The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-08
RAILROAD NEWS.
W. B. Biddle Takes Issue With
President Stickney.
Santa Fe Traffic Manager Testi-
fled Before Commission.
WON'T HURT CHICAGO.
Stickney Says His Road Wants
to Be Fair.
f. B. Boyd, of the Rock Island
on the Stand.

Chicago, Nov. S-President A B
Stickney, of the Chicago Great Western
railroad was the first witness at the
second days session of the interstate
commerce commission He had prepar-
ed mum Der OF figures to show that the
rates imposed BY that road were not
unreasonable. Mr. Stckney's testimony
was to the effect that while there was
an apparently large discrepancy be
tween the ra ties on live stock and the
finished product, yet the conditions of
transDOr ta5ion made the two rates al
most equal.
President Stickney declared that ali
rates We're established on a basis of an
absolutely free market. and that the
intention of the railroad company was
not to hurt Chicago or TO build uD Kan
sas City The rate Of 1872 cents on
packing house products. he said. was
made after negotiations with large ship
pers, and while the Great Western had
secured the best rate it could arrange.
yet the one now established Is not IN
reasOna BILE He further asserted that
the live stock rate. all things consider
ed is not out Of proportion to the other.
President Stiekney submitted Q long ia
Bile of figures to prove his statements,
and closed his testimony by stating that
rates should be based on the cost Of
services and not on the value of the
property hauled
W B. BiddIe. freight traffic manager
of the Santa Fe road, who was the next
witness. took issue with President
Srickney in regard to rates live
stock He began by stating that the
rates esta blished by his company on
packing house products are the same
as those OF the Great Western road,
while on live stock it is only l. cents,
compared with 231z cents as charged by
the Great Western line. The witness
said that the cost of both were about
equal and that railroad men generally
recognized that rates should be higher
on the finished products than on live
stock
A. c. Bird. third vice president of the
Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul road,
who testified yesterday, went on the
stand again today MT; BIRD declared
that rates are governed largely by mar
ket conditions In reply to a question
he asserted that the rates enforced by
his road on cattle and packing house
products do not injure the public gen
orally and that they bring the gTea test
good to the greatest number. He ad-
mftted that the rates now il force are
not ideal. but said they are suited to
the conditions generally prevailing
/ Nevertheless ne asserted. he would not
attempt to defend Of. condemn the pre-
/ vailing rates on finished products.
General Freight Agent F. = Boyd Of
the Chicago, Rock Island & PaeIf1c
road Vice President Darius Miller Of
the Chico go Burlington & Quincy road,
and General Freight Agent Johnson of
the Wisconsin Central road, were on the
stand for short time by the repre-
{ sentative of the Chicago live stock ex-
/ change. but their testimony did not DIFF
fer materially from that Of the previous
witness
Secretary Thompson of the Chicago
live stock exchange, went on the stand
/ shortly before the time for adjournment
and submitted several statements, COM
pairing rates enforced by various roads
He viii give additional testimony to-
morrow.
The commission had hoped to con-
clude the hearing this week. but Mr..
Bird of the Chicago Milwaukee & ST.
4 Paul road. said that the railroads would
want time TO prepare statements in an
swer TO Secretary Thompson 1t was
agreed therefore, that a date for fur
/ Their examination be fixed before adj
journment tomorrow
Chairman Mills of the Minnesota state
railroad commission. viii also introduce
1 evidence at the next meeting.