Evening star., 1902-01-24
Hartman Also Witness Before Inter-
state Commerce Commission.
INTERESTING SESSION In CHICAGO
Questions Regarding the Influence
of Combines on Rates.
ANENT PROPOSED MERGER
RAILWAY MAGNATEs To TESTIFY.
interesting Meeting of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.

Interesting Meeting of the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
CHICAGO. January 24.-What is expected
to he one Of the most interesting sessions
Of the Interstate commerce commission ever
held began here today. The promised pres
cncv of j. J. Hill and E. III. Hartman, who
supposed to know all about the COM
.nunity of interests plan of the railroads,
stnd who were expected to enlighten the
commission various points concerning
the plan. brought a crowd of curious peo-
pie, chiefly traction men, into court.
1t is the expressed purpose of the COM
mission to discover If possible what
changes. If any, have been created between
the general public and the railroads by
reason OF the associate management of
the latter. The commissioners desire to
ind out If the carrying out of the COM
munity of interests idea has affected the
rate situation in way contrary to law, or,
as claimed If it is likely to affect the sta
hhity and non-discrimination in rates for
which the commission has long battled.
Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Hartman both reached
Chicago during the morning, and Mr.. HILL
accompanied by Mr.. Grover. his attorney,
came at once before the commission. Chair
man Knapp. being appealed to- stated that
Mr.. Hill would be allowed to testify at
time which would permit him to take a
train for New York tonight Mr.. Hill
would not talk to reporters, who sought an
outline of his testimony.
Darius Miller, first vice president and
rattle manager of the c., B. and O.. and
former traffic manager of the Great North
-rn, was the first witness. In answer to
questions by Mr.. Day, attorney for the
commission, Mr.. Miller stated that the
Burlington was absolutely independent in
its operation and in the making of rates
Have you received Instructions from
either Mr.. Hill or Mr. Hartman in regard
20 making rates?" Mr.. Day asked.
Il have received none" the witness an
Swered
Commissioner Prouty asked the witness
% what extent the Northern Pacific and
Great Northern were competitors. and Mr.
Miller put the competitive traffic at about
- per cent He declared that the Buring-
Ton was not competitor of the Great
Northern and Northern Pacific. He said
the two Northern roads had made fire.
Iuent agreements to maintain rates, but
said he knew of no penalty ever having
been imposed for violation of agreements.
.-- j. c. Stubbs Testifes.
j. c. Stubbs, traffic manager of the South
ern Pacific and the Union Pacific fol-
lowed Mr.. Miller. Mr.. Stubbs stated that
f. H. Hartman was chairman of the
board of directors of both roads but that
he was appealed to only in extraordinary
cases. Mr.. Stubbs said no such case had
arisen since his appointment and that he
had proceeded under his general instruc-
lions from Mr.. Hartman. He said that
iatcS Scheidly Hdu DeSI idlTly WeIl main
tained. but that there had been demoraliza-
ton in Colorado and Utah. He declared
that the Southern Pacific and Atchison, To-
peka and Santa Fe Were competitors.
rs there no agreement between you and
the Atchison road as to a division of the
oil and sugar trafhc?" asked Mr.. Day.
None whatever, replied the witness
There is division of the organic traffic but
this IS due to the fact that about 30 per
cent of the crop Is tributary to each line
The witness averred that the Union Pa
cif1c and the Southern Pacific were COM
petitors. although he admitted that he be-
lieVsd the Union Pacific controlled the
Southern Pacific. He declared that this
control could have no effect on rates, owing
to the existence Of competition.
"A look at the map will show you what
this competition is" Mr.. Stubbs observed
paienthetically.