Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-05-18
GIVES REBATE CODE.
Former EmplOys Of Armour q Co
Gives Interesting Testimony.
NAMES PARTIES WHO COT REBETES.
Enormous Profits IN Icing Cars
PFOAtn Per Car ora California
Shipments Averaged
$3.50.

Chicago, May 13.-Sensational tes-
timony as to an alleged secret code
used by the Armour Car lines In max
ing rebates was given before the In
terstate Commerce Commission here.
The testimony only was given by H.
Streyckmans, formerly employed by
Armour & Co., as stenographer. Wit
ness read from a book some Of the
code words and their meaning as fol-
lows:
'Laughsome-Reb Launch-Bet-
ter arrange rebate there. Launching
Can make rebate. Laura Handle re-
bate matters very carefully. Lava-Pay
rebates from cash on hand. Laveallo--
Rebate must be confidential. Wood
path--Interstate commerce commits
sion."
Here there was a ripple Of laughter
among the shippers present. The in
terstate Commerce Commission smiled.
Mr.. Streychkmans continued:
"Woodprint-Avoid service Of sum-
m <ns from interstate commerce COM
mission"
The laughter grew more audible.
"Footnot-Meet Interstate Commerce
Clements of Georgia. Imprintings-
]. c. Yeomens. Imprison--Chas. A..
Prouty. Improbitas-J. W. Fifer
Improbity-A. r. Moseley."
When the code words standing for
the names of the Interstate Commerce
commissioners were read, laughter and
handclapping among the shippers
caused Chairamn Clements to rap for
order.
Questioned regarding prices paid by
various railroads for icing cars, Mr..
Streyckmans replied: "The North
western billed ice at 81 ton. That
furnished by the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul was billed at $3.50 with a
rebate Of, 81 being granted on counter
claim. In the case Of the Erie 1t was
$1.25. This gave large profits to the
Armour lines"
Showing what he claimed to be dis
elimination among shippers, Streyck-
mans declared that F1rrner-L Lieut. Coy
AIdon Anderson OF California paid DO
per cent Of the traffic rate on his ship
ments.
among those who received more
than a so per cent rebate" said the
witness, "Were Frank H. Buck of San
Francisco the Earl Fruit company, the
Porter Bros. Co., the Producers Fruit
company and others. Those who paid
and received less than so per cent
rebate were Stephens and Humphreys,
s. R. Roper, Schnadel Bros, George
D. kellogg and others"
He said the net cost of ice to the
Armour Car line on the New York
Central was 50 a ton, on the West
Shore roads $3.50 a ton, on the Balti-
more & Ohio $3.50 ton, on the Penn
sylvania lines 50, and $3.50 a ton.
Streyckmans declared that the profits
to the Armour lines on the icing ran
as high as 500 to 600 per cent.
1.-THE profits per car on shipments
from California to New York" said the
witness, "were on an average of $685."
On cross examination Streyckmans
declared that George B. Robbins, pres
ident of the Armour Car lines had at
tempted to secure the papers and code,
the witness had in his possession, by
threats
As no witnesses were offered in de-
Tense Of the Armour Car lines, Chair
man Clements announced at the con-
clusion Of streyckmans, testimony that
the commission could remain in session
no longer because Of business which
would occupy its attention in Washing
ton. 1t was then arranged by agree
ment Of the representatives of the
shippers, the car lines and the commits
sion that further hearing Of the In
vestigation should be set at a future
date. The time and place for the con-
tinuation Of the inquiry was not de-
cided upon, but will be announced later
by the commission.