The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1905-05-12
HILL BEFORE COMMISSION.
Great Northern's President Makes al.
Arniinoen% Ao,;ne+ Q,+a ha,L;..

'oShiii lOd' !hdS o.-JdliIeS d. i1ilI, press
idelt of the Great Northern railway, said
there was only one safe basis on which a
lower rate could be made, and that was
the low cost of producing the transporta-
ton. The value of the service is deter
mined by the density of traffic and that
makes the rate. Rates vary with condi-
'tions. In making rates on his road. he
said. they had to take into consideration
what the country produces. The railroad
was Charged with the prosperity of every
man who lived on the road. If that man
worked.
Determinations We're necessary. declared
Mr.. Hill. When his road was built ne
went to Washington state and found that
ITS greatest product was lumber. There
was a rate of 80 cents per hundred on lum-
Der to the eastern market. Lumber deal
ers said they could ship at Go cents. He
knew they could not do it, and he made a
rate OF 30 cents, and was shipping large
quantities of lumber This was a discrim-
ination against lumber from the EASTERN
end OF the road, but in ten years there
would be no lumber produced in that Sec
ton. 1t was because the cars going out
with merchandise brought back loads that
these low rates could be made. Besides
the merchandise for the Pacific coast his
road handled freight for the orient. Large
Quantities of flour We're hauled from the
w Cities to the orient, but the inter-
state commission stopped it.
Publicity Cost Business.
This statement produced a fire Of qucs-
tons from member OF the committee,
and in reply Mr.. Hill explained that the
company was compelled to file its true
rate with the commission. This rate being
made public was cut by tie rival steam
ship lines. which We're not compelled to
make their rates public. His company;
under the law could not change its rate
Tor seven or eight days. and meanwhile
other lines took the cargoes.
If the ships OF the company did not
carry a pound Of freight it would make no
difference with the dividends.
Speaking OF the great tonnage of the
railroads. Mr.. Hill warned the committee
TO be careful and not cripple the business
OF the country. mot for ourselves" he
added, FOR before you get down to us
there would be a great many corpses
about the country" He spoke of the CON
eest!on of freight at eastern lports, and
sad business was going to the gulf. al
though shipping rates to Europe from
east of Chicago would nave TO raise their,
rates in order to get means toAu:ld moro
Extensive terminals.
Safety for the Public.
Mr.. Hill said that while congress wals
icSislat.ns for the safety appliances for
employees Il might provide greater safety,
Tor the public. He attributed 60 per cent
VI tie dcClo"lts 10 nOnODSerVance OF rules.
lie told of a shipment of locomotives from
Philadelphia to Yokohama by his company
at a rate equal to what another company
charged for trans orting locomotives 800
niles. This is a case" he remarked, for
me interstate commerce commission to
take up ana investigate. They would find
somebody was charging too much"
: Commenting on the statement of MIR.
Hill that in twenty years there had been
a reduction of rates from 9 cents to 76-1N
OF a cent per ton per mile, Chairman Ell
.k.ns asked what would happen regarding.
rates in the next twenty years.
Give the roaGs fair treatment." replied
Mr.. Hill, and in twenty wears think
the rate would come down TO y cent a ton
per mile
Would Block Financial Arrangements
Mr.. Hill said the ability Of the railroads
to raise money to Increase their equipment
and for building additional lines would be
destroyed by taking away from them the
power to make rates. He criticised the
terminal charges forced below the Harlea,
river in New York, saying they were
greater than the rate from Buffalo to
Harlem. He suggested that the inter-
state commission might inves-
tigate these terminal charges.
why don't the commissioners take uD
that NATTER" asked Chairman Elkins.
They are to busy replied Mr.. Hill.
trying to get power to fix rates.
There was quite an interesting discuss
sion between MIR. Hill and Mr.. Elkins
about the competition of Canadian roads,
The latter asked what ought TO be done
to meet the rates and rebates of the
Canadian lines.
w are willing 10 work that out among
ourselves" replied Mr.. Hill. Before we
are through with them they will cease cut
ting rates"
He said that some years since the Trans
continental association paid the Canadian
Pacific road $685. 900 a year to get out Of
certain business on which the road was
cutting rates from New York 10 San
This arrangement lasted only
two years.
Exports and the Commission.
Replying to Senator Foraker. Mr.. Hill
said that no interest would suffer if en-
port traffic with noncontiguous countries
was exempted from control by the inter-
state commerce commission regulations.
This statement was brought out by u
remark of Mr.. Hill that his com
pany had to withdraw its rate on flour to
Japan because the commission insisted
that the r"tc should be published.
Replying 10 a question by Senator Clamp
as to the effect of the Panama canal on the
railroads. Mr.. Hill said that for Atlantic
and gulf ports and for $50 miles inland the
canal would be OF some advantage. But.
he added. ''for all interior points we will
meet any rate made by the canal route"