The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-17
Testimony Concluded aud the Case
Taken Under Adjustment.
THE ROCK ISLANDS ADMISSION,
Eject OF the Abolition of the nons-
ton Galveston DiHcrcntinI Il Is
Made Plain to the Commission.

" "'r'Sses III lne case oil the Gal
weston Maritime association against tho
Southern Pacific railroad for alleged dis
examination against Galveston in favor
of New Orleans.
General Freight Agent McCabe of the
Chicago, Rock Island and Texas was the
first witness examined. He testified that
/ the N,oi rate on foreign shipments Of
cotton Via the Atlantic seabord put in by
his road last fall was bised on informa-
ton received that the rate to Liverpool
was being cut from Galveston The Sl04
rate had TO be made to get any business
at all. Could have gotten more out of the
haul had he been able to send the cotton
southwark. He had never failed TO OBJ
tain quotations on application from tnr
Galveston ship brokers' but usually found
1t impossible to use the rates quoted. Cot
ton shippers generally told him that they
could get better rates.
J. b. Bartholomew, agent OF the Nal
Tory line at Galveston, was next sworn
and testified that he had not OF or about
December il, 1897, authorized anybody to
make a rate Of 10 cents to Now York on
Liverpool cotton over the Mallory lluo.
The lowest rate made on railroad cotton
for Liverpool by his line via Kew York
in August, 1897, was 90 LIS cents; in Sep
TENDER s6ia cents. Had engaged no cotton
for Liverpool since September. 1897. Did
not know what the Mallory lines pro-
portion of above named rates was. Had taxi
en- no cotton this season in less than 200
bale lots for delivery TO the American
docks. Had no way of ascertaining whether
any cotton contracted for after January
s, 1898. had been unloaded upon the Mai
Tory line. Had Withdrawn the 1lIs cent
rate to New York on that date, but there
was an accumulation OF cotton awaiting
shipment over his line which the ran
roads claimed had been contracted lor
prior to said withdrawal Had no knowi-
edge of whether he had taken cotton Tor
New York which was delivered TO Liver
pool ships There was no rate now On
cotton for New York over the Mallory
line. Did not know whether amy otner
line is carrying such rate. Could not say
whether anybody else knew. If shipper
should offer him cotton now for New York
he would quote him such high rate that
he couldn't afford to pay 1t. Was not
contracting for cotton now because he
wanted to get rid of the contracts made
prior to January g. Had not determined
upon what policy he would pursue when
the accumulation was disposed Of A larg-
er proportion of the Texas crop than usual
had gone to Eastern mills this year, Da-
cause of the low rates prevailing out Of
Galveston. In explanation OF the letter
written by himself to Mr.. Jones OF the
Houston and Texas Central and which
letter was introduced in evidence yester-
day, Mr.. Bartholomew said that his pa;-
pose therein had been to inform MIR. Jones
xvba ha al
ready to go out after cotton 1t would give
the Southern Pacific ample notice OF airy
increase 1t might make in the 1112 cent
rate to New York The Mallory line was
the first to make this 111a cent rate. Was
not prepared to say whether IT. was ready
to increase it. Was surprised that Mr..
Jones had made the letter public. Had
heard that the Lone Star line is quoting
a 15is cent rate TO New York. Asked by
Commissioner Maytield for his opinion as
an expert as TO the effect on the move
ment of cotton from Houston TO Calves
ton the obliteration of the Houston Gall
weston differental would have. he declined
to express himself rem3rking that ne mad
troubles of his own
General Freight Agent Turner Of the
International and Great Northern, having
been sworn, testified that in his eX-
perence he had had no trouble In obtain
ing quotations from the Galveston ship
brokers. Had turned cotton over to tie
Southern Pacific at HouNon for New
York and at Galveston TO the Lone star
line for the same destination. AT Houston
got the full local rate as his division. At
Galveston had been compelled to shrink the
local Had turned over no New YORK cot
ton to the Texas and Pacific. The cottoh
he had turned over to the Lone star llne
had probably all gone to points in New
England beyond New York and been
y.af n
Galveston, which meant the absorption OF
an arbitrary beyond New York. or an ac-
tual rate Of l11a cents to New York. Had
| been quoted no lower rate then 1919 cents
out of Galveston for New York since Jan-
nary s. Could not say whether is was
fact that the 1874 cent rate ne got OUT
| OF Galveston protected his locals
| Commission Agent Underhill, recalled TO
the stand. was asked by Complainant MOL
| Ter to give the result of recent inyestiga-
| tions as TO cotton shipments made by NM
| self In Galveston. He replied that the In
| formation In his possession was conhden-
| tial and that 1t rested with the commission
whether or not he should disclose II.
The commissioners retired for censuita-
| ton and on their return ANNOUNCED tnas
| the witness might be asked the dates or
| hills Of lading and the destination OF the
! freight. also the rate charged. Mr.. un--
derhiIl then testified that he had found
cotton shipped from New Braunfels as late
| ne February 3. at so cents TO Galveston and
| 11ib cents to New York and ultimately a.
verted TO Liverpool The railroad company
had delivered the cotton TO different con-
| slrnees than those originally named IN tne
hill of Iadlng. Did not know who wrote
the bill of lading after the cotton got 70
| Galveston The railroad agent had changed
| tho delivery there presumably al the di.
reetjon of the shipper Did not know OF
any cotton moving out Of Galveston ssto .,d ,or
| rarnarv & except via Mallory line. Had
York and Lone star line on when .ne
water lines proportion was As cents; what
the Lone Star got out OF this he did not
know. ~, =, ,to Nj.
SQUIRT Kansas and Texes, being sworn
testified that his line did not always get
the full local rate TO Galveston as us di.l-
sion OF the through rate OF foreign SNIP
ments OF cotton. Had been quoted 10
cent rate from Galveston TO New fo.k
since January s. Gave notice OF the ap..
| ,.,ta,.son nv his line OF the Ro0k island