The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-11-18
PACIFIC COAST FR[|sHIS.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMNIS.
SION TAKES A RECESS.
Coast Interested In the Hearings
Chairman Knapp Speaks Of Ina

ST. LOUIS. No., Nov. 17-The interstate
commerce commission, after being In ses-
sion ave days In 81. Louis taking testi-
mony in the interest Of the Business Mems
League OF ST. Louis, against the transcon-
tnental railroads. adjourned today at
noon, to meet at some point on the Pacific
coast after the Christmas holidays.
One thing that has become manifest
during the hearing Is that the parties most
interested In the maintenance OF the pres
eni freight rates are the Southern Pacific
railroad and the jobbers and manufacture
ers OF the Pacific coast. While a number
Of other roads We're made nominal defend
ants. all but the Southern Pacific were
conspieuously silent, rot propounding
single question during the hearing The
counsel Of the Southern Pacific were ex-
ceedingly active, as was the Jobbers' and
Manufacturers Association of the Coast.
Before taking q final adjournment today
Chairman Knapp OF the commission, said:
The commission Is impressed with the
Importance Of the case and desires 10 be
In possession Of every fact that may have
a material bearing on the issues involved.
1t Is manifest that a great variety Of in
terests are affected. and. further we are Of
gravest importance. threatening the COM
mercial progress of two great sections Of
this country. are at stake.
The fullest and widest investigation Is
demanded and, therefore, the commission
VIII not close the case until both sides
have been given ample opportunity TO pro-
duee, In the testimony. every pertinent fact
relating to the subject"
He then announced that the commission
would adjourn. TO meet, sometime after
the holidays. on the Pacific coast.
Before The adjournment Richard T.
Walker. traffic manager Of the Panama
Steamship Company, was placed on the
stand by the respondents. Mr.. Walker said
that his company was operated in con-
junction with the Pacific Steamship Conn
pany. and engaged In carrying freight from
New York TO the Pacific coast At the
present tine they carried about 2,u00 tons
of freight every month from ocean tc
ocean. Their rates were made in car lead
and less than car load lots. Car load lois
were carried for 30 per cent below rail-
road rates. while less than car load lots
were taken for per cent below railroad
rates.
He said that he had made no arrange
ment with any competitor whereby the or
binary rules of competition were affected.
On cross-examination Mr. Walker said
the Panama Railroad Company operated
tract the Pacific Steamship Company.
G. p. Huntington was president OF tina,
line. and was also president OF the South
ern Pacific railroad. The Panama line
the Pacific Steamship Company controll-
ed the eastbound freight. There was a
division of profits between the two COM
panies on percentage basis.
He had no agreement with the railroads.
though there was tacit understanding
that he should have a monthly tonnage
of 5000 tons. He received certain
monthly allowance from the railroad
con1nanies, which was not TO prevent
them from competing. but was paid for
space. The price for this space was high
er than could have been obtained for
any line of goods they might transport