The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-04

where his assets had been increased $1,000
or even $500, by the many reductions In
rates made by the commission, although
the railroads had lost millions OF dollars
thereby.
Chairman Reagan thought that while
Mr. GOODWIN stated the case correctly In
the main, and that while some OF the
gloomy pictures he drew with regard TO
the condition Of Texas railroads were true
to life, 1t was, nevertheless, fact that
the reports of earnings on file with tho
commission showed fair percentages In
comparison with the true value OF the
properties.
Recess to p m.
At the afternoon session Traffic Man
ager Bein explained the basis upon which
the d.fferentia between short leaf aud
long leaf pine lumSer has been made and
protested against any widening thereof
which would result from tie adoption
OF mileage tariff Generally speaking,
the car movement on the Southern Facine
lines was probably as great this year as
last, but the receipts OF revenue were
much smaller owing to the cotton crop
shortage. Believed that what was left OF
the crop was in sight in the towns and
that there was no cotton left In the hands
OF the producer to move except the Brszos
valley.
Judge Freeman OF the Texas and Pacific
said there was 40 per cent shortage
OF cotton on his line this year
General Freight Agent Allen OF the
Katy reported SO per cent shortage OF
cotton on his line this year. With regard
TO lumber rates, he said he had corre-
sponded extensively with lumbermen on
his road and had not found single one
who was dissatisfied with existing lumber
tariffs. Replying to a question by Com
missioner Mayfeld, Mr.. Allen did not see
i . 49,. a
relieve the situation at Farmersville. Nc
Kinney, Plano. Garland etc. He thought
said situation should be treated as local
and the rates checked In and readjusted to
observe the equities as closely as pos
sibe
General Attorney Spoonts OF the Fort
\ Worth and Denver figured IL out that tho
proposed lumber mileage tariff would ad-
versely affect the revenues OF his road TO
the extent OF about $4,000 and showed
that 1t could not stand this, owing to
| the large amount of construction material
1t must buy for betterments at advanced
prices.
General Attorney Stedman of the In
ternational and Great Northern opposed
the mileage tariff proposition as TO lum-
| Der rates. To him Ii appeared that there
was no trouble except at few places
and he did not understand why the entire
| lumber rate adjustment should be dis
turbed to cure local Inequalities. 1t WAS
easy enough, he thought, TO adjust the
few rates which might be Justly conf
planned OF without constructing tarifi
that would practically bankrupt the South
Texas mills. TO adopt a mileage tariff
would deprive the North and West Texas
consumers OF the competition of the South
Texas lumber manufacturers. The ad-
vance in the price OF lumber was not due
to freight rates. The lumber industry il
fiourishing under existing rates, which ar.
CUES that there Is no necessity for e re-
dueton of said rates. In conclusion
Judge Stedman referred to the approach
ing extra session OF the legislature. at
which an effort would be made TO greatly
increase the taxes on railroad property
Money would have to be found to pay
these taxes, hence he thought the con-
mission should not, without necessity, di
, minish the capacity OF the roads to earn
this money
John O'Byrne a mill man OF Gladewater
could not understand why any mill mel
: should oppose a reduction in rates, d
seemed to be the case with all othe
mill men present. 1t made him tired I
hear the South Texas mill fen talk abou
; mileage rate giving the Northeast reHa
mill men a monopoly Men with plant
. cutting hundreds OF thousands feet o
. lumber per day getting scared of icy
: little mills without enough capacity I
supply perceptible percentage of the dc
mand! To his mind this was all stuff
) South Texas was superior to the short lea
! product anyhow and need have nothin
+, 10 fear from North Texas competition
! Did not want to deprive the railroads O
! a fair revenue, but he was used to hear
! ing this talk about bankruptcy every tim
there was proposition TO reduce rates
I The papers were full of stun about build
!, ing factories. You might as well whist
= a Zig TO q milestone as to talk about pro
. noting factories in Texas under eHistin
: freight tariffs. Lumber is the most profit
: able freight the railroads have to haul an
:, the lumber tariff is the ons best able
! stand shaving. Lumber Is being haule
: in wagons in North Texas today cheaps
than IL can be hauled by rail aud whe
y lumber can be hauled by wagon cheaps
q than by rail there must be somethin
: rotten in Denmark" Thought mileas
tariff fair. DID not think the consume
n was everybody, neither did he favor dom
e business on cutthroat principles Though
the producer entitled to some considers
" ton.
y S. F. Garter, representing the Emporl
Il Lumber company, said twenty-four mil
a on the Houston East and West Texas a:
Is serted that the adoption OF a mileat
e tariff would result In a reduction of
It per cent IN the value of the property /
ID spoke for Did not propose TO fight r.
,e duction In rates as he was not battlin
l. for the railroads but did object to a
d abandonment Of blanket rates for II
IS transportation of lumber All he wants
N was to put shippers on an even bss
N and to place them in a position TO hol
their own against Louisiana, Arkansas az
h other competition
Ia Cecil Lyons OF Sherman, speaking fro
~ the standpoint of lumber reaiier, d
u not see any reason for general reductie
n in lumber rates at this time. Though
: however, that there should be 4 readtus
=, ment OF rates az some North Texas pDin
y. in the territory west of Greenville. o.
posed a mileage tariff
Mr. Lovett OF the Southern Pacific cou
81 not see where there was any good grouT
NC OF complaint against existing lumb
. /ates There might be some inequaliti
= in said rates In spots which might
as remedled by mutual understanding. b
n there was nothing In this TO justify a ge'
eral reduction and wholesale destructi'
he OF earnings.
OF Mr.. Martin on behalf OF the Arans
" Pass, protested against any reduction
SD rates of any kind.
ut General Attorney Perkins OF the Go
re ton Belt denied that there was any d
1t mand for reduction in lumber rates fro
u consumers and also denied that II SUCH !
tn duction were made u would inure 10
e. benefit OF the consumer.
ne Adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorr'
or rnornfns