Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-26
MORE POWER NEEDED
Interstate Commerce Commission
Styled a "Moot Court"
HEARING BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE
Complaints Against the Rail
ways.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT

The Senate committee on commerce to-
day gave hearing to the representatives
or number of business organizations
throughout the country in support of the
bill to amend the interstate commerce law
The first statement was made by Mr.
Frank Barry Of Milwaukee, He Is secre-
tary Of the National Milers' Association
and the accredited representative of the
National League of Industrial Associations
He commended the pending bill, saying that
it had been framed with a view to doing
justice to both the shipper and carrier. He
condemned the present law, saying that it
had become impotent and valueless, and
the interstate commerce commission was
nothing more than moot court.
In reply to questions from Senator Till
man, Mr.. Barry said the Standard OIL
sugar trust and the large Touring mills of
the northwest and grain elevator interests
were not cooperating in this movement
He had no direct information on the sub
ject of favoritism, but he called attention
to the recent changes of freight classitica-
tion made by the railroads, which, he said,
left carload rates on Oil practically where
they were, while it raised the rate on frac-
tional carload rates from 200 to 800 per
cent. 1t was not difficult to see that this
was in the interest of the Standard Oil
ion that the Minneapolis millers were re-
ceiving discriminatory rates from the rail-
reads.
Wheat Favored.
Mr.. Barry also made complaint of the
discrimination by the railroads in favor of
wheat for export as against flour for eX-
port. He thought the discrimination was
due to the fact that many of the railroad
men were large owners in the elevators.
AuguStine GALLAGHER Of ST T,ouis corn-
missioner of the Millers National Associa-
ton, spoke especially of the interests of the
millers in the proposed legislation II, said
that the railroads were not content with
controlling the mines and the forests OF the
country, but that they were now attempt
ing to control the ballots of the people
along their lines. He contended that the
railroad system Of the middle west, so far
as the grain interests are concerned, are
practically parceled out by large firms in
Chicago and other cities.
Mr.. Gallagher, in response to an inquiry
of Chairman Cullom, said he firmly be-
lieved the adoption of the amendment pro-
posed by the national board of trade would
produce results immensely beneficial to the
whole people.
Further along Mr.. Gallagher said that
the expectation of wheat from the United
states last year was about las 100000
bushels, possibly 60 per cent of which
went to the British Isles. The labor cost
of producing flour, he said, was something
more than 20 cents barrel, and, of course,
that amount was lost to the labor of this
country on the exported wheat.
In answer to a question of Mr.. Chandler
Mr.. Gallagher said that the National Mil
lers' Association and the national board
of trade We're favorable to such legisla-
ton as would restore practically an or
ganization similar to the recent Joint Traf-
fic Association.
You are here today, then" said Mr.
Chandler, ito advocate a railroad trust
with 81, 10, 100000 capital Is it not in eff
feet fact that nj
a gigantic railroad trust, which is to abol-
ish all competition in traffic rates?''
Denies That He Favors a Trust.
''As a member of the National Millers'
Association and of the national board of
trade, 1 deny that 1 have any such in
tention. l do not and they do not ad-
vocate anything of the kind replied Mr..
Gallagher.
You understand. 1 take it," said Mr..
Chandler, that the great mass of shippers
want an organization similar to the old
Joint Traffic Association
They do replied Mr.. Gallagher. ''1f
the resolution adopted by the National
Board of Trade does no. convey that idea
1 ask this committee to prepare one that
will
Well" said Mr.. Chandler, "some of us
politicians cannot understand why the Ma
tional Board Of Trade and the National
Millers Association should desire the
lttDIlSHIleIlt OIL d railroad trust. lne luCd VI
which is to crush railway competition
I've do not want to crush competition
replied Mr. Gallagher, "and what We ask
will not accomplish such an end
You want, then,' inquired Senator AL
len, ito authorize the railroads to maintain
rates without the pooling of the railroads."
That's it, replied Mr. Gallagher.
We'll" said Mr.. Allen, that's another
name for the same thing"
Determination Against Flour.
E. o. Stanard of st. Louis, flour manu-
facturer, stated that the railroads for years
had been giving rates to wheat shippers in
discrimination against the flour manufac-
turers.
'This discrimination is SO great that the
British flour manufacturer can make flour
from American wheat at least 1S cents a
barrel cheaper than the same flour could
be made here" he said. In conclusion, Mr..
Stanard stated there was nothing in the
proposed amendment which would enable
the railroads to consolidate or pool their
interests.
More Authority for Commission.
E. P. Wilson of Cincinnati. secretary of
the National Association Of Manufacturers,
said it was essential that the Interstate
commerce law be amended SO that the in
terstate commerce commission would have
some vitality and be able to do something
definite. He believed that the commission
ought to have authority to step in between
the railroads and shippers and settle dis
putes until the question could be adjudi-
Gated by the courts.
He did not approve Of the idea of per-
mitting the interstate commission to fix
the rates of railroads. That would be an
insane notion, in his opinion.
In conclusion, Mr.. Wilson said that the
bill before the committee was an excellent
measure and would accomplish, he be-
lieved, the ends desired.
Funeral of Gen. Stanton.
The remains Of the late Gen. T. H. STAN
ton, who died at Omaha Tuesday last are
tal 4o In, 4l,i.. ai4,.