The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-01-22

MIR. Conner of the Fort Worth and Rio
GNinde stated that elevators should be
located whore the grain is produced,
The commission took the question IN
der adyisoment.
FLAT COTTON SHIPMENTS.
after the grain hearing the commission
took up the following:
Whereas, Complaint has been made
to this commission that in the trans
purtaticn OF cotton on open or hat
cars. such cotton Is subject to serious
damage on account Of exposure TO
rain and bad weather. and OF being
kept wet to prevent damage by fire,
and II appearing that some amend
ment to commodity tarin No. I'D is
necessary to remedy the matter cam-
planned of, IT is ordered that notice
be and the same is hereby given TO
all persons interested that the rail-
road commission OF Texas will on
Monday, January 81, 1901. at it's Office
IN Austin, make up and consider the
matter of said complaint with q view
to 50 amend commodity tariff No.
I'D, applying on cotton. as to either
prevent the transportation Of cotton
on open or nat cars, or to reduce the
present rates 5 cents per 100 pounds
on shipments in open or nat Oars, or
TO prescribe such ether lower rates on
cotton SO transported as may appear
necessary to afford relief In the
PROMISES. 1T being understood that
such proposed amendment viii not af
feet cottcn for concentration
The second complaint was made by C.
Carter of Dallas saying that the Hous-
ten and Texas Central was hauling cot
ton in open cars, which damaged 1t and
caused a higher rate of Insurance. Cot
ton bundled in open cars is exposed to
the elements and sparks from the engine.
The congresses wet the cotton while in
transit and when il is loaded into the
hold Of a ship 1t is greatly damaged when
it resches its destination. other roads
handle the cotton in box cars after 81
leaves the compress. The insurance rate
would be less IL the cotton was whipped
in box cars. Mr.. Carter said that Vhe
insurance companies did not discriminate
against the Houston and Texas Central.
He did not have experience enough 20
suggest a remedy unless the cQmnlsS on
raise the rate for open cars but that he
knew that Texas cotton did not reach
It's destination in as good condition as
cotton from other countries. He esu-
mated that the Houston and Texas Gem
trail handled half million bales this sea-
son, hut he did not know the percentage
of cotton from Texas damaged when II
reached the foreign port. When the cot
ton Us insured it Is not very closely in
spected.
In reply 20 a question from Attorney
Parker on the Sunset Central. he sait
he had no way of knowing whether thS
cotton was really damaged at the for
eign port or not. He said the Houston
and Texas Central wet down cotton foul
or five years ago. He had few countr!
claims for damages before January !, bu
great many after that on account o
condition of cotton.
| Attorney Parker stated that damage b,
/ fire during the past FIVE years did no
! exceed $4,000,
| w. p Beers Of Galveston. marine IN
derwrher, stated that the country dam
age Of Texas Is Increasing every veal
end in his mind II was due 70 Nat ca
hauls and wetting the cotton down Il
/ transit. The insurance rate at New or
! leans Is is cent lower than in Texai
which Is due to the Texas record. He ad
mitted that the Texas and Now Orlgani
hauled cotton into New Orleans on fat.
! Vice President Quinlan OF the Houston
1 and Texas Central STATED that his roat
( handled the bulk OF cotton on fats unit
after January l. when they put II Il
box cars as they had plenty OF boX ear
after that time; only used fats whei
compelled to do so.
w II. Nichols, cotton inspector for ih'
! insurance men at Galveston. stated tina
a majority OF his reports on country dam
age are on cotton received by the Direc
Navigation company and the Galveston
Houd. on and Northern railroad IL
finds more damage on fiat car cottol
than otherwise. Sometimes the cottol
from fiat cars goes on board ship In
wet condition.
Vice Presldent Van Week OF the Sun
set stated dhat 80 per cent Nf the cotto
handled over his lines were on FATS d
so per cent OF his box CARS were engage
in through traffic service. Our line
never wet cotton, though we always hsV
water in buckets handy in case of fire
Cotton burns more rapidly in box car
and our losses have been greater froa
box car fires than fats There e ius
as much damage hazarding in the mol
Of Ship as on fiat cars. II the rate Wi
reduced all The lines would use flats !
the shipment OF cotton and we would sc
the bulk OF the trade"
Freight Agent Jones Of The Contra
stated that he had received very fei
claims for country damage.
! Mr. Megett, superintendent OF the Di
rect Navigation company, said that cot
ton was put aboard ship without toucnln
the ground. lie delivers the cotton !
good order.
Mr. Ieahey Of Houston inspector 70
the interior compress companies. state
that he could find no more damage in COS
ton coming in on fats than in box cars
both about the same. He has been
! his present position since 1894 Cotto
! is damaged mostly after the middle {
, November.
Mr.. McInnes, superintendent OF m
Aransas Pass, said his line handled III
, cotton on hats and there had been n
complaints He had eleven bales Of col
! ton damaged on fats and four hres 4