The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-31
Local Jobbers Will Give Testi-
mony on April IL.
IN DEFENSE OF PACiFic COAST.
,.ser.tate Commerce Investigators
Conclude General Hearing of
Coast JobbfnR Houses In Fight
Being Made by the Middle West
Jobbers for This Trnde-WiI Now
visit Principal Coast cities.

A telegram was received from VI. S.
Decker assistant secrtary OF the inter-
state commerce commission. yesterday,
informing the Seattle branch OF the Pa
eiao Coast Jobbers' and Manufacturers
association that the commission will hear
testimony in the case Of the Business
Mems League, OF st. Louis, against the
railroads, in Seattle, on April u. at the
United States court rooms.
The commission has finished It's report In
Los Angeles, and Will begin 10 take tes-
tlmony in San Francisco on Tuesday, April
g. After examining all witnesses II Will
proceed TO Portland, al which city hear
ing will take place on Monday, April ..
The commission VIII probably remain
here three days. in order TO thoroughly
examine all witnesses. Members of the
Pacific Coast Jobbers and Manufacturers
Association are more than delighted with
the announcement OF the visit OF the In
ter~tate commerce commission, as II Will
Give tho Coast jobhers and manufacturers
an opportunity TO go fully into the details
Of the matter.
houses of the Middle West are attempt
ing through the Business Mems League
OF St Louis, 10 have the interstate com
merce commission 20 regulate and rear
range freight rates on roads operating In
10 Pacific coast territory that 1t will per-
NIT the Wholesale houses of Chicago, Mill
wat1kec, ST. Louis Kansas City and other
smaller cities to deal directly with the
merchants I'm this territory.
The league asks many changes In the
methods adopted by Western railroads
not the least of which Is TO be allowed to
load In one car n number OF small orders
OF various classes OF merchandise, and
ship tho same through to the Coast at the
game rate that Pacific coast johbers are
paying for the various articles, each
bought In car load lots.
The whole effort is for such legislation
as viii permit the Middle West jobbers
TO deal directly with the retailers In this
territory on as favorable terms az the
jobbng houses here, which have large
capital invested. pay taxes and furnish
employment to an army of people,
Tho Middle West side OF the case was
heard In St. Louis last fall and according
10 the testimony introduced revealed the
fact that the jobbers of the Middle West
BY their plan sought only TO Increase the
profits on sales in this territory When
admitting that such n Encouragement OF
freight rates or classification, would in
crease their earnings, they were most en-
phatic In declaring that II was not their
Intention to divide this extra profit with
the dealers
At the conclusion OF the hearing Of the
Middle West side OF the case important
business called tho commission East, and
an adjournment WAS taken until this
month. when general hearing was had
In Los Angeles.
Representatives OF the Pacific Coast
Johbers' and Manufacturers Associa ton
we're present n. the st. Louis meeting. and
since that time have gotten together an
gray of facts which they claim TO not
only dirprove the allegations made at st.
Louis but TO show the great injustice the
granting Of tho prayer OF tho Middle West
jcs,ters would work in this territory.
Coast jobhers have united unanimously
In the Tight to keep the invaders out OF
the limited territory that. at best. can
ever belong TO tho Coast jobbers who have
Invested large capital and carry larger
stocks, In comparison, than any OF the
jobbing houses OF the Middle West