The times., 1898-08-04
CANADIAN COMPETITION.
Important Interstate Commerce
Commission Hearing Mt Chicago

Chicago Aug 3.-A greater part of this morn
ing was consumed by the Interstate Commerce
Commission in hearing Mr.. McNicholl, general
passenger-traffic manager of the Canadian Pa
cific He went into to passenger-rate case at
considerable length to refute the statements made
bv Whitney and Clough Of the Great Northern,
and c. S. Fee, of the Northern Pacific, yester-
day.
He showed that of the through passenger bust
ness of the Canadian Pacific, from New York,
for the year ending October 81, 1897, which in
cluded part of December, the Klondike rush
was only 5.9l per cent or 3Ss passengers, or
about one passenger a day throughout the year.
The Canadian Pacific gave dferential OF so
first class on through traffic from Hong Kong
TO Montreal and did not object to granting the
Northern Pacific and Great Northern small
tifferential. The latter demanded $50, and his
line was willing to concede $50 CT $40 on first
class
Touching on the charge that the Canadian
Pacific had no American lines, and paid no taxes,
he said: eve have 700 miles OF road in YER
mont and Maine, which pay taxes and get bust
ness from the Canadian Pacific To show the
extent of the American business handled by the
Canadian Pacific in 1897 Mr. McNicholi said
that il did amount to sl,300,000 of which
over 25 per cent, or 100000, profit on net
earnings As an offset, his company spent 3d.
100000 year for supplies in this country. He
would exchange all the American business for
the Canadian traffic secured by American lines.
The gross earnings of the Canadian Pacific last
wear were $4,000 600, of which per cent was
American business.
Mr. McNfeholl was questioned by Mr.. P. s..
Eustice, of the Burlington, after finishing his
statement, and Attorney Raymond expects to
occupy part of the day in replying TO the charges
made against the Canadian Pacific.
Vice President Clough, of the Great Northern.
in his arraignment of the Northern Pacific, said:
'sThe amount of the discrimination against the
American roads is stupendons and constantly
growing The statistics of the customs depart
ment show that the freight traffic diverted to
the Canadian Pacific already amounts to nearly
or quite IO,COO, 900 tons year, and represents
a loss of earnings to the American roads Ct
not less than $50 coo 600 to $25 900 900 in money
every twelve months The statistics of the pas
senger traffic are not so complete, but its volume
is likewise known to be large. The American
lines have not lost pound of traffic on account
of lack of facilities for handling it, nor has
any been lost TO them because of unwillingness
to handle it at fair rates.
''In this country nearly two-thirds OF the
gross earnings are paid out IN operating ex-
penses. Practically the whole of this expense
is for wages in some department For every
dollar spent, therefore, the American workman
gets 60 1t is Obvious, therefore, that every
time the foreign roads divert from the American
roads 81 000, 900 OF traffic they take Sli 900 0e0
directly out of the pockets of American work
men,
Mr. Clough also said that foreign cars should
be taxed the minute they enter this country, the
as foreign goods.