The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-03
LETTER FROM MAYFIELD.
Writes on the kaiy.S., S. and S. ConsoIl.
dalton Bill.
MANY INTERESTING STATEMENTS MADE
Points Out Wherein the Road. Arc
Vow Practically one. hut
should Not lie.

self explanatory letter will prove interest
ing at this time, as Il treats Of matter
that is very much in evidence in legisla
tive circles Just now:
MI s r. Mann, Sulphur Springs. Texas.
Austin. Texas, March si.--Doar sir.
Your favor of the 2sth instant cane duly
to hand, which would have been aeknowl.
edged earlier but for press OF other Of
fetal duties.
You call my attention to the action OF
mass meeting recently held in your city
with reference to the veto by the. gov
ernor OF senate bill No. 1854, aud TO the
further fact that certain advantages ad-
vanced by friends OF the bill would be
afforded your city In the event OF its be-
coming law that do not otherwise exist
and request that furnish you information
concerning the same.
You also inquire II freight rates would
be reduced from Shreveport in the event
of consolidation, and II your city would
thereby be removed from group one to
group two.
The latter portion of your inquiry may
be disposed of by the suggestion that
freight rates to sulphur Springs from
Shreveport would not probably be affected,
and groups one and two are imaginary,
in SO far as shipments wholly within the
state are concerned. as no such arrange
ment exists with respect TO the tariffs
promulgated by this commission.
Recurring TO the former and important
feature OF your inquiry. beg to advise:
The only advantage likely to accrue 10
in . - Il
dation of the Missouri Kansas and Texas
Railway company of Texas with the Sher-
man, shreveport. and Southern Railway
company, would be the application OF sim
gle line rates in those instances where
shipments pass over these two lines only
and now taking joint line rates. How
ever, some OF the commission tariffs make
no distinction between Joint and single
line rates, and generally the difference
exists only when the shipments are for
con arstively short distances. Besides,
IL lies within the power OF this commits
son-and | am not sure but what 1t is its
duty--to compel the application of single
line rates even In those instances, for we
know that these lines are owned and
dominated by the same interests and in
many respects are already consolidated
to all intents and purposes. For instance,
there seems to be common ownership of
stock, and there is good reason for believ-
Kansas and Texas railway of Texas per-
forms in fact the functions of that office
for the Sherman, Shreveport and southern
railway; and in like manner the general
superintendent and the general freight
agent OF the Missouri. Kansas and Texas
railway of Texas exercise similar jurisdic-
ton over the Sherman, Shreveport and
Southern road, and there are other ccgent
reasons TO justify the conclusion.
In order to enlist public sentiment
in support of this proposed consolidation
for can comprehend no other purpose
report has been circulated that after 1t
was accomplished certain extensions would
be made, and especially would the Sher-
man, Shreveport and Southern line be ex-
tended to Shreveport believe the ex-
tension will be made in any event. Any
how, whatever demand suggests an eXten-
sion after consolidation exists in a greater
degree without consolidation. If this line
is ever built TO Shreveport it will he on
account Of business necessities and not
as result of consolidation.
II is enough that these lines are com
petitivc and their consolidation Is forbid
den by the plain language of section s.,
article TO- of the constitution of this State.
/ have heard the statement made that
/ lines of railway extending at right angles
! can not be competitive, but the statement
| Is disproved by case now before this COM
mission for decision. The Houston and
! Texas Central railroad runs north and
south, the Sherman, Shreveport and South
ern runs east and west These lines form
junction at Mckinney and extend approx
imately at right angles with each other,
Extended, they get further apart and could
4 never meet. Yet these lines form competi-
tive routes for business from Mckinney TO
Corsicana, both stations on the Houston
and Texas Central. and we are called upon
under the law to adjust dispute between
the Sherman, Shreveport ard Southern line
and the Cotton Belt as to the division OF
rates on shipment moving from McKin.
ney via Pittsburg to Corsicana. the dis
lance by the route actually taken being
236 miles, whereas by the Houston and
Texas Central the distance is only eighty
six miles II is we'll understood among
traffic men that distance cuts but little
figure in the formation of competitive
routes.
A glance at the railroad map of the State
will disclose any number OF places that
now enjoy the benefit of competitive routes
that would be denied If these lines are cau-
solidated The proposition is as irrefutabe
as mathematical demonstration. The
romnotitiop may not be so pronounced az
In other instances but our constitution
does not deal with degrees in competition.
II forbids the consolidation OF all COM
peting lines,
Consolidation is the perfection OF com
lhination and combination is destructive
10 competition familiar argument in
support of such measures is that as the
commission makes rates there can be ne
comnetition. Such contention is decep-
4 five and misleading. large portion o.
the tonnage moving over our Texas roads
(estimated by some railroad officials "a
constitute nearly twothirds of their total
tonnage) is interstate commerce, prac-
tically subject to no law and controlled
nv eonnetitiye conditions. Moreover, on
he tonnage wholly within the State this
competition Afforded by different routes
frequently results in reduced rates. The
Commission does not hold rates in wise
ia constant effort Is to reduce rates e
something like reasonable basis. ant
competition Is an aid in that direction
If the rail lines OF this State are TO b
olaced within the control of one or few
men IL should be remembered that thi
nower 10 do evil Is strengthened quite al
much as the ability to do good, and II doei
SEEM that our recent experience, as wei
kas the experience OF those where such con
ditions are known TO exist, ought 70 salts.
~ MS that such power Is rarely exercised
Tor other purposes than the promotion o
their own selfish ENDS.
have heard the suggestion that tne
Missouri Kansas and Texas, being great
/ -tt.o its natrnue hoffar