was mad.
Mr.. Barron wanted the case dis
missed on the ground that no particu-
lar instance had been proven where
the alleged excessive rates were
charged, and because all the evidence
against the alleged rate was of sup
positions character. Then he asked
that his system be eliminated from the
record.
Judge Henderson was desirous of
having the case dismissed because on
its face rate was being attacked that
was not really of force.
Then Mr.. Emerson of the Coast Line
took the stand and gave the side of the
railroads in the matter. lie explained
very fully the system of prepaying
charges on melons. The excess charged
WAS nothir~ new. The carload rate
was fixed for 24, 900 pounds, and all
above thatin weight was charged up Mt
the proportionate rate. This was donc
in the case of all commodities. 10
ship less than n carload meant the i'm
position Of higher rate. When the
running time OF freight train was de-
creased thut meant the increase OF the
expenses; fewer cars had to be carried
and heavier engines had to be used.
Mr.. Emerson could not give the figures
showing this increase. The road handl-
ing this freight was liable in many re-
spccts and the wreckinS OF car meant
the paying for the contents. He
thought the melon rate today was too
low 10 bear its proportionatc share of
the expenses. y reduction of about
three cents per hundred has been
made on melons in tue last few years.
The rate sheets were usually issued
after the melon crop had been planted.
Mr.. Emerson stated tbnt costly Ven
tilated cars had been put on Just for the
henciit of the growers. He fully ex-
pla:ned the melon tariff sheets. The
melon shipping service was distinctly
u special service in al respects
Receiver Avcrlll, Of the Port Royal
and Augusta line, then took the stand.
He had had much experience in hand
hing melons on his road. Additional
side-tracks had to be put in, and they
had cost his road about $3, 500. The
regular side tracks were practically
useless for the purpose OF handling
melon cars. Again, melon trains had
70 be limited to 20 cars. On level
road it took 30 per cent. more fuel to
run the train. The melon growers
would not use the old style cars. Cars
were frequently loaded on the main
lire In order t. hrln the nrnwcrs ont