The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-05-04

made by Mr.. Ballingcr of Galveston, how
ever that he would tomorrow advocate
the adoption of ono-ratc cotton tariff
and reopen the Galveston Houston differ
ontial question and again attempt to show
why said difterentiai should be abolished.
The interior compress men who are here
tonight held meeting and decided to
leave the looallng aud concentration Ques-
ton with the commission without further
discussion. and Mir Robson OF the IaGraugo
press agreed to withdrew his application
for different rates for flat and compressed
cotton.
Pursuant to notices issued some six
weeks ago, the railroad commission held
an open meeting at its offices in this city
| today for the purpose Of hearing discussion
of a proposition to adopt a maximum rate
of so cents per 100 pounds on cotton to ap-
ply from points in common point territory
to the gulf ports. and Go cents per 100
pounds to points on the Rio Grande river.
| Also to hear from the various interests
| concerned with regard to establishing diff
ferent rates for flat and compressed cotton,
as wen as abolishing the rule permitting
the concentration OF cotton at compress
points.
| Judge Perkins for the railroads, having
asked for the cause Of the suggestion that
| the cotton rate be reduced Commissioner
Storey replied that there was a general
complaint against said rate as 1t exists and
that the meeting had been called to allow
| the cOmplainants to come to the front and
| make known their reasons for reduction.
| T. 5. DcArmond OF 3azette. Navarro
| county. informed the commissioners that
he represented 1000 Navarro county farm
crs VINO were OF the opinion that the Texas
cotton rate was excessive and who thought
| that the Georgia ratio WAS about right.
In answer to questions put by Messrs.
| Terry and Perkins representing the rail-
roads, he said he thought railroads could,
with the exception OF the item of fuel, bo
operated as obeaply In Texas as in Georgia.
| Ii railroad labor costs more in Texas than
| IN Georgia. the wages of railroad employees
| should be reduced, If necessary. to secure
| u reduction in the cotton rate. Did not
| know that for distances OF 100 miles and
| over the Georgia cotton rate was higher
| than the Texas rate, or that if applied TO
| Texas the Georgia rate would raise the cost
of transporting about ~ per cent OF the
| Texas crop. Promised 10 Investigate the
! subject aud find out Preferred the mileage
| to tho common point system OF making
| rates. as he thought it more equitable.
| Was satisfied with existing compress reg
ulalions and would rather live in Texas
! gia with the rates prevailing thcro, even
/ il they were lower. In fact. would rather
live in Texas, although he might have 10
| walk Thought the Texas railroads should
cut down their passenger service If neces-
sary 10 bring about Il reduction IN the cot
! ton rate
Replying TO Mr.. Lovott, Mir. DeArnond
stated that farmers did not take much IN
tcrrsL in ~ here their cotton is compressed.
No flat cotton shipped flat from his section
to Houston or Galveston saw no obJec-
ticn TO a modification of the present com
press regulations that would permit the
sinner and the railroad to agroe upon a
point where the cotton shall be conpretseu.
In answer 10 Mr.. Ballinger, thousht mat
different rates should he made Tor flsl ana
compressed cotton aud that the owner
should hayo the right to indicate me point
at which the cOmpTessage should be cone.
In answer to Commissioner Mayiieid. Mr.
| pcArmond said that IL the cotton rare was
reduced the compress rate should De plo
portionately reduced also. )id not thi'iN'
| however that the producer was Particular :
| Iv Interested I'm where the conlpresshge WIS
done. MS he paid FOR 1t in the iirSt instance ,,,
ANYWAY. for The Price he obtained Tor ms
cotton YVES fixed after all the expenses m
cidental to its handling had boon deuuc!ru'
w. s. Robson of LaGrange said that uh-
der existing conditions cotton was com COM
dressed at his press at cents per wv
l
Toyas which was unfair 10 sah press,
ravored two ratcs-one for flat ana one lur
comprpssed cotton, and thought that 'n'
owner Of the cotton, instead OF mo ~ "a,
road. should pay for the compressnge' up,
jected 10 the proposition that lnH oT "
agree upon the roiut of colnpTessnsa' us !,
yycu1d en9Ile ihom to discriminate asalhS'
the interior presses .,,., that II
In answer to Mr.. LoNeit repli," ''ia' :,
tho present rules we're 80 hlohliieu IN I,
allow mo owner Of the cotton and me ran
- 4, agree unon point OF compresFak'
n ,ni,,ht he that cotton buyers might ~
NOR cou,uressnge done AT a lower Ta'et ~
ala moi know that this would innre 10 ~,
benefit of the producer. as the buyer ms, ~
nut the saving In his pocket ils'ea a,.o IN
addint, IL 10 the price paid Tor the '"'t"r
IInralv thought that If the rate oil oo ,n,
prresage WAS reduced to cents per 90,
hounds the buyer would pay any more ~, ~
cotton Thought the producer lhia W.,
comprcssage in the long run ~ r no.
know that the rate IN cotton shoui" rich.
Snc..1 Thought cotton could stand a nv, ~
t,an onvthing else Would rathel
!, sea low rates on grain aud ioou p'o,,.e
!. | and bjoh rates on Gotten than the IoNe''N
i Adjourned until p, IN.
y AFTERNOON SESSION
g AZ the afternoon session W. u. sahue'
8 OF Bry1n stated that nc rave on Hons.
4 r~raardN cottCl from that pom. u -, ia
ton was 10 cents hale higher IMAM o., ~ "a 81
8 eotfon and wanted the commission 10 a
least make both rates the same: ~ "tr Ian,
words The buyer pays cents OF the con, com
press charge at Bryan. Wanted iomr
!. rate for compressed than for flat cotton toa
;. Judge Reagan replied that INC cu,'
|. pressed Gotten rate was ALREADY ~
lower than the flat rate OF bryan ~ y,
9 that the shorter tho haul to Houston ", W
: lower must he the rate for eompre ST.
To accede 10 the gentleman's demand woui'
g be discriminating sure enough ,ag