The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-06-21
THE INDUSTRIAL
COMMISSION.
Some Startling Testimony
Has Been Taken.

Some Startling Testimony
Has Been Taken.
Washington, June II The indus
trial commission today heard state,
meat from L NJ Lockwood an oil
producer, of Zslieuople Penn 10 op-
position to the STANFORD Oh Trust.
Mr. Lockwood decla.d that this con-
psoy bad driven the independent re-
foers into bankruptcy ADD serritude.
and he denounced the course pursued
10 severe terms. BE held the railroads
especially responsible fer this condition
of affairs. Going back to 1872 be
referred at length to contract made by
the trunk lines OF Pennsylvapia> with
the South Improvement Company.
Uoder this contract, he said, the freight
rates on oil we're doubled and one-half
the amount collected was paid back as
rebate; not only this, but the con.
tract company received like rebate on
the shipments of all other companies.
This contract, be declared. had been
sec.e,ly continued by the railroads with
the Standard Oh! Company. He quoted
A. J. Cssaets, the nev president of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. IS
testifying before the Interstate railway
commission to the effect that while the
open rate to the public vas 81 90 per
barrel, the rate to the Standard Com
pany was 80 cecss. Further inyesiiga-
tioB, said Mr.. LockVood, had developed
the fact that the railroad companies
actually received only IS cents. This
condition of afsiss had resulted for a
time, according to the witness, 10 Civ
ing the Standard Company profit Of
400 per cent while the independent
re6aeyies were being rapidly driven
into bankruptcy. Mr.. Lockwood was
free in the use Of epithets, chsracte'iz-
iug both the oil company and the rail
road officials as highwaymen and bri-
gauds.
"If you have got to be robbed," be
exclaimed, Sit does not matter much
whether you are held up by Dick Tus-
pin with pistol or by John Rockefeller
with a railroad, it is robbery all the
same" He said that ueo who had
carefully aOalyzed the testimony taken
before the Hepburn CON mistee essl'
mated that in sixteen months' time the
Eve truuk lines of Pennsylvania had
paid the Standard Company $1l 900, :
900 in rebates. The railroad compa-
u;es had, he said, completely ignored
the orders of the State commission to
cease their discrimination in favor of
the Standard Company, resorting then
to the system Of false billing.
Speaking Of the remedy for the evil
Mr.. Lockwood said it was public
ownership Of the railroads, and it vas
not to be found in the courts. The
courts we're too slow and expensive.
He considered all the railroads of the
couotry as practically one gigantic
trust. end asserted that they we're 10
control of our politics. contribute mil
liaos to elect Legislators. senator's and
judged, and to punish those not wiling
to do thei. bidding.
The afternoon session was character
lied by the development of differences
anoog the members of the commission
as to the character Of testimony that
should be admitted Mr. Lockwood
made the ssa,encns that Judge Albert
Ha,sht, of The New York court Of
appeals, bad been elevated to bis
present position 0y tee operations
through tbe use OF corruption faed,
because of his action 10 what is known
as the Matthews casa proceeding Of
the railroad combination against the
independent refoers He afterwards
said that while con vinced the facts we're
as be bad stated, be had DOT actually
seen the fund, therefore, the statement
vas an inference.
At this point Mr. Fa.quhsr, of the
con mission, protested against the char
a,ter of the testimony, saying that
Judge Haight was bis next door
ueig hbor and one Of the purest men ne
had ever known. He had never before
heard an i'm putation upon his character.
Mr.. Lockwood said that be also knew
Judge Haigat, and that be had been
surprised at the apparent developments.
The issue had been raised 10 the
campaign. and he had understood that
be had ran behind his ticket.
After few general remarks by other
mem bers of the commission as to the
adsisabili,y of striking out the entire
statement, Congressman Belle made a
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