The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-16
RAILROAD NEWS.
Interstate Commerce Commits
sion Holds Hearing.
Illegal Agreements Between
Southwestern Railroads.
SANTA FE A PARTY.
BiddIe Tells Of Roads CoDnec-
ton With Freight Tariff.
Other information Secured Re-
garding the Tariff.

Chicago, Nov 16.-Assistant General
Freight Agent Bartholomew of the IN
ternationa1 & Great Northern frankly
admitted at the hearing before the in
terstate commerce commission Friday
that he had attended the meeting OF
the southwestern traffic bureau. at
which the advance in freight rates
from st. Louis to Texas points was
agreed upon. He was the first witness
to make that admission during the IN
CURRY into the new rates.
Mr.. Bartholomew was called to the
stand by General Counsel Steadman of
this road. but his testimony proved
disappointment to the commissioners,
who thought they might thus secure
information concerning the supposed
illegal agreement between the soutn-
western roads. Mr.. Bartholomew Sal0
he was sent by his company to attend
the meetings of the traffic bureau in
st. Louis early this year to make the
best possible ARRANGEMENTS for his
road with connecting lines.
He insisted that only an informal
discussion took place among the repre-
sentatiVes of the various road, but he
secured advantageous terms for his
company in the way of higher freight
rates.
Although bombarded with questions
by Commissioner Prouty and 5. H.
Cowan attorney for the commission.
Mr.. Bartholomew revealed little that
could be used as a basis for legal pro
ceedings against the roads for viola
ton of the Sherman antitrust act.
The next witness. W. L. Morey,
auditor of the International & Great
Northern, was on the stand for more
than three hours. He gave informa-
ton regarding the history Of the road.
its physical condition, cost of OPERA
ton, earnings. and like matters.
10 say =
Santa Fe railway system, said his com
pany was d party to the joint freight tar
III to Texas points JOINT ga I z ne sa no.
tice. but to put joint rates in effect re-
quired consultations of the traffic officials
Of the roads interested.
The st. 1ouis-Texas organization IS OIL
cially known as the southwestern tarid
bureau. Every intelligent traffic official.
Mr. Biddle said, knows that wages and
the cost of everything needed in operating
the roads had increased beyond the CON
troll of the railroads and he thought they
were entitled to better compensation for
transporting freight.
Mr. Biddle declared the cost Of operation
on his company's lines had increased from
10 to 25 per cent in the last three years,
and the railroads could no longer afford to
made during times of depression.
Some rates he admitted, may be too
high, others too low but when it is found
that the complaints of shippers are wen
founded corrections are made.
DO you know of any instances in
reduction?' asked Commissioner Prouty.
we make frequent reductions" replied
Mr. Biddle, when we find the condi-
Commissioner FTfer asked whether the
large increase in the volume of business
did not countersct in a great measure the
increased cost of operation
Mr.. Biddle did not think it did. While
gross earnings, he said. had greatly in
creased during the last two years, the net
earnings of his company had actually de-
creased
The Inquiry will be resumed this morE-
ing.