New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-11
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
HEARING ON DIFFERENTlAL hA
THE COMPLAINT OF THE NETWORK fkopoNH
EXCHANGE BEFORE THE INTERSTATE

HEARING ON DIR iiNH
THE COMPLAINT OF THE NETWORK PRODUCE
EXCHANGE BEFORE THE INTERSTATE
COMMERCE COMMISSION.
Philadelphia May lo-The Interstate Commerce
Commission to-day, in the United States circuit
Corrt rooms here resumed its hearing on the sub
iect of differential freight rates preliminary
hearing was given in New-York in March last anu
postponement was then taken, win the asiee
ment that the Commission continue the nearing III
this city to-day. The case nj Issue Is thaC VI ''
Produce Exchange of New York against thirty-four
railroad compa MES. for maintaining IN alieseo VIZ
lation of the Interstate Commerce act system Oh
freight dinerentsls in grain. -four and provisions
from the West to Philadelphia. Baltimore. newport
News and Norfolk. which the Exchange alleges mas
operated 10 the disadvantage of the commerce oi
New-York.
7 u Herman representing the Exchange, pre-
scented vouminous statistical tables in reference 10
railroad freight traffic and the export trade IN
support of his argument that the existing oiher-
entail rates Disseminated against New1 orK Ohe Oh
these tables which was compiled from ahhua' re-
ports of the Joint Traffic Association showed that
In 1896 as compared with 1895 the freight carried
from the West to New-York over all trunk lines
increased II per cent while that carried to Phila-
delphia increased % per cent and to Baltimore the
Increase 81 per cent This table showed 'ha' Oh
the Pennsylvania Railroad alone the increase III
Fastbound freight 10 New-York was per cent 10
philadelphia q per cent and to Baltimore D. per
cent rbe Pa and Ohio Railroad showed in
creases as follows: To New-fork y per cent 10
Philadelphia 10 per cent, and to Baltimore Ito per
cent. -, r,,u.s.,rh,o
Sas w. Petit who represented the Philadelphia
commercial bodies followed Mr.. herman in an ar
current in which he contended that me press EN-
differenal rates have bean really In existence TOT
over thirty years and are simply the natural result
of business principles and business competition
Fx-Judge Fisher. of Baltimore also took excep-
ton to the sta ;istcs presented by Mr. Herman he
argued that the statistics did not show that me
dfferental freight rates were ar all responsible Ior
the decreased business at New YORK or the increase
of business at the other points. He SAID there
were various causes which affected trade OF all
kinds at different times and in varying manner
The Increase in the export trade and tne frelsnt-
carving business at the Southern ports. ne as
serted resulted from increased railroad facilities
and other business reasons - u
The only witness examined to-day was r. o.
Kelly freight commissioner OF the PhlladeIpha
Trades League VINO was asked many questions as
m elevator and storage charges, the NUMBER OF
vessels carrying grain from this port, the names
OF local exporters. etc Little ihlormduoH Vi SCI"
eral importance was presented. ., . ....
The Commission then adjourned until tomorrow
morning Messrs Green and LOOMS. VINO repre-
sented respectively the West Shore and New-fork
Central railroads. questioned Mr.; Kelly IN an APP
| parent endeavor to learn whether or not there
we're any differences in rates. elevator charges or
other advantages offered to shippers respectively
over the PENNSYLVANIA and the Reading railroads
| The witness, however, Knew Oh ITO ilouce"eh'S
offered by either of the roads