The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-11
HARD KICK MADE 0N PRIVATE CARS MidgIey Says it is a Gigantic
 Trust RAILROADS IN ITS POWER Important Session of Interstate Com. merce Commission Is Held In Chi
 caeo to Consider the
 Question.
IN ITS POWER

l Chicago, October 1O.-What is regarded as one of the most important sessions of the interstate commerce commission this year. was held here today. The feature of the meeting was an inquiry into rela- tions of private car companies and rail- road companies, and the effect on trade. 1 J. w. Mdgley was the principal wit ness He declared that the system of private ownership of cars had the rail- road companies firmly in it's grasp" and was 'one of the greatest powers ever known
 Asked for a solution of the difficulty | MT. Midgley suggested q per diem sys- l tenn Put refrigerator cars on per uiem basis of fifty cents for so much weight" he said, stock cars on a 50 cents basis, and otner cars on 20 cents l basis.'
 MT. Midgley's testimony tended to show | that by a comprehensive system of re- bates and commissions. transportation of many of the principal commodities of | commerce is almost wholly within the grasp of the private car" companies. which are aDlc to regulate rates and prices to a degr,e that practically stifles competition.
 Tt is all a question of traffic. said 1 MT. Midgley, "and 1 do not mean to re- | fleet in any way upon the traffic man agers of our railroads-any traffic man. ager who does not get business will lose l his position. He simply has to get 1t, and he can get only by meeting the terms made for him by his competitors There are inferior raIlways just as there are inferior men, and as soon as struggling | line, starving for business sees fit to dick CT with these shipping combines con- peting roads must follow their lead | MT. Midgley admitted it was because | the railways have $SO0,OOO0D investigated | in freight cars of their own, which are in danger of falling into decay and use lessness because of the growth of the | private car" system, that the railways | were anxious to clip the wings of the 1 "privates.
 James s. Watson of the firm of Porter Brothers which firm passed through bankruptcy, was also examined. MT. Wat son admitted that he probably realized $50,00O a year through his transactions with the Eruitgrowers Express company | as profit, which is said to be shippers | rebate.
 The movement to investigate the priv 1 ate car situation was originally begun {, by the National League of Commission | Merchants at Louisville a year ago. l Evidence is said to have accumulated to
 
 is in a trust. The companies not only l insist upon exclusive contracts but also 1 demand mileage from the railroads, and l thereby gam annual returns of 20 to 20 l per cent on the investments. The same statements are made concerning the oil l and beer car lines.
 | law of supply anu demand. which ought 1 as a general rule always to regulate wages and prices"
 Will Revise the Tariff.
 He declared that the protection policy l of the republicans has bred monopoies and combinations, and that the democ- racy stands pledged to revision of the | tariff.
 As to the Philippines he said that con 1 gress should promptly declare first to give independence to the Filipinos as soon as safety will permit, and second to pro- tect them until they work out their des- tiny Speaking on sectional and race agi- tation, he declared that this Is still white mans government, and must neces- sarily largely remain so, and that there is no defense for force bills federal election laws.
 | After criticizing the Presidents Panama policy, MT. Hill closed with tribute to the democratic presidential candidate, saying that the country needs level headed and conservative statesman Tor its chief executive, weary of sensational and spectacular performances In the White House."
 Senator Daniel Appauded.
 Senator Daniel of Virginia was the next | speaker. He protested against the atti- tude of the republican party toward the Philippines, and advocated the independ- ence of the islands. He charged that the Shoot inquiry in the United States sen- ate was postponed until after the election in order that Utah might be delivered to the republicans, and criticized the repub- lican party for its inconsistent record on the currency question.
 Like the other speakers he condemned President Roosevelt for his action in the recognition of Panama, and denounced the present tariff oppressive.
 Governor Whyte Given Ovation. l Ex-Governor Pinckney Whyte made the the recipient of a great ovation Like over 60, but is vigorous physically and Davis since his youth He paid a high tribute to him and predicted the election of the democratic ticket.
 MT. Davis and Mir. Hill also addressed the overflow meeting. The special train conveying Senator Davis and party will leave here at s:10 tomorrow en route through Maryland and West Virginia towns. The tour will end at Bluefield w. Virginia.