The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-10
GOOD FOR SHIPPERS OF TRUCK.

people of other truck and fruit Sec
tons, as we'll as shippers of fresh
meat Mr. Bennett. of Minnesota, has
introduced a bill that puts these ears
under the control of the Interstate
Commerce Commission. a special from
Washington to the Atlanta COnstitu-
ton showing the need of such a law,
SAYS:
For several years the evils Of the
private freight and refrigerator syS-
tenn nave been increasing until now.
as the Interstate commerce commits,
sion shows in it's last report, they have
developed into almost intolerabe mo-
nopoly. Formerly there were many
different lines OF fruit, dairy refriger-
ator and cattle cars. There was com
petition among them. so the service
was excellent and the prices reason
able to the public. But within til
last year or two the Standard Oil
Company. by it's tank cars, and the
beef truSt-especially the Armour
Packing Company. by its refrigerator
cars. have held q practical monopoly
Of this kind OF business. They have
compelled railroad companies TO make
exclusive contracts. for long period.
for use Of their cars. 1t was shown
in d case before the Interstate com
merce commission that the Pere Mar
quette railroad made an exclusive con-
tract for five years with the Armour
company for the use of its private re-
frigerator cars, which practically
placed the whole fruit business of
Michigan at the mercy of the beef
trust These people because they mad
this MONOPOLY, were able to raise the
prices for their cars. ard their charges
for icing and refrigeration of cars 10
$45 per ear for ice. when reasonable
price for this service should not nave
exceeded $40 per car.
The companies owning these pf1-
waite ears have resorted to similar
methods in the Southern States, and.
in fact ali over the country. Their
contracts with the railroads require
the roads to handle their refrigerator
cas- exclusively. under penalty of be-
ing deprived Of the beef trust ship
ments. as liz the case of the Michigan
contract il they refused. The Deef
trust being the largest single shipper
in the West. is in a position TO dictate
terms to everybody with whom IL
comes in conference.-the particular
~ every railroad.
During the beef strike the Armour
Packing Company went into the pou!-
cry business, an6 was cornering the
supply OF poultry in the West. It's
contracts with the railroads for the
cars put it in a position where il
could charge two CT three times the
customary or fair price for the use
of it's cars. this enabling it to drive
cut all competitors in its new field.
The testimony before the commissions
shows that at different times the beer
trust had been engaged in the dairy
and egg business. and has also dealt
IN fruits ana poultry. 1t also shows
that the big brewing companies OF
Milwaukee get Il large rebate, amount
ing to many thousands of dollars an
nuaHy by means of their system OF
private car service.
THE members of the COMMITTEES.
who have given much study to the
subject say that unless this private
car abuse is checked. ala of the pro-
ducers yof and dealers in the articles
mentioned, rs well as the consumers
OF the country will be subject TO the
ayarice OF he heef trust and its kim
bred organizations--the owners or
these private cars. In the case OF the
standard Oil Company, the method ny
which it secures its rebates has been
shown 10 be by requiring railroads
transporting It's products TO use its
ears and poy therefor price several
times more than is reasonable. III
this way the Standard Oil Company
is enabled to transport its products
for little or nothing. while its smaller
competitors are obliged to pay the full
tariff rates provided by the regular
schedules Of the railroads. 1t Is
claimed that there IS not another
method by which the system of in
dustrial monopoly has been as mucn
furthered as by this use of private
freight cars.
The advantages to both the rail
roads and the public of having an
abundance of cars of peculiar con-
struction adapted for particular trade
purposes, is of course, recognized; Dut
what is sought 70 be secured by this
measure is that such cars shall be
ready for the public when needed ard
at minimum expense.
The bill would make it unlawful
for any owner or operator of private
cars to solicit, give or receive any
discrimination. rebate or unjust ad-
vantage by reason of use of such cars,
ii provides that the cars shall be
transported at no higher or different
rates than that provided in tie
schedules of rates filed with the com~
mission: that shippers in other cars
shall not be subjected to any dis
elimination thereby; that the amount
charged for private cars shall be just
and reasonable and no greater than
is paid by the railroad in its usual
business to other railroads for use OF
similar cars, and that all charges for
service such as refrigeration, etc,
shall be Just and reasonable. The
interstate commerce commission is TO
be given full authority TO investigate
and settle any question or dispute con-
corning these provisions and the ser
vice they cover. The penalties pro-
vided are identical with those provid-
ed by the Eikins bill. passed in the
last congress. relative to rebates and