The times., 1897-03-19
THEY FAVOR OTHER PORTS.
Railroads Charged With Discrim
mating Against New York.

New York. March 1S.-The Interstate
Commerce Commission met again this morn
ing, and resumed the investigation Of the
charges Of discrimination against New
York made by the Produce Exchange
against the Joint Traffic Association.
Francis Il. ThUrber, chairman OF the com.
mittee on railroad transportation of the
New York Board of Trade and Transporta-
ton, was the first witness today. He
read statement, in which he said shippers
did not want low rates, that railroad rates
in this country were already tool low. What
shippers wanted, according to Mr. Thurber,
was uniform and stable rates, which he
declared could only be obtained by re-
peaiing the anti-pooIing clause in the inter
state commerce law.
+. E. Hadley, an exporter OF flour, said
that flour shipped to Europe was mainly
sent through Baltimore, Philadelphia aud
Newport News, the differentials being
in favor of these ports over New York.
George Il Blanchard, railroad com
missioner of the Joint Traffic Association,
was the next witness. He said that the
differentials existed when the Joint Traf-
fic Association was formed and the assn
citation had not changed them.
Traffic Association justified the differ
entails from lake ports OF 1-2 cents per
hundred pounds in favor of Baltimore aud
Philadeiphia IN the basis that it is the same
grain that would receive the full differ
ential If consigned from the point OF
origin in the West. 1t ought to he - pur-
poge OF the Joint Traffic Association, he
said, to make the conditions such that
grain from Chicago via the different
seaports can he laid down in Liverpool
at the same cost of transportation.
Counsel for the New York Central asked
If it was not the principal purpose OF his
association TO prevent undue preference
as between localities and individuals, end
the witness replied in the affirmative.
Henry Roper, member of firm Of
flour exporters, testified that his firm
shipped from ports outside OF New York
because it got better rates.
Charles +. SUMNER, of the Sumner line
of steamers, testified that, by reason OF
advantage given vessels sailing from
Southern poTts by the winter load line,
whereby they can load six or seven inches
deeper and Increase their earning powers
by $4,000 ON return trip voyage, vessels
would 90 To these Southern ports for their
cargo in preference TO taking il from more
Northern ports This winter load line was
a rule of the British board Of trade, which
prevents British vessels falling from points
north Of Newport News from loading as
deeply BY five to seven inches as in BaIti-
more, Newport News and Norfolk This
rule applies during the winter season, and
is factor in diyeTting commerce from
New York during that period
Capt. Dapey, the next witness, said he
was an Erie Canal bOatnan, engaged in
carrying merchandise bet ween Buffalo
and New York. Hetestified that elevator
charges at Buffalo were excessive and
hampered the business OF the port OF New
York.
If the Erie Canal only got fair show.
he said it could float the entire produce
OF the Northwest to the port OF New
York.
Lawyer LOomis, of the New York Cen
traI here said that he thought the evidence
brought forward the fact that the New
York Central had no control whatever
in regard to the differentials in favor Of
Philadelphia and baltimore. At this juno
tHFe an adjournment was taken until MAY
10, when the committee Will meet in
Philadelphia.