The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-27
go STRENGTHEN THE Law
:. Hearing on the Amendment to the
Interstate Commerce Act.
A Representative of the League of
IndustrinI Associations tondc mns
rh, Existing Stntutcs-Ihc Nillers
of the Country in Favor of the
Proposed Changes in the Measure.

The Senate Committee on Interstate
Commerce gave hearing yesterday to
number of representatives of business or
aanizations on the subject Of the bill TO
amend the interstate commerce law,
which has been introduced by Senator
cuilom, Chairman of the committee.
The first speaker was Frank Barry, of
Milwaukee. Secretary of the National
Millers' Association. and the accredited
representative of the National League of
Industrial Associations. MIR. Barry con-
demned the present interstate commerce
law. which he said has become powerless
and Of no value. He announced his ap-
proval OF the proposed amendment. which.
he said, would benefit both the shipper
and the carrier.
In reply to questions asked by Senator
fillman. Mr. Barry said the Standard Oil
Company. the Sugar Trust. and the large
Touring mills aud grain elevator interests
OF the Northwest were not cooperating in
the movement. He had no direct infor-
nation on the subject of favoritism, but
called attention to the recent changes OF
freight classification made by the rail-
roads. which, he said. left carload rates
on oil practically where they were, while
ii raised the rate on fractional carloads
from 2O0 to 500 per cent. 1t was not diff
cult to see that this was in the interest
of the Standard Oil Company. Mr.. Barry
expressed the opinion that the Minneapolis
milIers receiving discriminatory rates
from the railroads and said that flour for
export is being Disseminated against in
favor Of wheat for export This discrim-
ination he thought due to the fact that
many of the railroad officials and stock
holders are largely interested in the grain
elevators.
The second statement was made by
Augustine Gallagher. of St Louis. Com
missioner of the Miller's National Asso-
citation. He stated that he firmly believed
that the amendment proposed by the Ma
tional Board of Trade would produce re
suits greatly beneficial to the whole peo-
pie. and that he also favored it because
it viii act in favor OF the millers whom
he represents.
He said that the railroads were not
content with controlling the mines and
the forests of the country but that they
were now attempting to control the bal
lots OF the people along their lines He
contended that the railroad system of the
Middle West. so far as the grain inter
ests are concerned. are practically par
celed out by large firms in Chicago and
other cities.
Mr.. Gallagher stated that the exporta-
tion OF wheat from the United States
last year was about 14s. .O00. 600 bushels. (
possibly 50 per cent OF which went to
the British Isles. The labor cost of pro- /
'ducing -four. he said, was some thing more /
than 20 cents a barrel. and. OF course.
that amount was lost TO the labor Of this 4
country on the exported wheat
In reply to a question asked by Senator
Chandler Mr.. Gallagher said that the Ma (
tional Board of Trade and the National
Millers' Association are in favor of such
legislation as would restore an organiza-
tion practically the same as the recent
Joint Traffic Association. do they not
really propose" asked Senator Chandler.
ito organize a gigantic railroad trust which
Will abolish all competition in traffic I
Tates?" Mr.. Gallagher denied emphatically /
that they have any such intention
Well" said Mr.. Chandler some OF us /
politicians cannot understand why the Ma
tioual Board OF Trade and the National /
MilIers Association should desire the es- !
tablishment of a railroad trust. the idea OF |
which is TO crush railway competition
We do not want to crush competition"
Tepileo MI 6ailaBner. ana wnat We ask /
will not accomplish such an end
What you want. then suggested Senator l
Allen, lis to authorize the railroads to main
tain rates without pooling their interests
Exactly" replied Mr.. Gallagher. Well /
said Mr.. Allen. that's only another name
for the same thing
f. o. Stanard. OF St Louis. -four manu-.
facturer. stated that for years the railroad l
has been giving rates 10 wheat shippers in |
discrimination against the -four manufac- 4
turers, who are also exporters
This discrimination is so great" said /
Mr.. Stsnard. That the British -four manu-
facturer can make -four from American
wheat at least IS cents a barrel cheaper
than the same -four could be made here
in conclusion lie stated that in his opinion /
there is nothing in the proposed amend
ment which would enable the railroads to
or pool their interests.
Mr.. Stanard was followed by f. p Will |
son, of Cincinnati, Secretary Of the National 1
Association of Manufacturers. who said il Is
essential that the interstate commerce law
be amended that the Interstate Com
merce Commission would have some au-
thority and be able to carry out the duties
for which they were appointed. He be-
lieved that the commission ought TO have
to step in between the railroads
and shippers and settle disputes until the
question could be adjudicated by the
courts
THE SUBSIDY BILL AMENDED.