The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-10
THE RATES ON GRAINS
RESULTS OF INVESTIGATION AT
 KANSAS CITY.
What Information was Obtained was Developed After Persistent Cues tioning of the
 Law is Denied.

Kansas City, Jan. 9-The Interstate Commerce Commissioners spent six hours today and examined seven witnesses re- garding grain rates from. Western points to Atlantic seaboard and other Eastern
 destinations. They returned to Chicago tonight, after announcing that the inves-
 January 24. when it is believed several
 big railway officials would be called. What information was elicited here was obtained only after persistent questioning John A. Robinson of the firm of Hall z,
 Robinson of Kansas City, which controls the export grain business of the Missouri Pacific. admitted that W. D. Stith, freight traffic manager of tho Missouri Pacific. 9 to cents per hundred lower than the published tariff. tG. 4sa... Toltfp1 s'
 The Inter State Commerce Camnissiop, whose members arrived on an early train from Chicago, began its tnvestlsa- ticn of eastbound grain rates from Kan sas City this forenoon. Before the nrst test was taken today, the forty or hfty shippers and freight agents summ9ned time the grain men have decided to tell all they know about the situation. and it is believed tho railroad officials will also tell enough to absolye themselves ton will. 1t is believed, be confined to | looking into the charge that freight rates on grain and grain prodnets products from from board are being cut In violation of tho tariffs.
 J. A. Robinson. of the firm of Hall ,h& Robinson, grain commisstoni mer- chants, which firm Mir. Trickett had tes- tifed was the representative here or the Missouri Pacific Railroad. was called. lie was questioned closely as to the recoros of business between his firm ana the admit that there were any such records available. His firm had never, he de clares, received money for rebates or as
 E-~. ssaf1 and other source. directly or indirectly. during the past three years.
 Mir Robinson admitted, however, that w. C. Stith. freight traffic manager 9f vate rate on export grain to New Orleans from to cents lower than the pub lished tariff.
 Oliver Denton. a grain merchant ot ISeavenworth, Kas., would not admit that he was a representative of the Missouri Pacific. His firm had received no money rebates or other concessions from the railroad, directly or indirectly, .. Richardson & O., of Chicago, was the next witness. He declared he did not know or have any intimation or any agreement by which his firm received any special advantage or concession from that railway.
 Assistant General Freight Agent H. K. Kaill of the Union Pacific Company. said grain consigned to the Midland Elevator was billed to kansas Clty, baS., with the right to be shipped on East into any State and went forward at the propor- tionate rate. Commissioner Prouty thought the statement preposterous, say ing that 1t forced the consignor to pay the arbitrary rate in force in Kansas City. unnecessarily. The Commissioners tried to bring out the fact that the exist ence. of the Midland Elevator Company was subterfuge to evade the Inter State Commerce law, and that Eastern destination was intended when grain was first consigned and that q layover here means the application of the arbitrary rate of cent per 100 pounds, which jus tffied the suspicion that an upderhand motive existed.
 MT. Kaill admitted that his road paid to the elevator a cent and fourth per 100 for all grain unloaded. but said this was for unloading the cars expeditiously wi.en cars were in great demand.
 M, C. Maegely. Assistant General Freight Agent of the Santa Fe, said he knew of no private arrangement between and Co.,. and his road and insisted that his road gave no favors. He would mot admit that the arbitrary rate was enforced to maintain through rates. He admitted. however. that while the arbitrary rates existed from all Mis- souri river points, 1t was not enforced at St. Louis. Chicago. Memphis or New Or leans.
 W. Q. Moses. Kansas City grain merchant and c. L. Brink man, A local miller. told how in their belief Kansas City was injured by the the arbitrary rate on grain.