The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-11-21

CHICAGO, Nov. 2O-The testimony of
PRESIDENT Stickney, Of the Great West
ern road, today before the subcommittee
OF the industrial commission, investigat
ing rate discrimination, was given. very
frankly, and some of his statements
caused sensation among his hearers. His
first declaration was:
Il tell you frankly these published
freight rates are not maintained by the
railroads, and cannot be maintained. 1t
is impossible. The interstate commerce
law, as far as Investigations and conse
quences are concerned, is a roaring
farce"
A sensation was created, as the state
ment hatly contradicts the sworn testi-
mony of more than a half dozen railroad
presidents, who said published freight
rates were adhered to strictly.
1 m hereto, know" said Mr. Stick
ney, by way Of Introduction to his argu-
ments that congress should keep its
hands off the business affairs Of the coun-
try, that the powers of the Interstate
commerce commission should not be ex-
tended and that carrying charges must
vary as do prices for commodities In the
trade world on conditions
On taking the oath President Stickney
stipulated that he was giving opinions
merely. He asserted that, contrary to
the reports made by the commerce COM
mission, automatic couplers and other ap-
planes had increased accidents
PASS QUESTION.
The question of issuing free passes was
W dad it'll
the view that this practice should be
| abolished.
I'VE find 1t to our interest, however
to extend favors to certain classes Of
| men"-referring to members of the judi
ciary-"Who may ask for them"
Isn't II an evil to morals that judges
| get passes and private citizens none?"
| came the question.
We'll 1 don't like to pass on morals"
| was the answer
What would you think of congress pro-
htbiting the pass system, and stopping
| ticket scalping?"
My attitude on such questions" was
| the unhesitating response, is that con-
| gress is not created to run the business
! of this country. The best thing congress
| can do is to repeal some of the laws it
| has made. The ticket brokerage problem
| should be left to the railroads and the
| public
rs not the bulk of business done by
| the scalpers given to them directly by the
! Railroads.&c.
Il presume 1t is was the ready reply.
| Congressman Lorimer then asked an
| opinion of the Imprisonment feature Of
| the anti-scalping bill several times pre-
| sented to congress.
CALLED 1T BARBARIsM.
Most outrageous piece of barbarism,"
was Mr.. Stickney's comment He then
! showed that If the interstate commerce
law as to publishing tariff schedules were
| complied with, there would have to be
| 100000 rates formulated on the twelve
| classifcations of freight matter.
| Il don't think pooling would have any
effect on holding rates stable said he
| In the first place do not believe 4
| pool could be formed, and in the second
| place unless it embraced everything it
would produce the result which you seek
| to prevent"
do you favor publicity of railroad af-
fairs?'' was asked AN examination of
books by government experts as with
/ banks?''
| II am opposed to every principle Of
| government paternalism, except super
Vising police authority. 1 would object
to government inspection of national
banks. Government interference has
wrecked more banks than ever went to
| pieces in any ether way. AS to govern
lnent ownership, believe that the federal
| government, if handling the railroads.
would meet with the same limitatio
against which private ownership now has
| to contend