The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-08
RAILWAY men TESTIFY
INTERSTATE COMMISSION PROBING
RATE DISCRIMINATION CHARGES.
Conditions as Viewed by A. Ii. Stick
ney, w. ID. Biddle, A. c. Bird and
f. ID. Boyd.

CHICAGO, Nov. 7.-President A. B.
Stickney. of the Chicago Great Western
Railroad, was the first witness at the Sec
ond days session of the Interstate-com-
merce Commission to-day. He had prepared
a number of figures to show that the rates
imposed by that road were not unreason-
able. 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 con-
ditions Of transportation made the two
rates almost equal. President Stickney de-
clared that all rates were established on a
basis of an absolutely free market, and the
intention of the railroad company was not
to hurt Chicago or to build up Kansas City.
The rate of 1S12c on packing house prod
ucts, he said, 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 is
not unreasonable. He further asserted that
the live stock rate, all things considered.
is not out of proportion to the other. Presi-
dent Stickney submitted a long table of
figures to prove his statements, and closed
his testimony by stating that rates should
be based on the cost of service and not on
the value of the property hauled.
w. 3. Biddle, freight traffic manager of
the Santa Fe Railroad, who was the next
witness, took issue with President Stick
ney in regard to rates on live stock. He
began by saying that the rates established
by his company on packing house products
are the same as those of the Great West
ern Railroad while on live stock 1t is only
12c compared with 2312c as charged by the
Great Western line. The witness said the
cost Of both were about equal and that
railroad men generally recognized that
rates should be higher on the finished prod
uct 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
to-day. Mr.. Bird 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 do not injure the
public generally and that they bring the
greatest good to the greatest number He
admitted that the rates now in force are
not ideal. but said they suited to the
conditions generally prevailing. Neverthe-
less, he asserted, he would not attempt to
defend or condemn the prevailing rates on
finished products.
General Freight Agent z. B. Boyd. OF
the Chicago, Rock Island g. Pacific road
Vice President Darius Miller. of the Chi
cago, Burlington q Quincy road, and Gen
eral Freight Agent Johnson, of the Wis
consin Central road, were questioned fol-
Chicago Live Stock Exchange, but their
testimony did not differ 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 sub.
mitted several statements comparing rates
enforced by various roads. He will give
additional testimony Tomorrow