The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-10-23
TESTIMONY IN
MERGER SUIT
President Harris of the BurIing.
ton on the Stand.
HOW HIS ROAD WAS HELPED
FACTS BROUGHT OUT BY GOV
ERNMENT ATTORNEY.

II 7. PAUL, Oct. 22.-The taking Of
testimony in the suit of the gov
eminent VS.. the Northern Securi-
ties company and others interested in
the so-called railway merger was re-
sumed today before Special Examiner
Ingersoll in the United States circuit
court Frederick Weyerhauser, a well
known lumberman, who for the past
year has been a Great Northern direc-
tor, was the first witness. His testi-
mony tended to show the greater bust
ness convenience of shipping over one
system, as compared with several sys-
TENS. He was not cross-examined.
George 3. Harris, president of the
Chicago Burlington & Quincy railway,
was the next witness. He thought the
acquisition of the Burlington by the
Northern Pacific and Great Northern
was the practical extension of the Bur
lington to the coast. He emphasized
the extent of country reached by his
road where no trees grew and asserted
that Nebraska and some other states
would be almost uninhabited If no tim
Der or fuel could be carried in. He
said the future lumber supply must
come from the Pacific coast. The new
Burlington connection with the north
western states helped also in cattle
shipments; his line reached nearly all
packing centers. making a direct con-
nection between the market and the
grazing sections. His line reached all
Illinois coal fields. and I'D to a few
years ago the supply actually exceeded
the demand.
New Markets Necessary.
It was necessary TO find new mar
kets, soft coal was not susceptible OF
transshipment because easily broken,
and a permanent connection with other
lines was sought and finally found in
these northwestern states, thereby
bringing the shipper and consumer
closer together. He told of his desire
10 extend the Burlington to the north
in order 70 secure lumber shipments
and their final decision to build i'm that
direction. The sale to the northern
lines came up and made better and
more permanent arrangement for this
class OF business. Speaking of coal,
he said his company hoped by the
union Of interests to secure iron ore
as a return haul for coal sent to the
north. They were already assured of
the use of such iron ore in and about
81. LOUIS.
Mr.. Day, interstate commerce COM
mission attorney, cross-examined Mr.
Harris, bringing out the Burlington
surveys north to Great Falls, Mont.
which the witness said had not yet
been abandoned.
Simply to Secure Facts.
He told also of the surveys west Of
Denver twenty years ago, but ex-
planned that the management simply
secured the facts in order 10 present
them 10 the board if wanted. AS TO
the western lumber rates, there was
material reduction to the people in
Nebraska and Missouri river points.
His road was managed by its direc-
tors, as il always had been.
Mr.. Day persisted in questions as to
where President Harris got his orders.
Mr. Harris said there had been no
change at any time in his orders, that
the directors seemed TO think he had
some common sense and might use it,.
He consulted freely with the directors,
however, regarding the policy TO be
pursued. Agents for the Burlington at
various Pacific coast centers looked
after business for that line out there.
He believed thoroughly in publicity in
rates, and said secret rates were stead
| fly going out Of use. Adjourned until
| tomorrow.