The Topeka state journal., 1905-09-20
He WAS STuMPED.
Continued from Page One,

NO-A-NSA IL Ot11 e-oC O%@~.S
I. N. Hockaday, the complaining
witness, was called first by the de-
PENDANTS. He was simply asked to
Identify the Martin Rate Book" q
publication used by travelling men to
show the freight tariffs on hardware.
This book is published by man in
Mr.. Hockaday's. employ. Mr.. Hocka-
day admitted that he used the book
frequently in his business. The book
was then placed in evidence.
A. A. Kinney was the next witness,
and by him Mr. Atwood simply veri-
fed the allegations concerning rates
which were contained in the interplea-
The hearing of the case did not be-
gin until about o'clock in the after
noon. Geo. w. Wheatley, one of the
members of the board, was delayed
by washout, and the board could get
no trace of him. The board had just
announced that 1t would continue the
case for two weeks, owing to Mr..
Wheatley's absence, when that gem
tleman walked into the room. The
board then reconsidered its decision,
and the hearing proceeded.
All the testimony at the hearing is
being taken by two stenographers.
This is the first hearing of importance
to be held in the rooms of the state
board of railroad commissioners since
their new rooms were fitted up for
use. There is a large crowd attending
the sessions of the board composed
largely of the attorneys and freight
traffic experts of the various railroa ds.
Mr.. Lincoln on the Stand.
J. c. Lincoln, general freight agent
of the Missouri Pacific. and one of the
leading freight experts of the west.
was the witnesS stand before the
board this morning from o'clock ~une
til II. when the board adjourned its
morning session.
The feature of Mr.. Lincoln's testi-
mony was his statement that on April
90 new tariffs were issued by the rail-
road companies for the purpose of
an equality with interior jobbers, SO
far as reaching the western part of
the state is concerned.
This April readjustment, Mr.. Lin
coin claimed, entirely did away with
the tariffs in the Martin rate book,
which was in evidence yesterday, and
upon which the compliments based
some strong evidence.
In response to questions by Mr.. At
wood, Mr.. Lincoln cited the rates to
Clearwater, Arkansas City, Conway
Springs, Pratt and Harper and in
each instance testified that both Atchi-
son and Wichita jobbers reach the
points in question at the same rate,
about cents over the st. Louis job
bers.
1.-The freight charges from both
points are practically identical" said
Mr.. Lincoln. The adjustment of April
| 20 was accomplished by ma advance of
many of the rates from Missouri river
points, and reduction from some in
terror points"
what about this ton per mile rate
comparison" ?" asked Mr.. Atwood.
'It is not a fair COMPARISON. SAID
Mr.. Lincoln, because the rate from
st. Louis to Atchison is compelled by
short haul line. The wrong basis OF
comparison has been used
"Why the difference in the carload
rates in Missouri and in Kansas?" was
asked. ES
1.-THE rates in Missouri are lower be-
cause there is more carload freight
east of the Missouri river. The COM
petition for carload business has
thrown carload rates out of relation to
less than carloadrrates.'
Mr.. Lincoln denied that the rate to
Wichita is the sum of the locals. He
said that Wichita is percentage
point and that there is really re-
auction of per cent from the full
| local tariff.
Mr.. Lincoln criticised in detail the
map which had been prepared by the
compIainants, showing the rates out OF
Wichita. He said that the figures Were
incorrect. as they were based on the
| old tariffs.
map" said Mr.,I1ncoln. the jobbers
at Atchison and Wichita would be able
| to get in their goods at exactly the
/ same freight rate.
On the cross examination. number
! of Questions were asked Mr.. Lincoln
| to find out whether his road would be
! willing to grant Wichita the same ad-
vantage over Atchison that Atchison
/ enjoys over st. Louis.
1--WE object to any reduction in oul
rates" was Mr.. Lincoln's reply.
'sWhy do you object to giving W1ch-
ita the same advantage Atchison en-
| joys?''
.'It is our duty to be fair to all. Any
! adjustment which gives an advantage
to any point will not stand"
"Wil you give the same d1fferentia
TO interior jobbers that you give to
! Missouri river jobbers?"
s"The Missouri river has cent
differential over st. Louis, and the in
terror points are on a parity with the
| Missouri river was Mr.. Lincoln S
reply.