The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-01
AUTOCRACy WORSE
THAN IN RUSSIA
Domination of Shippers SO
Designated.
Mr.. HOOkER'S FIERCE WORDS
Uses Caustic Language to Characterize
the Traffic Management of
Southern Railroads.
Mr.. HOOkER'S FIERCE WORDS

In the reading of a long statement be-
fore the Senate Interstate Commerce
Committee today, James j. Hooker.
chairman of the legislative committee
of the Receivers and Shippers Associa-
ton. o. Cincinnati. Ohio, declared that,
in his opinion the transportation domi-
nation of shippers constituted "a worse
autecracy than Russia.
The witness spoke with emphasis
about some of the matters complained
of by his association, but also declared
he thought the railroads had made
mistake in keeping down rates in the
South in an attempt to compete with
New England on cotton gocss,
The committee held a short executive
session and determined to meet again
on Friday morning.
Some Direct Views.
Witness Hooker. in answer to a ques-
ton by Senator Kean, expressed favor
for the Townsend-Esc bill. He thought
the rulings of the Interstate Commerce
Commission should go into effect imme-
diateIy upon being made public, rather
than compelling shippers to await
hearing of the case and its upholding In
court.
mere Will De NJ pdHIC III StOCkS II
such a bill is passed. commented Mr..
Hooker: .'such declarations are much
exaggerated
The witness did not express d very,
high opinion OF the average traffic man.
ager of railroad. 1.-The minds of few
traffic men are broad enough to proper
ly manage the interests they represent, -
said he IF Samuel Spencer would
ward, off the Townsend-Eseh bill and
what 1t purposes to accomplish, he
would form court of arbitration and
review of his own An ability to avoid
litigation is usually considered valuable
in q traffic manager, but is not always
possessed by such officials.
There is reluctance, d stubborn
ness, an indisposition TO change traffic
arrangements. One good fellow among
| the traffic managers can do more on the
score of friendship than an earnest
! manufacturer striving to get a rate re-
adjusted to meet his needs.
Ferguson Yields Time.
| When the time of opening the hearing
arrived committee work IN other parts
| of the Senate wing kept a majority of
the members of the committee from
attending Those present were Chair
man Elkins, Mr.. Kean, Mr.. Doliiver,
| Mr.. Clapp. Mr.. Foster of Louisiana,
and Mr. MeLaurin.
E. NJ Ferguson. of Duluth, began his
| tes. .ruony, in continuation OF that given
| heretofore, and had spoken only a few
minutes when E. p. Bacon, the statfs-
tical expert, who has testified several
times before committees Of Congress
on this subject, asked that Mr. Hooker
be given ffteen minutes time.
| Mr. had with
| the President shortly after noon. and
| desired to leave Washington tonight for
the West Indies, so Acting Chairman
| Dolliver asked Mr. Ferguson 10 sus-
pend long enough to enable Mr.. Hooke!
to read his argument. This request
was granted, and Mr.. Hooker occupied
the whole Of the session.
| Chairman EIkins asked whether there
| would not be dissatisfaction in some
| cities if rates were changed to suit other
| localities
Mr. Hooker assented to this, but said
| Il was never. possible to please every
body and that the shippers didn't expect
| to get general satisfaction
Low Rates a Mistake
Low rates to the South would not
offset the better grade of goods made in
New England. witness said
Then the railroads are just throwing
| away that much money!" inquired Sen
| ator Dolliyer, in surprise.
Exactly replied witness. 't,Gne
Southern traffic managers fell into a
general error in thinking that the South
ern cotton mills were in competition
with New England factories. But this
| competition exists o.Jy in one grade oil
print goods
! Witness used some caustic language II
characterizng the Louisville and Nash.
Vile railroad and its president. He said
Mr.. Spencer would have Congress
believe that adjusting rates between 10
caiities is the most intricate problem
known. He would have you think thai
any change would create the Creates
difficulties which have existed since thu
days of the Tower OF Babel. l thinl
he has much overestimated the Conse
| quences which would attend sucf
changes
Chairman Elkins asked witness wheth
er he would feel secure if he had his for
| tune investC in railroad and knew
some one else was going to make TIL,
rates Would not he be anxious 20 sci
out, the Senator asked.
| Witness thought he would feel secure
| in his position and would not want Il
sell He thought the commission should
have supervision of joint rates, wher
rail and water transportation was neceS
sary TO reach a destination. He coulC
not express such a definite view as t
! rates through Canada, in competition
| with American railroads