The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-06-22
COMMISSION HEARINGS.
Matter Of Connections at fearne Not YET
Settled.
RATE ON GRAIN FOR EXPORT VIA GULF
Railroad Agents, Grain Men ana Mil
1ers Were Henrd--Rate on
Cotton Ties.

Austin. Texas. June 2i.--The delayed
| grain rate hearing which the railroad com
mission has had booked for some time
came off today and 1t can not be said that
much was developed thereat to sustain the
bowls which have gone up In certain
quarters over the 10 cent export rate
which has obtained for some time from
Kansas City via Galveston. There were
many grain dealers mill men and railroad
representatives present, but no producers
| nor consumers. although many professions
of sollcitude for the interests of both were
made by all hands.
Briefly stated, the testimony was to the
effect that the 10 cent Kansas City
rate was Improbable to the railroads and
that 1t had been put in simply to meet re-
duced rates to the Atlantic seaboard and
preserve to the Texas lines business which
naturally belongs to them SO as to pre-
vent the retarding Of the development Of
Galveston as grain port. In other
words. It was shown that the cut was but
the result of a war between ports and that
the Texas lines had met the cut of the
Eastern lines to protect the Texas port
AS to interfering with the movement OF
Texas corn and wheat for export, 1t was
shown that the 10 cent rate from Kansas
City had not done SO, as after paying the
local into Kansas City, Kansas grain was
when exported. burdened with an .aggre-
gate freight charge heavier than the
Texas export rate. 1t was shown also that
the Texas producer is paid more for his
corn and wheat than his Kansas brother
gets, but that the latter raises both at a
less cost than they are raised in Texas.
The commission reserved its decision in
the matter.
| Austin. Texas. June 21.-Pursuant to no.
tice issued some time ago, the railroad
commission this morning took up the mat
ter Of schedules for certain passenger
trains on the international and Great
Northern and Houston and Texas Central
railroads. Commissioner Mayfield stated
that from his own observation and from
the statements of many travellers it was
evident that there was an utter disregard
of the rights and convenience of the trav-
cling public by the two roads named in so
far as making connection at Hearne is con-
cerned.
Assistant General Superintendent No
BILE of the international and Great North
ern was called to the witness stand. He
testified that the International and Great
Northern was now running its trains as
fast as was consistent with safety and
| that its passenger schedules were ad
iusted with two ends in view; one the
accommodation of local travel and the
other the accommodation OF through travel.
Could not afford to put on trains to make
every connection possible on its line. To
change the time of departure of its night
northbound train from San Antonio so as
to have it leave there earlier than at
present would operate to the disadvantage
Of San Antonio. Could take care of half
of the difference in the time between the
arrival at Hearne of its night train and
that of the Houston and Texas Central
If the latter would take care OF the other
half
Trainmaster Bisby of the Houston and
Texas Central testified as to the time on
which night northbound trains leave
Houston and that said trains were now
running as fast as was safe and that no
northbound leave Houston later at night
would break connections at Hearne.
Superintendent Daffau of the northern
| division of the Houston and Texas Gen.
trail testified that the International and
Great Northern was responsible for the
breaking Of the connection at Hearne, as
the Houston and Texas Central is still
running on the schedule in effect when the
connection was broken. The Houston and
Texas Central Is now running as fast as
is safe north OF Hearne. There was to
| MS knowledge much complaint because of
the breaking Of the Hearne connection.
Further hearing of the matter was sus-
pended until tomorrow to await the APP
pearance OF other witnesses permission
for the summoning of which was granted,
and the commission took up the matter
OF readjustment of domestic grain rates
| owing to the PRONUNCIATION OF a 10 cent
export rate from Kansas City pending the
| consideration OF which a recess was taken
until 2 o. m.
After recess a letter to the commission
from Traffic Manager Hale OF the Mis-
souri, Pacific was read. 1t related to ex-
port grain rates from Kansas City through
Galveston and stated that an adjustment
had been reached whereby beginning with
| July l said rate would be liz cents on
corn and is cents on wheat and the rate
from Kansas points 1 cent less pur-i00
pounds than the sum of the locals into
Kansas City and the rate out from KAN
sas City. AS to the existing rate of 10
cents from Kansas City. Mr.. Hale stated
that there was no money in it for the
railroads. but that 1t was carried partly
to meet competition via the Atlantic sea-
board and partly to keep Galveston before
grain people as a desirable export point,
which was iustlfable at a time when there
was no unusual demand for rolling stock.
j. p. Harrison, president of the Texas
Grain Dealers association took the stand
and said that Mr.. Hales statements would
have the effect of modifying the COM
plants he was prepared to file against the
prevailing export grain rate. He was en-
tirely satisfied with Texas local rates and
had no fight to make on the millers, but
he was of the opinion that the prevailing
difference of cents per 100 pounds be-
tween the Kansas City and the Texas ex-
1 mort -ata tna oraaf Tavaa corn he