The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-12
FREIGHT RATE HEARING.
INrFRsTArH COMMERCE COMMIs-
NION LoOnTNG INIO THE ALLLGED
Discrimination Against New York In Favor
Of Norfolk, Newport Ncw', AMI Phiia-
dc phia -Ihs Testimony.


PHILADELPHIA May 1.-THE hear
ana before tnc Interstate Commerce Com
mission OF the freight dlncrcntials case.
I'm wnicn tnc sew YORK Produce FIX
change cnargcs that the existing diner
ent.ai freight rates ON gram. flour and
provisions from the west are disadVan-
tagcous 90 New York and unduly favor
Baltimore. Philadelphia Norfolk. and
Newport News was resumed tn4s mOIn-
ina. William h. Tucker, secretary OF the
Philadelphia Board OF Trade. who is also
a member of the Board OF Port Wardons
and of the llarhOr Commission. was the
first witness. TO illustrate the claim of
the Philadelphia commercial interests
that the increased freight carrying busi-
ness and The increased export trade OF
this city has been the natural rcsul. Of
improved waterway facilities. Mr.. Tuck
or explained what had been done toward
the harbor facilities in the past twenty
years.
These increased facilities. he said. had
led the steamship companies and .ndi-
Ni0ual owners Co greater activity In Sc
curing business for their vessels
TIE RELATIVE ADVANTAGES.
Lawrence johnson of the hrm of Law
rcncc Johnson * Co. general merchants
81 this city testified regardiI the relative
advantages Of the TWO ports OF New York
and Philadelphia.
When asked by Mr.. Herman, who repre-
SCENTS the New York Produce Exchange,
whether or not he exported grain from
southern ports. he explained that he did
not. because Of the inability 10 &c; the
quantities he needed Of red winter wheat
at any other point excepting New York.
Mr. Johnson was the first witness TO be
directly questioned by members Of the
commission. Ia reply 10 questions from
the commissioners. DE said Cargoes from
South America and also from the East
indies, can be brought 10 New Ork and
then rc-shppcd 20 Philadelphia much
cheaper than the same cargOes could be
sent directly 20 Philadelphia.
Frank L. Neal. a member OF the ship
ping firm of Peter Wright & Sons. was
examined at length in reference TO ship
ping business OF New York and Philadel-
phia. lie said the steamer connections
Of Philadelphia and South American
points were insignificant as compared
with New York. Samuel Bell. Jr.. Phil
adelpha -four merchant. and who is also
= director Of the Washburn Crosby Com
pany. OF Minneapolis. stated that the
portion OF produce Of the Western mill
which is exported IS about equally d.
vided in its shipment between the ports Of
Philadelphia and New York
~. r.. Parr of the firm Of 7. y. Parr
q Son. of Baltimore. exporters of grain.
testified that his firm has shipped about
% per cent. OF their export business from
Baltimore and Philadelphia. In reply 10
a question. be said. that IL the differen-
tial rate from the west be withdrawn his
firm at Baltimore would be obliged to 90
out OF business.
LIMITED FREIGHT FACILITIES.
Edward Borker. OF Philadelphia. con-
nected with the firm of Gill x Fisher.
grain importers. which firm does Dusl-
ness IN both Baltimore and Philadei-
pha. testified at some length regarding
the relative conditions of the shipping
business OF New York and Philadelphia.
Re said Philadelphia was embarrassed
by its limited ocean freight facilities ana
that berth rates were therefore higher
and more difficult TO obtain at PhiadeI-
phia than at New York.
Robert Ramsey treasurer OF the BaftI-
more Chamber Of Commerce who is con-
nected with the steamship lines IN that
city. said there was practically no COM
parisOn Of Baltimore with New York,
either in the number or size OF steamers.
lie said the removal of the existing dii-
fcrential rate would necossitate the with
drawal Of the steamers now plying be-
tween Baltimore and foreign ports.
Messrs. Petit and Fisher the attorneys.
respectively. for Philadelphia and Balu-
more. then announced that they had prac-
tcally closed and would present no otner
witnesses.
MT Herman. attorney for the New YORK
Produce Exchange stated that he would
require some little time TO look over the
statistical documents which had been SUBJ
mtted before he can make intelligent re-
ply 10 them. If any were found necessary.
and he suggested a postponement until
June 10th.
Chairman Morrison stated that the COM
mission would be engaged I'm anoher mat
ter at that time. Then. after the MEM
beers Of the commission had held a bret
consultation. Chairman Morrison an
nounced q postponement until May 2Uth,
AZ Washington. ID. g., where the com
mission viii take such further testimony
as may be offered and hear argunRnt OF
counsel
N "