Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-08
CATTLE RATES ARE FAIR
Great Westerns President Defends Charges
on Live Stock.
SANTA re MAN SUPPORTS SHIPPERS CASE
says Cost of Handling Dead and Liv-
ting Freight IL Equal, but Finished
Products should Pay Most
for HauIaEe.

CHICAGO Nov. IA. B. Stickney, presi-
dent OF the Chicago Great Western rail-
way, was the first witness before the In
terstate Commerce commission today. He
had prepared a number of figures to show
that the rates imposed by that road we're
not unreasonable.
Mr.. Stickneys testimony was to the effect
that, while there was an apparently large
disparity between the rates. on livestock
and the finished product, yet. the conditions
Of transportation made the two rates al
most equal.
He declared that all rates were es-
tablished on a basis of an absolutely free
market and that the intention OF the rail-
road company was not to hurt Chicago or
to build up Kansas City. The rate of 1914
cents on packing house products was made
after negotiations with large shippers and.
while the Great Western had secured the
best rate II could arrange. yet the one now
established was not unreasonable.
He further asserted that the livestock
rate. all things considered, was not out OF
proportion to the other.
He submitted a table Of figures to prove
his statements and closed by stating that
rates should be based on the cost of serv-
ices and not on the value of the property
hauled. tr'frs
santa Fe Joins IAsue.
W. B. Blddle, freight trafic manager Of
the Santa Fe, who was the next witness.
took issue with Mr.. Stickney in regard to
rates on live stock. He began by stating
that the rate established by his company
on packing house products was the same
as that of the Great Western. while on live
stock II was only 12 cents. compared with
1874 cents charged by the Great Western.
The cost OF both were about equal, and
railroad men generally recognized that
rates should be higher on the finished
product than on live stock.
A. c. Bird, third vice president OF the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. was re-
called and declared that rates are governed
largely by market conditions.
In reply to a question he asserted that
the rates enforced by his road on cattle
and packing house products did not injure
the public and that they brought the great
est good to the greatest number. He ad-
mitted that rates now in force were not
ideal, but said they we're suited to the con-
ditions generally prevailing. Nevertheless
he would not attempt to defend or condemn
the prevailing rates on finished products.
z. B. Boyd. general freight agent Of the
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, Darius
lington & Quincy, and the general freight
agent Of the Wisconsin Central. were ques-
toned by the representatives Of the Chi
csgo Livestock exchange, but their testi-
mony did not differ materially from thai
of the previous witness.
MIR. Thompson, secretary OF the Chicago
Livestock exchange, went on the stand
shortly before the adjournment and sub
mItted statements comparing rates enforce5
by various roads. He Will give additional
testimony tomorrow.
The commission had hoped to conclude
the hearing this week. but Mr.. Bird, said
the railroads would want time to prepare
statements in answer to Mr.. Thompson. Il
was agreed, therefore, that a date for fur
ther examination be hxed tomorrow.
The Minnesota state railroad commission
will also introduce evidence at the mex
meeting.