The Saint Paul globe., 1902-11-08
PRESIDENT OF CHICAGO GREAT
WESTERN EXPLAINS RATES
ON LIVE STOCK
DEFENDS THE PRESENT
TARIFFS ON CATTLE
Cites Figures Proving That the Rates
on Cattle and Packing House Prod
ucts Are ReasonabIe-DecIares That
Railroads Did Not Discriminate in
Favor of Kansas City.

CHICAGO, Nov. president A. B.
Stiekney, of the Chicago Great West
ern, was the first witness at the in
Vestigation of the interstate commerce
commission today. He had prepared a
number Of figures to show that rates
imposed by the road were not unreal
sonabie. Mr.. Stickney's testimony was
TO the effect that while there was an
apparently large disparity between the
rates on live stock and the finished
product, yet the conditions of trans
portat1on made the two rates almost
equal Mr. Sickney declared that the
two rates were established on basis
OF an absolutely free market, and the
intention of the railway company was
not to hurt Chicago or to build up
Kansas City. The rate of 1S1a cents on
packing house products, he said, were
made after negotiations with large
shippers, and while the Great Western
mad secured the best rate it could al
low, yet the rate now established was
not unreasonable. He further asserted
that the live stock rate, all things con-
slaered, is not out of proportion to the
other.
Gives Them the Figures.
President Stickney submitted long
table of figures to prove his state
ments and closed his testimony by
the cost Of service and not on the value
of the property hauled
w. l.. Biddle, freight traffic manager
I OF the Santa Fe, who was the next
witness, took issue with President
Stickney in regard to rates of live
stock. He began by stating that the
rates established by his company on
packing house products are the same
as those Of the Great Western, while
live stock If e Oo1xy re-
pared with 231s cents as charged by
the Great Western line. The witness
said the cost Of both were about equal
and railway men generally recognized
that the cost of transportation of fin
ished product was larger than on live
stock
Bird Again on the Stand.
A. c. Bird went on the stand again
today. Mr.. Bird declared that rate
tariffs were governed largely by mar
ket conditions. In reply to a question,
he said rates enforced by his road on
packing house products bring the
greatest good to the greatest number.
Other Officials Testify.
General Freight Agent E. B. Boyd,
of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific;
Vice President Darius Miller, of the
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and
Wisconsin Central, were questioned for
a short time by the representatives of
the Chicago Live Stock Exchange, but
their testimony did not differ materi-
ally from that previously given.
Secretary Thompson, of the Chicago
Live Stock Exchange, went on the
stand shortly before the time for ad-
journing and submitted several state
nlents comparing rates enforced by
Various roads. He will give additional
testimony tomorrow.
VIII Not Finish This Week.
The commission had hoped to con-
clude the hearing this week, but Mr..
Bird said that the railroads would
want more time tc prepare statements
in answer to Secretary Thompson. 1t
was agreed therefore that date for
further examination be fixed before
further adjournment tomorrow.
Chairman Mills, Of the Minnesota
state railroad commission, will also in
troduce evidence at the next meeting.