The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-01
THE COMMISSIONS LETTER.
Judge Mann Gives the Document to
the Public.

the Public.
Galveston, Texas, August 31.-Judge
Mann today made public the letter written
him recently by the railway commission
in regard 10 carrying the ocean rate war
into the Federal courts under the Sherman
antitrust law. 1t Is as follows:
To the Hon. Joseph McKenna, Attorney
General of the United States, Washing
ton, ID. c.:
Austin Texas, August 2O.-Thc under
signed railroad commissioners Of the State
CT Texas are charged by the laws OF said
Stal-e with the maging, regulating and
maintaining of freight rates and passenger
fares in said State, but they have no juris-
Gic,ion OF such rates and fares on COM
merce between the several States. They
are advised and believe that rate war
IS going on between certain steamship lines,
engaged in the carrying trade OF interstate
commerce between the port OF New York.
In the State OF New York. and the port
OF Galveston, in the State Of Texas. to-wlt:
What is known as the Mallory line and
the Lone Star line OF steamships; thaA the
rate war between these two steamship lines
has resulted in ruinous reduction of
freight rates between the above named
ports, reducing such rates below what will
compensate them for the service they rem
it's influence what is known as the Nor
gan line of steamships, doing carrying
trade of interstate commerce between the
ports OF New York and New Orleans; said
Morgan line of steamships rs owned and
controlled by what Is known as the South
ern Pacific system of railroads. That sys-
tenn Of railroads Is doing business OF
carrying interstate and State commerce in
the States OF Louisiana and Texas. That
Eail 10 mr. N
freight rates to and in the State OF Texas :;
that tho decentralization Of freight rates Is
likely, IL not soon arrested, to produce a
like Generalization of freight rates In the
States and Territories north and west OF
Texas: that the effect of this demorabiza-
ton of rates. II 1t goes on, must of neces-
sity prove greatly injurious to the railroads
Of Texas and produce much confusion in
the business OF the State affected by 1t.
We are further advised that one OF the
steamship lines engaged in this rate war Is
engaged in an effort to drive another
steamship line out OF the trade between
New York and Galveston, and to thereby
secure a monopoly Of that trade and the
power to levy excessive rates on the ship
ments of merchandise between said ports
Of New York and Galveston, to the great
injury of the people of the State, of Texas
end to those OF the States and Territories
north and west of Texas.
We are also advised that parties inter-
ested contemplate requesting you, as at
torDey general OF the United States. To-
cause proceedings to be instituted under
tho provisions of the act of congress CT
July 2. 1890 entitled "An act to protect
trade and commerce against unlawful re-
strants and monopolies." TO restrain and
prohibit the steamship line charged with
attempting to secure a monopoly in said
carrying trade from charging and collect
ing freight rates less them compensatory
In said trade. With no other interest in
this controversy than that OF any other cit
liens OF Texas, but because of our Official
duties In relation to the making and regu-
lation OF freight rates in this State, and
because Of the great PUBLIC evils now being
produced and which may be increased by
said rate war, If. when this matter should
be brought to your attention, you conclude
that Ii makes a cause within the provis-
ions Of the above recited act OF congress
we respectfully ask you will at once have
the necessary proceedings instituted to put
an end h this rate war, and to the alleged
attempt TO establish monopoly In the
carrying trade between the ports Of New
York and Galveston. Respectfully
John II. Reagan. Chairman;
l.. j. Storey.
Allison Mayfeld,
Commissioners.