The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-10-02
II REPLY FROM REAGAN.
cent Charges Made Are Most Wig
orously Denied.
ETRoL OF THE WHARF COMPANY
= Never Been Presented--The
wharf Company's Tracks Are Not
CIassed ms a Railroad.

lustin, Texas. October In reply to
rges that he voted against putting
Galveston Wharf company under COM
eion control. voted against putting ex-
s companies under lower tariff and
ID against reduction Of so cents
he rate charged per bale for the trans
ation of cotton. Judge Reagan gave
the following today:
fhe question Of putting the wharf com
under commission control has never
before the commission. The question
b whether the commission has jurisdic-
over the Wharf company railroad
presented some time ago and my posi-
In that matter is expressed In the
bwing opinion delivered by me Mt Tho
rhe respondent presents a plea denyinp
jurisdiction Of this commission in the
fters set forth In complainants petition,
Py witnesses have been examined on
plea. and the question has been dis
eed by counsel with marked ability.
Five main lines OF railroad enter the
OF Galveston from the interior of the
fe. to-wit: The Galveston. Houston
Henderson railroad, the Gulf. Colorado
Santa Fc railway. the International
Great Northern railroad, the Missouri
hsas and Texas railway OF Texas and
Calvcston, La Porte and Houston rail-
4. Each OF these railroads has its own
primal facilities at the end OF IT'S track
Galveston. separate and distinct from
W harf company's track The Interna-
al and Great Northern ana the Mis-
fi Kansas and Texas roads using the
primal facilities Of the Galveston, Bous-
and Henderson railroad. in the city
galveston, by virtue of contract be-
en- these railroad companies The roads
ne named have their station building.
let and freight offices. side tracks. turn
switches. turntables. in fact every
u necessary to complete their ter
al facilities, disconnected from and in
endent OF the Wharf company's road.
BY the act OF the legislature OF Texas.
Ped August A, 1870, entitled, AN act
pting TO the Galveston Wharf company
FRIGHT to make railroad connection with
wharves and the railroads entering
city of Galveston said Wharf COM
constructed the track of a railroad
pecting their wharves with the depots
lhe railroads which enter the city OF
eston. This track is some two miles
Pnsth. 1t has no depots. no ticket or
Fht offices, no engines or cars. moth
which pertains to a railroad, except
short track entirely within the city
galveston II was built to facilitate
to cheaper the transfer of commodities
merchandise between the depots of the
raj railroads and the company's
FYes, In pursuance OF wise and Judi
policy, and for the benefit OF all the
merce passing through that city.
y an arrangement between the Wharf
Pany and the railroads they are per-
ga to run their engines and cars over
Track of the Wharf company, in con-
ntion OF their paying to the Wharf
nny 81 for every car so run over their
This enables the railroads bringing
handise from the interior OF the State
ace 1t directly at the wharf for ship
!, and to receive merchandise intended
ne Interior OF the State at the wharves
put mourning the expense to the ship
and owners OF the merchandise of a
pate carriage between the depots OF the
raj railroads and the company's
yves. This has been OF great value to
commerce of this State by cheapening
Ifreight rates and by expediting its
age through that city. To illustrate
g3ruth Of this statement let us consider
lRfingle article of cotton. Before the
lNtruction OF the Wharf company's track
1Qst 10 cents per bale. and later cents
ne, TO carry 1t on drays between the
Us or the railroads and the wharves.
80 by the arrangement between the
- company and the railroad conpa-
Nh II car will carry nifty bales OF
essed cotton. which Is about the
&Per OF bales car will carry. 1t costs
lsfts bale. and that is not paid by
-
ID by tho railroad companies. So thai
this Arrangement the cotton from
Interior OF the State is placed imme-
" on the wharf ready for shipment
rates prescribed by this commission.
highest rate prescribed by 1t Is s3.25
300 pound bale. and this Is what 1t
costs the owners OF cotton; whereas
the Wharf company's track was
and the present arrangement made
would have been added to this rate
post OF drayage between the railroad
Is and the wharves. mostly 10, but
OF the time cents. nj bale. So that
ate. without the benefit of the Wharf
|any's track would be $685. or 1888
hese facts show that there Is no lust
pn for the harsh criticisms made by
sci ON the action of the Wharf COM
nor any Of the great dangers we are
led to guard the commerce OF the State
psf by retaining the jurisdiction Of this
at any time the Wharf company
"a attempt to use that corporation un-
y, and to the injury OF the public or
ndividuals. the legislature aud the
IS have ample power to correct such
IS and to punish the wrong doers.
may not be out Of place 10 state
Notwithstanding this commission has
In existence five years and 4 hsif. 1t
believed that the law required 1t to
the Galveston Wharf company road
oming within the class OF RAILROADS,
n 1t was empowered to regulate. And
on the goth OF January last. when tie
ton had been raised as to its Iurisiic-
oven that road. II gave its written
ION that under subdivision of section
OF our Revised Statutes. 1t had no