The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-23
THE ADVANCE IN FREIGHT RATES.
Attorney.Genernl Monet OF Ohio Holds
That They Violate the Antitrust Law

Attorpey.Genernl Monet OF Ohio Holds
That They Violate the Antitrust Law.
WARRINGTON. Dec. 22.-Further testimony
concerning the new schedule OF freight rates
proposed by the railroads OF the Central Classi-
hcation Committee was heard by tho In tor
state Commerce Commission this morning.
General Traffic Manager Harriott OF the Erie
road was the first witness examined and his
testimony consisted OF brief statement to the
enect that an increase OF freight rates Is now q
necessity. Present industrial conditions, he
argued. make an increase OF railroad revenues
Imperative. Freight rates are the most prac-
tcal Held for such an increase. and the new
schedule only means that the railroads recog-
nize tho fact.
When Mr.. HarrIott had concluded. Attorney
General Monet. Of Ohio. who appears on
behalt OF many shippers from Cleveland and
other cities In that State. occasioned much
surprise by arguing that the new table OF
rates was violation OF the Sherman anti
trust law. In support OF that position he read
q petition. which he. Mr.. Matthews Of The
g sggnta,IysJ, II, Bromwell presented Sp behalf
ment represented that the new rate sheet
inures to the, benefit OF the larger shipper and
the to present an ns.trnct S Of ia
proceedings In the matter to the United States
,hNttorney.General.tha he may proceed against
Although presented az the unanimous act OF
,wyhocs9le an Jobsing operators, representa-.
York the Trades League Of Philadelphia, the
Noarrd OF Trade and TRANSFORMATION OF New
q New York disclaimed any share in IL. taking
the position that they could not approve such a
petition without having had il examined BY
Lommissoner Clements expressed the opin-
m,m; wnth tne papers had been read. that y the
antitrust law. tho Interstate Commerce Com
n.ss had nothing whatever to do with the
For the purpose OF illustrating the arguments
made "a the petition. Mr.. Monet Introduced
several tnesses. the first examined being b.
ticularly interested in oil shipping, he said. He
nal PREPARED table showing the advance In
S T o o n es cso; haSs and Email
discrimination against email lots had pre-
i GhST ncw sSssas 70 TbSa q ger ssp under
and could not be less than ~ per cent.
~ Mr. a. u. dDGEolyer: Cincinnati carriage
,ns vss se ssr ri the
mann'actpr.rs. Should the now rates go into
eject; said Mr Deaoiiyer. no small operator IN
any market not adjacent to his factory. Com
petition as 1t now exists would then be impos-
This testimony brought the hearing to q
Chairman Knapp said tonight that two
testimony heart by the com missjon I'M this
cause and that the com IN ission would dispose
OF the matter us speedily AZ possible. or the
an, trust aspect It had assumed. he said:
, In order TO prove that tho Classification
committee has violated the Sherman anti
Trust law, II must be established that the
several railroads which comprise the COM
mite" have com bihed TO limit and prevent
competition; This IL not. II seems TO me. a
sion To- decide Whether we shall send a
transcript Of our record TO the Attorney
IL IN
diuereht question. cannot cay now what the
Commission Will do.