New-York tribune., 1900-11-15


witness stand and said that other road had
station in Brooklyn. He said that the Pennsyl-
vana had delivered the hay at the point agreed
until the congestion Of traffic made II impossible
to continue doing
On cross-examnation Mr.. Joyce asked II the
refusal to deliver hay the point agreed on had
not destroyed the market OF the shippers, and he
replied that a great extent it had but that they
were not damaged account OF that because
other markets in other cities were still open TO
them The company would suffer by loss OF pat
ronage. while the merchants would mercy be
forced TO receive their hay at the Palmer Dock
instead OF in the station
Henry G. Bliven, the agent Of the North Fourth
ct. station testified that verbal notice given
to the New-York Hay Company that after
tain date the railroad company could not receive its
hay for delivery at the Fourth-st station. Fifteen
days were given in which to up the and
present briefs. and the case adjourned
UNDERRILLING A COMMON PRACTICE.
Then came an inquiry into the underblllhg Of
various forms OF merchandise. to learn TO what
extent underbilling practised
Robert G. Stevenson, general inspector Of the
Trunk Lines. said he had found in New-Yorh from
1900 to 10000 month OF Misrepresentation
in the description of freight whereby lower rate
was obtained than would be possible otherwise
Five per cent OF the merchandise shipped >ut Of
New-York, he said, wrongly described Sd that
a lower freight rate might be obtained than the
shipper was entitled to
tnelr shipments wrongly waslarge, and he thought
1T would have salutary sefsect II they were in
formed that they would be prosecuted for future
misrepresentation.
II. c. Blye, general agent said he thought from
TO AZ per cent OF the shipments from New
YORK City were frauduently described. which If
not discovered would mean a loss TO the railroads
OF from $4,000 TO $4,000 a month
Mr.. Joyce, traffic manager OF the Pennsylvanta
Railroad, said there were very few cases where
ne could say positively that the shippers intention
ally msrepresented the character Of the freight
shipped. and when they did it was done at the in
stance OF the merchants to whom the goods
shipped He said that while the railroads knew
that this done. he quite sure that no rail-
road encouraged II means OF getting freight
shipped its line less than the usual rate.
He also admitted that the railroads had taken
steps to secure the punishment Of those who even
habtualIy shipped goods under a wrong name and
billed them at less than their proper weight.
GRAIN SHIPMENTS FROM BUFFALO.
The next case called was an inquiry with re-
gard 10 the collecting and shipping OF grain
Nathan Guiford general traffic manager Of the
New-York Central. sworn. The New-York
Central. West Shore. Lehgh Valley, Lackawanna
and Erie railroads. he said. composed the New
York Grain Committee. Of which Frank Harriott
is the chairman. It expected that Mr.. Har-
riott would look after all grain which came into
Buffalo for shipment 10 New-York City, whether
for domestic consumption or export.
Mr. Harriott the tcint agent OF the
railroads mentioned the floor of the Produce
Exchange. as prior to Mr. Harriott's appointment
rates had become demoralized- He was asked II
he remembered what proportion Of the grain was
allotted TO the Erie road and ne replied:
IT remember what per cent each road was 10
have but I decline TO answer, because It was an
agreement between the several roads. and have
no right to that question without the con-
sent of all the roads interested in the agreement
VIII you furnish tho committee with memo
ra1da of the allotments between the roads, he
NO. sir; on the ground that is purely State
York City on through bills of iading from the
West but was invariably billed from Buffalo 10
Were you enabled after, pooling your interests
we did raise the rate from three four cents
in November Mr.; Gunfoord replied .,a- ra,a
ever .eTs since"
did not receive grain for shipment to New-York ex-
Pt d f es eevaors ao IN IN The the with
excePtion he said were very small an,cb Is nc,
small nal and a,isIa is not in the association
Has the Committee representing the several
roads in this pool refused to receive freight from
THE committee has not, as committee, but the
New-York Central Railroad has
Has the West Shore Road refused?
the Weslsrn ss e3s4dr of
caton ton or with the individual elevators o,.
With the association. We pay them nan a
cent bushel all grain which We carry from
Buffalo to New-York Harbor -,
What are the names Of the elevators II vt Ire ,
association which owned by the NeW-lolA
Central Raroad?'
"City elevators and B. .,-- 90,
rs there a contract between the association ana
the several roads,"
Not a contract. but an agreement 49,, .,Aa
ment each road is to have a certain proportion OF
the business and that is being done as neAf'' 8'
possible. -, 1,,iesior I
Mr. Guford was excused and the Commission
adjourned until II o'clock this morning