The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-25

the water route, or over the Southern
tranScontinental lines. .ve ? =
Henry Hahn, representing Wadhouse 81
Co., and /. Lowengart, representing w.
r. Fuller d Co., paints and oils, both in
fiuential Portland firms, made addresses
in support of the arguments advanced at
the previous days session and following
out the same general line of argument,
without detail. Frea Mottett. Hunt e.
Mottett, Tacoma, made Il speech In ia
Vor of the demands made by the Western
men, which was commented upon as the
best advanced by the coast delegation
during the conference He eloquently de-
manded better protection, greater differ
ence between car and less rates. and
stated that the Western delegation were
not demanding more than they thought
they were entitled to. but a fair show
for business and the share in the coast
trade to which their geographical po-
sition entitled them.
Following Mr.. Mottett's address the
conference adjourned for dinner with the
understanding that at the opening of the
afternoon session II. d. Loveland, gen.
eral representative of the Associated
Wholesale Grocers of California, should
be given an opportunity to close the ar
guments before the railroad officials with
summary of the position taken by the
Western men. At 2:S0 the representatives
again assembled for the final session.
The summary presented by Mr.. Love-
land contained the arguments of the first
days sessions and general review Of
the condition of trade, effect of present
rates and concession asked by the coast
men. No new arguments were presented.
The summary was followed by an in
formal discussion in which all the mem
bers of the coast delegation joined Vice
President Hannaford, of the Northern
Pacific, was asked when a decision could
be expected, and replied that In his opin-
ion, two weeks at most would be nee
essary- for the preparation of the steno-
graphers' reports, consideration of the
evidence introduced, and discussion of
the difficulty, after which a decision would
be announced. He informed the Western
men that he would not decide upon the
question without conference with repre-
sentatives of; other interested roads, and
consultation with President Mellen, of the
Northern Pacific. who will not arrive from
New York until June l.
This statement of the case did not meet
with the, approval of the coast represen-
tatives, and the declaration was made
that '1they had come to secure changes
in the transcontinental rates, and propos-
ed to remain in St. Paul until they won
their point" No reply was made to. the
declaration, but an unfavorable impress
sion was created by the unadvised utter
terests. The session adjourned at 400,
after considerable desultory discussion,
and the freight differences now lie in the
hands of the interested roads.
Francis B. Clarke, general traffic man
ager Of the Great Northern, was seen
as he was leaving the hotel, and asked
when. decision could be expected. He
agreed with the remarks made during
the last session by Mr.. Hannaford and
stated that after the orderly arrangement
of the evidence introduced, he would con-
slider it, and submit 1t to higher officials.
He intends holding a conference with Mr..
Hannaford, as the representative of the
Northern Pacific freight interests, at
which time the differences. will be con-
sidered and a solution undertaken. Moth
ing could be announced for at least two
weeks
Immediately upon the close of the aft
ernoon session. the coast delegation went
into star chamber session, to caucus upon
a representative of their interests to re-
main in the city, and look after their
case until a decision is given out The
Chicago delegation. with the exception Of
Il few members, left last evening on their
return, as did the entire ST. Louis rep
resentation. The San Francisco dele
gates to the conference left on the late
coast trains, and will be followed this
morning by the remaining members of
the Western deputation.